Sixteen years ago, on October 4, 1999, I climbed aboard the roller coaster that is community newspaper journalism when I took on the role of editor of the Cook County Star. It’s been a heck of a ride. It comes to a stop this week. On October 7, 2016, I’m hanging up my editorship of the Cook County News-Herald.
I’ve learned a lot in those 16 years, about journalism and about our community.
That first issue of the Cook County Star—just eight pages in size—was thrilling to produce. I learned how exciting it could be to capture catastrophe. That October 11 issue features a front page story about a float plane crash landing on Devil Track Lake. Publisher Hal Kettunen got pictures of Brian Olsen and Peter Schliep on a pontoon boat, helping retrieve the damaged plane.
Writing up that article, I had my first lesson in how hard it is to get information from government agencies and that not everyone wants to be interviewed. I tracked down the pilot’s name and phone number, hoping to get a quote from him about the incident. No such luck. When he heard I was from the newspaper, he crossly said “no comment” and hung up in my ear.
When that first issue hit the newsstands, I was mortified that there was a typo on the front page. In fact, there were typos on almost every one of those eight pages. I learned that the editor has to read every word that goes into the paper and I learned that you cannot proofread a newspaper on a computer screen. Over the years I’ve learned that there is no such thing as too many proofreaders!
The Star was welcomed enthusiastically by the public. Publishers Hal and Deidre Kettunen offered the new newspaper to counter the old Cook County News-Herald, which had been purchased by a media conglomerate. The goal of the Cook County Star was to represent the interests of the local community.
I learned a new vocabulary word when a reader at the Star’s one-year anniversary celebration said the Star was the “populist paper.” I’m a bit embarrassed to say I didn’t know what that meant off hand. I had to pull out the dictionary and when I did I was pleased to see that populist meant “seeking to represent the interests of ordinary people.”
It was a joy to be editor of the people’s paper. The Cook County Star continued to be that through its nine years and I continued my on-the-job training. There were definitely some bumps along the way. I turned to the Minnesota Newspaper Association attorney for advice more times than I can count. I learned more than I ever wanted to know about slander and I eventually learned the best way to explain to people that no, they cannot call their neighbor that libelous name and get away with it. At least not in print.
It has been many years and I still haven’t completely mastered the skill, but I learned that I should not take comments from readers personally. Unless it is an article about receiving an award or a photo of great fish, few people like to see their names and faces in print. When someone yells at me— or stops talking to me—I try to remind myself that people are angry at themselves, if it was their foolishness that led them to being news. Or sometimes I become a symbol of their sadness when a family tragedy becomes news.
One thing I learned that I am most proud of is that all stories need balance. It has been interesting through the years to attend meetings with government officials and members of the public commenting on a controversial topic. It is a challenge to capture the quotes that show both sides of the story. When we hear from readers on opposite ends of the spectrum and both sides are happy that their story was told, it had balance. Likewise, if both factions are angry and claim the “other guy” got better press, it was balanced.
When the Kettunens bought the “old” News- Herald in 2008, I thought I had mastered being an editor and I was pretty confident. However, there were still lessons. Being the only newspaper in the county offering “hard news” means being busier than ever.
Truthfully, I don’t think a person can ever learn all they need to know about being the editor of a community newspaper. There is always something happening in our active and diverse community. Each story brings something new and exciting to learn while writing or editing.
But one thing I’ve learned that will always stay with me is that Cook County is filled with people who care. Our citizens are extremely involved and interested in the news; in what is happening in the community. And, the North Shore is inhabited by generous and caring people who have helped us bring the News-Herald to life for all these years.
I’ve learned that it takes a village to produce a newspaper and in this last Unorganized Territory for the News- Herald, I want to send out a huge thank you to our Cook County village. Thank you to the teachers and parents who shared school news and sports photos. Thanks to the weather contributors, especially for the “fun weather facts.” Thanks to all the nonprofit organizations who share their activities with the public through our upcoming events page. Thanks to the photographers who allow their amazing work to grace our pages. Thanks to the people who call with tips about stories that we might otherwise have missed.
The Cook County Star and Cook County News-Herald would not have been such a great experience if not for the wonderful coworkers I’ve had throughout the years—the late Don Robinson, Shem Falter, Joy Saethre, Jim Ringquist, the late Pat Ciochetto, Jane Howard, Andy Brostrom, Steve Fleace, Mary Kay Fleace, Abby Fincel.
I’m also so grateful to the great folks who have submitted columns over the years. I’ve learned a lot from them. I’ll miss being the first person who gets to read their thoughts—thanks Joan Crosby, Sandy Holthaus, Cory Christianson, all the senior news writers, Sue Hennessy at the Grand Marais Playhouse, and all of our spiritual leaders.
I’ll especially miss the crew I’m leaving behind—Bill Neil, Laurie Johnson, and Brian Larsen. I’ll miss the late nights, the last-minute frustrations, and all the silly gallows-humor jokes. Thanks for all your hard work. Best wishes as your ride continues.
Writing this final column is bittersweet. I’m looking forward to my new adventure with the news team at WTIP Community Radio, but looking back at the lessons learned during my years at the newspaper, I know I’ll miss it. I’ll miss all of you. Stay in touch. Stay tuned!
I would maintain that thanks are the
highest form of thought; and that
gratitude is happiness doubled by
wonder.
G.K. Chesterton
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