Just another work week (or was it?)

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It has been quite a while since I have posted to my blog this late in the week. Indeed, the last one I remember going live on a Friday was from this past June when I reflected on my one-year anniversary as a staff writer here at the Banner Graphic.

This is despite the last two posts having to go live on a Thursday due to my workload and other outside commitments, but that's the way it is sometimes in this job.

Regardless, I finally have some time to reflect on how this week has been in terms of events I've covered, and what I plan to write about when we come around again.

Despite the facetious title and picture, this week was one which we hope to have in the newsroom, even if it brings us right up to the deadlines. It was one which saw a interesting mix of true news and topics which more better the definition of a feature. For me, this week melded the wants and needs we have as small-town journalists.

Of course, last Monday was highlighted by the fire at Chiyoda U.S.A., which thankfully was contained to a paint booth and caused no injuries or any truly significant damage. While this was the main story for Tuesday morning, my only planned item was meeting with David L. English at Starbucks. This was before the scanner went crazy.

As someone I would consider to be an "old-school" DePauw graduate, I appreciated his perspective on how some connected to the university have invested in Greencastle, and what has compelled him to stay and serve this community as the new executive director of our local Habitat for Humanity. Look for that story this Saturday morning.

Though it is normally a "rest day" of sorts, Wednesday proved that you never know who you're going to come across in this business. I don't think that "interesting" quite covers my conversation with Russ Mobley, a walker who has trekked from central Florida and will end his journey in Chicago. It's a little more esoteric than that.

If someone didn't let us know he was at Starbucks, I wouldn't have written this story beyond the news which we can only objectively report. It wasn't just an opportunity to write a feel-good feature. To him, I wasn't a reporter out for a story, but someone willing to listen to his unique point of view. That's an essential aspect of the work I do.

The panel I attended at the Prindle Institute Thursday evening challenged the definition of media neutrality. It was more about the responsibility of journalists as gatekeepers of information, and with giving destructive prejudices any legitimacy. I'm grateful for these kinds of opportunities which DePauw provides to the community.

I know this one may seem like just a rundown of what happened, but I think us covering these events holds up a consistent theme. If we're open to what's going on around us, there's never a dull moment. This week encapsulated #SmallTownPR.