Alas, poor Europe, I knew it well. A continent of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy. Where be your gibes now? Your gambols? Your songs? Your flashes of merriment?
Read more[ Mitchell is a reporter for The Daily Signal and co-host of “The Daily Signal Podcast.”] Fire-ravaged California is grappling with the threat of floods, mudslides, and toxic ash this week as the state’s embattled leaders face more questions about their decision to dismantle an emergency response volunteer firefighting unit—and now attempt to erase its existence.
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My older cousin David Reid who is now retired out of the newspaper industry, successfully operated and published several daily newspapers in this state for many years. He remains the best newspaper advertising salesman I have ever known. David told me many years ago that the primary job of a good newspaper is to be a tireless cheerleader for the people and businesses of the community and area it serves. His father, my dad’s oldest brother Ken Reid, told me the same thing many years ago when I interned one summer at his newspaper in Weatherford when I was still in journalism school at OU in the early 80’s. Ken was 10 years older than my dad. He passed away a few months ago. Meanwhile, my dad, Gary Reid, is still down here working with us at least five days a week. He will turn 89 this April. Ken was 98 when he passed away after a long, happy, prosperous and healthy life. We should all be so lucky. Both were raised on the family farm in Jackson County, three miles north of Altus. Both also earned university degrees and went on become topnotch newspaper men in the state. Ken was still mentally as sharp as a tack up until a couple of years ago when dementia finally got him. My dad continues to be mentally and physically in great health. We are blessed to have him with us daily. I don’t ever forget that, because I realize that won’t always be the case. Both my dad and Uncle Ken gave words of advice freely, and both have been a treasure of information over the years. My cousin Phillip, who is a couple of months younger than me, is Ken’s youngest child. He was at OU at the same time I was, and he has gone on to be the most successful of us all in the Oklahoma newspaper industry. At last count, I think Phillip and his wife Jeanne Ann publish a dozen newspapers across the state. Newspapers in large markets have been in decline for several years, but county seat newspapers continue to prosper when the publisher and staff are willing to work hard to put out a good product. Phillip has successfully maneuvered through the transition from newspapers being traditional print-only businesses, into ones that “monetize” the digital side of their markets as well. Michael Swisher, our editor, has a pretty solid handle on that side of the business. Now we’re gonna find out if old dogs can truly learn new tricks, as this newspaper is transitioning into that direction. We should be well along that path before 2025 is finished. Phillip, like me, is 65 years old. He tells me he has no plans of retirement because he enjoys what he does so much. I, on the other hand, have no plans of retirement, because I still need to make a living for quite a few more years. Regardless, I still enjoy coming to work 5-1/2 days a week, and I also enjoy interacting with the wonderful people of this community and county. Much like this particular column, these past 42-plus years in Kingfisher has been a mostly pleasant rambling experience. We’ve been blessed with great friends, workmates, customers and neighbors.
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Sen. Tom Coburn’s Book
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Spending money you don’t have quickly leads to financial instability. That’s obvious to anyone who has balanced a family budget. Yet Oklahoma politicians appear intent on ignoring that reality.
Read more[ Casey Harper is a senior reporter for the Washington, D.C., bureau of The Center Square.]
Read more[ George Caldwell is a journalism fellow at The Daily Signal. Send an email to George.]
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