My first column: Let’s get out there to support community
I was 22 years old when I first had a desk at the Argus Leader, joining the night desk as a copy editor.
It was May of 2005, but I quickly learned I had to always dress like it was January. I’m pretty sure every newsroom is cold.
I had just graduated from college — as in the leftover slices from my graduation cake were still in the fridge — and my desk had a fish on it named Emmie Dash. I was so thrilled to be there, so proud and eager, and that is how I feel as I return today.
Back then, the newsroom was so crowded, I had to squeeze into a corner of the night desk, near Pat and Nathaniel, Tim and Melissa and Todd.
These were the ones who pulled out menus from their desk drawers every Saturday night to enjoy take-out together in the conference room (which also had the sink and the microwave and where they often hosted surprise wedding showers and baby showers and, less often, farewells).
On the Fourth of July, we would sneak onto the roof to watch the fireworks, and on most weeknights, we’d take turns hosting poker nights after we read through first run around 11:30 p.m.
It was an absolute heyday, having a byline and incredibly talented editors and a seat in most afternoon meetings. What an honor it is to be a journalist.
Today, a lot has changed for me and for you. This community now has veteran journalists – many of whom are dear former colleagues I was privileged to work with – who have commenced many other news platforms for our community, while my new Argus Leader colleagues continue to be proudly among these gallant publications.
From what I see in this quaint office that still looks and smells like any newsroom would – there’s got to be take-out menus here somewhere – these reporters work harder than ever before and support one another in ways only a small team can do.
No matter the hustle, they show up, and I’m inspired by this young team.
I would like to say this loudly: The Argus Leader is still here, and I feel honored to have joined a family who is honored to maintain dedication to its readership and investment in its community.
For my beat, I intend to cover events, culture, and trending activities in our Sioux Falls community, and I hope to use this weekly column as a space to not only encourage you to get out and enjoy those things, but to share why I think that matters and to immerse myself into a thriving culture as much as I want you to.
I’ll start with this weekend, when the Barb Iverson Skate Park is alas opening, Palisades State Park will open 77 new campsites, there is still a new lion at the zoo, there will be a tribute to Queen at the Pav, and downtown will host a walking tour on the history and best restaurants to support.
I find it encouraging that a local skate park will welcome professional skaters while a local state park has more than tripled in size for families to keep hiking and roasting marshmallows. Must you need any other type of weekend to validate how splendid and flourishing is your home?
I am a romantic, and there are always pain points of course, but our culture here just keeps getting better, because we work together to make it so.
What a treasure we have here. Keep going!
I am so proud to return to local journalism, and I am grateful for the newsroom family who first inspired me 20 years ago. Just as news is a constant for every community, so, too, is a journalist’s unabated fervor to cover it.
Let’s get out there.
Originally published in the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
