Monday, November 10, 2008

MAGICAL TOWN, MAGICAL NEWS




Since March of 2008, I've been writing a weekly column for the Adair County Free Press. It is located in the wonderful small town of Greenfield, Iowa. My parents and both sets of grandparents were from there and I still have relatives there. It's a magical place with a Town Square, quaint shops, friendly people and most of all....happy memories of my childhood summer vacations spent there. (As a small girl, I thought the newspaper was actually free, since it was called The Free Press! My dad explained the meaning of freedom of speech, and it was quite profound to me.)

The Free Press has been owned by the Sidey family since it's beginnings. Hugh Sidey was born and raised there and later worked for Life and Time magazines. He covered the presidents from Eisenhower to Clinton. Along with writing for the magazines, he also wrote several books. He wrote the text for a book of photography "These United States", photos by Fred J. Maroon. I own a hard cover edition of it and enjoy reading through it from time to time. The back cover contains a synopsis, which begins with his love for his home town of Greenfield, Iowa.

I am truly honored to write for this newspaper, with its rich history.