My whirlwind start headlined by Great Jones County Fair

Whew!

My first few weeks as editor of your hometown newspaper have gone by in a flash. I certainly anticipated working through some growing pains and having daily drinks from a firehose, but the days have sped by.

The last two weeks in June were just the beginning. I spent plenty of time in the office under the helpful tutelage of Pete Temple, who showed me the ins and outs of how things work around here. But, I also wanted to devote a good amount of time to exploring Monticello, the county, and the folks who make this community what it is.

This activity was enjoyable, but there are now a lot of names bouncing around in my head.

And now we’re solidly into July, and suddenly, the fair’s here.

Whew!

Some of those people who I met over the course of my first couple weeks suggested I would have been smarter to hold off starting here at the Express until after the Great Jones County Fair was over. I think they were kidding. Though there are times when I see their point.

Fair time is a big deal, and rightfully so. It’s a boon for area businesses, helps put Monticello on the map and provides a nice outlet for our area youngsters to show off the fruits of all their hard work and talents as well as the live music, delicious (hopefully cold) beverages and camaraderie that come with it.

And for us at the Express, it’s a time for photos. Lots of photos.

If you are reading this on Wednesday afternoon, I’m probably hanging out with some dairy cattle. Or, if it’s Thursday, you’ll find me among swine.

And I won’t be alone. Most Express staffers – as well as some valuable helpers – will be on the fairgrounds routinely over the next handful of days.

I’m currently in the business of meeting everyone, so don’t be a stranger if you see me on the grounds! Just don’t be offended if I need to leave our conversation to snap a photo of an unruly sow.

Once all that running around wraps up, we will put together our annual fair keepsake edition that will run with the Aug. 6 paper. Be sure to pick one up. We’re sure proud of it.

And once that’s off to the press, it’s back to regular business and more new people to meet.

Whew!

 Calendar on the way

I believe a community newspaper serves many purposes: It provides a place for civil public discourse; It holds those who hold the purse strings to taxpayer funds accountable for their actions; it tells community stories; and it serves as an archive system for area history.

It also provides a public service.

One new – well, returning – element to the Express will be our community calendar, which will run weekly starting soon. Our vision is for the calendar to serve as a one-stop shop for all the goings-on around the area: car shows, city council meetings, Monticello Main Street events and much more. And we need your help beefing it up.

See the ad on page 4 explaining everything you need to know about our calendar, including information on how to submit the events you’re passionate about.

As newsprint is finite, we can never guarantee how many events can run on a given week. But we will endeavor to do the best we can to publish at least the next seven days’ worth of places to be and things to do.

And as always, stay in touch. Since I’m still new around here, my ears are always open to suggestions and story leads. Reach me anytime at news@monticelloexpress.net, call (319) 465-3555 or drop in the office.