Bob Grylls
Somebody asked me if I was a Journalist. I had never thought of myself as one but later I became curious about if I was or was not.
A journalist is the first person on the scene to cover the breaking story, then investigates, collects and presents the information as a news story. Journalists are relied upon to present news in a well-rounded, objective manner.
My opportunity arose after early retirement and relocation back to the Valley. The Cobden Sun advertised for help and I was the only who applied. The odds were in my favour. I wasn’t referred to as a journalist in the more than the three years I was there but more often as a ‘Cub Reporter.’
Sometimes I felt the events I did cover were insignificant compared to others; school concerts seemed disorderly, carnivals where everyone emphasized their tattoos, flower shows – each one virtually the same as the shows previously, boisterous church suppers and the occasional anniversary that exhibited more discord than affection.
My first editor, Connie White Tabbert, always got the prominent or action stories. She captured more barn fires ablaze than I thought there were barns, almost as if she knew ahead of time. I on the other hand get to chat with everyday folk, hearing about their kids, learning about kayaking or interviewing someone that was a community volunteer. These people were like a magnet, piquing my interest.
I probably averaged three entries in the newspaper each week. However, they didn’t carry much weight outside of Whitewater. So, me as a Journalist was an overstatement. A true journalist is someone full-time with The Globe & Mail or the Ottawa Sun, not what I was doing. I managed to survive three editors despite dodging details of the job frequently with my cavalier style. Sometimes I took shortcuts or didn’t honour ‘off the record’ remarks. I reported on a woman who told me she was getting a divorce before her husband knew.
I also had a scheduling problem: Often, I was late or early for critical appointments, one week early for a Legion breakfast in Eganville, too late for a trivial pursuit night in Beachburg and absent for grad school pictures at the Cobden Public School.
I can finally confess. My apprehension of being retained at the Sun was like Velcro that sticks only so long, eventually needing replacement. I wasn’t presumptuous to think I could just carry on. My assignments varied but the lean weeks were stressful. until someone came up with the bright idea of me writing a juicy Tidbits column, based loosely on what Marie Zettler did as a former editor with the ‘Big Bend Banter’. Tidbits comprised a dozen or so human-interest clips in it. It caught the reader’s attention. Occasionally someone would say, “Oh no, don’t put it in the paper.” It did uncover a few hidden talents: a clandestine singer was exposed and became much in demand for his voice. Tidbit’s often allowed people to express an opinion that they had suppressed.
I recall when Mrs. Conroy from Westmeath, bless her soul, submitted the local news from Westmeath to the Cobden Sun from the 1940’s to the 60’s. Most people were enthused to see their name in print. Many would telephone Mrs. Conroy to say who was coming to visit, for instance.
I always had visions of being a big-time reporter covering hard news to feature stories involving sports and politics. The Cobden Sun made it a near reality, one that I cherish. It wasn’t really about me; it was about the many approachable people that I met and the pleasure to hear their personal stories.
One of my friends started his own gossip column literally, much racier than Mrs. Conroy’s. Karl Kelly would pass copies to students on the school bus heading for Pembroke each Monday morning. I daresay some of his comments might have been true but I doubt it. Despite being slanderous and hoping we weren’t mentioned, we always looked forward to his next work of art.
Good journalists cover an event with a skeptical eye but in my case, I tended to steer the story the way I wanted it to be. That got me into trouble more than once. I have had threats but not life-threatening ones. I do try to be more accurate with politicians – they have the power to get revenge.
Next week: A columnist with Whitewater News
