My cousin Taya called me last week asking for a photo. My friend Bryant (Taya’s husband) died in October of 2022 and she and family were creating the headstone/footstone. They wanted to use a photo I took and wanted the original. I never thought when I took that photo or any photo for that matter, that it would be used this way. It was a really good photo. I think about my friend everyday. When I’m having a bad day I think it would be nice to see him. And when I’m having a good day, I want him there. It’s really hard to lose a lifelong friend.
On another personal note, I’ve been told Chris Schlaak is making progress in her recovery in Owatonna after her second stroke. When I know more, I’ll be sure to update folks.
Back to ‘newsing.’
Last Saturday Deb Bently and I went to visit the Root family in New Richland to learn about their family history which includes 5 brothers who all served in WWII.
Let me walk you through how I (and Deb) ended up in the Root household on this particular Saturday.
About a month ago Ron called me to tell me he about this hairbrained idea. “Well I have these five uncles…. And you’re always telling people to come to you with story ideas.”
So, after about 20 minutes, I knew the entire Root family history and was ready to sit down for the ‘extended version.’
Ron told me a lot would have to fall into place to make this happen, but small town folk have a way of making things fall into place.
About a week later I received a call from Colby Root, Ron’s cousin. He tells me he is going to South America and can’t make it down (from Alaska) for the interview. He goes on to tell me he would like to participate in the interview via phone. Another twenty minutes later and Colby has committed to write an individual article on each Root brother. (Colby is a published author.)
So, fast forward to Thursday, three days prior to interview day. Ron calls me and we agree, less people is better. Nona, a sister to the brothers, is 94 years old and Ron informs me that less people around for the interview would be less stressful for Nona.
My hands have been bothering me quite a bit as of late so I called Deb that afternoon and kindly requested she join me because I didn’t feel confident in my note taking abilities.
We arrived a few minutes after noon and before we walked in I ran into “Greg.” I asked if this was Ron because I’ve never met him in person. Nope, it was cousin Greg.
Of course.
I walk in and am surprised to find that Deb and I are being treated to lunch and a ‘mini’ family reunion. Those in attendance included” me and Deb, Nona, Ron, Buddy Root, his wife, Greg Jewison, Kathy (Nona’s daughter) and three others via phone call.
We had a splendid time.
Three hours later, two full belly’s and many stories later, my Saturday afternoon was complete.
I’m grateful for opportunities like this. My dad called me this evening as I was putting the paper to bed and reminded me, “Don’t worry so much about making a living (working) that you forget to make a life.”
I guess my argument is that a job like the newspaper has the distinct advantage of accomplishing both feets at the same time.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Root’s for accepting us into their home and sharing their story with me, and beginning in May, our readers.
“I think all good reporting is the same thing – the best attainable version of the truth.” — Carl Bernstein