Special to The Record, one last time

So, today marks the end of my second summer working at The Sherbrooke Record. It all goes by so fast! I am so lucky to have had a job that pays me to write and learn and meet tons of interesting people. But all good things come to an end, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was looking forward to having a few weeks off before starting my second year at Bishop’s.

When I first started at The Record, I was kind of a mess. I was so nervous! I remember Sharon Mccully, my boss, coming up to me at 10 a.m. on my first day and saying: “call these people, I want the article done by three”. Immediate panic. Keeping up to date on everything that goes on, calling people, interviewing them, taking notes, asking for photos, taking photos, going to events, writing stories, accurately representing people within those stories… It’s a lot. It’s exciting, it’s interesting and now, I find it fun-but it’s stressful.

But I think some stress can be beneficial. One professor at Bishop’s, Dr. Riddell, (who is spectacular, by the way) once told my class that being uncomfortable is good. Being stressed out is good. It means you’re growing, progressing. Not too much stress, but just enough to make you adapt. That’s what The Record did for me. It challenged me, took me out of my comfort zone.

I’m one of those people, like probably a lot of others, who kind of live in a bubble, without realizing it. Especially us students, I think. We come in for the school year and we stick to campus. You party, sure; you go out sometimes, but that doesn’t mean you get to know Lennoxville. That doesn’t mean you get to know how freaking awesome the Townships really are. The Record got me to find that out.

I didn’t get to physically experience reporting like some people do. I don’t have a car, so that meant I got my daily dose of exercise (not to mention a farmer’s tan) walking to and from work every day, and it meant that I did a lot of my work via telephone. By working from my desk, I perhaps didn’t visit a lot of country, but I did get to hear people’s stories, and that’s what I loved. Listening to the people that make the Townships what they are.

The beauty, innovation and sense of community found here is pretty special. We’ve got an Olympic competitor, we’ve got two brothers kayaking down the Mississippi to raise environmental awareness, we’ve got new zero-waste initiatives, we’ve got local professors discovering new systems in our galaxy, we’ve got spectacular theatrical productions and artists and musicians and so many social programs I can’t list them all. Would I have ever known this without calling them, meeting them, getting their stories out there? Probably not.

I’ve got to say, I have had some favorite stories over my two summers. Some were happy, some sad. Some of them were hard to write.

I remember my Scotstown article, from my first year at The Record, fondly. It was probably the first story I felt comfortable writing, I really got into ‘the zone’ with that one for the first time. I think that’s when I realized I preferred sharing people’s stories rather than sinking my teeth into some hard-hitting news. That year I also loved spending time with the O.W.L.S. at the community center, and I adored interviewing Lynne Ann and Violet, two wonderful ladies living with Scleroderma. If they are reading this, I hope they are well. My story ‘The Brave Ones’ is extremely close to my heart as well. I think of Serena every day.

This year I’ve had more memorable talks with our lovely community members. I’m thinking of Jan Draper, for her writing workshop, or Mead Baldwin, for his drama camp. But my favorite story this year must have been the Lion’s 45th Anniversary article. Stan and Kevin and Glenys are all joys to talk to, and hearing about all the crazy stories that have taken place in the big yellow pub just made the ol’ watering hole sound all the more integral to Lennoxville. If ever that place closes it’ll be a big loss.

Really though, what makes The Record awesome is how sweet the entire crew is. Just ask Steve; he left a few months ago, but can’t seem to stay away. I’ll miss his little drop-in visits. Matthew and Gordon are so helpful and understanding. They’re both fantastic reporters, and I’m glad I got to work alongside them. And of course, there’s Anne, Janet, Laurie, Sam and Caroline, who make coming into work not a chore, but fun.

The Record helped me not only grow as a writer (when I first showed up I could not, for the life of me, use the right form of ‘its’) and as a person, but it gave me the opportunity to get to know the community I’m now a part of. I’ll forever be grateful to Sharon for giving me this opportunity. If you’re an aspiring journalist, The Record, with its 100-plusyears of existence, is the place you want to start, take it from me.

So, with that, thank you, and farewell! Maybe one day you’ll read me again, but until then, take care.