Two years ago, if you asked me where I would be in the great state of Mississippi – I would have said Pontotoc.
But when opportunity knocks, you better open the door. My husband, Paul and I left Pontotoc in a cloud of dust when he was hired at his alma mater of Ethel High School.
And before we could get settled into our house, I was hired as news editor.
I joked to my co-workers that my first Monday at The Star-Herald I was pretty sure we weren’t going to have a paper!
There were two reasons, 1. I hadn’t written a story in seven years and 2. the news cupboard was bare.
As luck would have it, I had intern Matthew Breazeale ready to do my bidding, I managed to write one story and find all the pieces of the puzzle that make the newspaper.
It was a crazy two days.
The best source
I am also fortunate to have a source for all things Kosciusko and all things Attala County sitting right next to me at work – Ms. Nancy.
She has steered me in the right direction on more than one occasion. She knows everyone and everyone knows her.
Some of the nicest people
I will say I have lived a few places and felt like an outsider but, not here. I thank you all for making me feel like this was my home from the moment I arrived.
Everyone waves and says “Hello.”
It could be that they are my relatives through marriage because I believe that Paul is related to half the county. I appreciate it all the same.
I like getting your feedback – both good and bad. If you don’t have both, you aren’t doing your job.
Since y’all have put up with me for the last two years, I planned to stick it out for a few more to come!
Leslie N. Dees is the news editor of The Star-Herald. Email her at editor@starherald.net or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lndees
