My first professional job after graduating from college with a journalism degree, was social editor of the Courier Democrat newspaper in Russellville. Actually I had to work my way up to the position after being the proofreader, obituary writer and big vegetable photographer.
My training for being a social editor began when I was in about the second grade and I would read the Daily Times Herald newspaper in Forrest city. Katherine Leftwich, who had that title and may still have, could make a wiener roast sound as though it had happened at the Waldorf. I became addicted to her reporting style and believed with all my heart that people wouldn’t remember their party or wedding as it actually was. Rather, they would remember it as Katherine reported it. Even when I got married (the first time) I was described in the Times Herald as a “regal and radiant bride.” It was printed in the newspaper, so it must have been true.
I had hoped to bring this Old South style of writing to the citizens of Russellville. Well do I remember the time I tried to dress up a rather dull report of a cemetery decoratin’. This is an event that happens in great abundance in that part of the world. Fans of and family members with ties to various cemeteries gather for casseroles and fellowship while they decorate the graves of loved ones.
A written report from a foreign correspondent, that being defined as someone who lived near Clarksville, told me of a large Polish family gathering at their rural cemetery of choice. It was mentioned that there was live music. In a moment of divine inspiration I envisioned and wrote about the polka band and the dancing. A good time was had by all.
I still remember the distraught family member who set me straight on how the event really was. That was in 1975 and she told me she would never EVER get over the embarrassment of having the local folks think her family would allow dancing at a cemetery decoratin’. I’m sure she still lives in shame because of my overzealous efforts to improve upon her event, no matter how much I apologized and even though I offered to write a retraction and post it on a prominent bulletin board at the local Wal-Mart.
The bottom line here is that having learned by doing, I pledge to stick to the facts and report your parties and events as they really happen. If I become a little too “east Arkansas” in my interpretation, I’m sure you will let me know. I hope at some point too, you will understand if I feel compelled to write with absolute assurance about one of your events, “A good time was had by me.”
Becki Moore
Editor’s letter, March 26, 2002, Vol. 1, Issue 2