So kudos to Jim Sampas of the great tribute label Reimagine Music for honoring someone every bit as deserving as your Springsteen or Nirvana: Bessie Smith. Lord knows that problem in the music industry stretches far beyond the tribute world, but you’d hope a format based on celebrating deserving artists would look farther beyond the typical classic-rock canon. If I forgot anyone it was not on purpose this is a hard thing to write.Go back to the beginning The Empress of the Blues: A Tribute to Bessie SmithĪs I discussed in my book, the world of tribute albums leans very male and very white. There are too many people to thank from when the Melfort Journal office existed from Ken Sorenson to everyone in the back they made the job a fun one. I wouldn’t have become an award winning photographer after having no experience before I came without everything.Īs well with the recent transitions I wouldn’t have survived without current editor Susan McNeil and Heather Persson at the Star Phoenix. Everybody in the group helped me grow as a writer because of what they brought. The editorial staff has seen great reporters such as Shelley Tomlinson, Kirby Hardwick, Byron Hackett and Joshua Santos. I want to thank Greg Wiseman for taking a chance on me in 2007 and always being a great editor and guide as I figured things out. We have lost our office and our printing press and now as I leave I work from my apartment as the lone employee in Melfort. Over the years it has gradually dwindled down to what is now the Journal. We started out publishing the Melfort Journal, Northeast Sun and Kinistino-Birch Hills Post-Gazette. Over the years the editorial department went through many changes. Now I will be Prince Albert Catholic and Sask Rivers School Division’s problem. I have to miss the February meeting but board chair Luke Perkins met me recently and acknowledged that they will miss me. It was more than that as over time I have become a bit of a walking encyclopedia of history at the board table. Coming from a long line of teachers I thought it would be an interesting topic. When I missed it I knew I was in trouble with Kendra Tegstrom for that or something at all times.Īll of the elementary schools were good to me but Maude Burke was special.Įarly in my time at the Journal I moved on to covering the North East School Division board meetings and therefore education. As well they made the “Water Fun Activity” (water fight) something to look forward to each year. I can’t leave without mentioning Maude Burke School, they adopted me and I have always loved my visits at the school. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And Mavis Peters and the whole front staff were always helpful and appreciated that I followed the check in rules. When I was in a bind I could always do things by email if necessary which was a lifesaver. Principal Jerry Heffernan and all of the teachers who coached or helped me out in any way will always be special. That expanded into covering other events and the recent addition of Team Drama. I saw countless championships by Comets’ teams including the recent senior girls’ basketball dynasty and the always strong Comets’ football program. Covering them also led to me being the SJHL Insider on the Bagskate Hockey Podcast which showed me that I can do more than write about hockey but also talk SJHL with no notes for up to an hour.įrom the start I was always covering stuff at MUCC. I lead with the Mustangs because I am constantly stopped for my opinion on the team. The Mustangs also deserve recognition for recognizing me at my last game as a reporter on Wednesday, February 11 by having a thank you announcement. By my calculations I attended about 400 Melfort Mustangs’ games, along with 11 awards banquets. From Darrell Mann to Trevor Blevins to all of the presidents and people involved they made it feel like less of a job. The people involved with the Melfort Mustangs were always good to me from the start. Like I wrote at the time not every reporter gets to cover a league champion let alone two. There are some that stick out in my mind like the Melfort Mustangs winning their first championship in 20 years and then repeating.