The Last in a Series of Idiocy

 It was a couple of years ago that then Oldham Era general manager Julie Satterly encouraged me to write my first column for the paper. 

She knew I enjoyed writing, even though my role as advertising manager primarily called on me to be good with numbers. I had a hard time imagining that anyone would be interested in anything I had to say. I decided to write about what brought me to Oldham County 10 years prior, but how I really didn’t feel connected to the community until I started working for The Oldham Era after a career primarily based in downtown Louisville. I turned it in to Julie, thinking she would tell me that maybe her asking me to write a column wasn’t such a good idea after all.  She caught me in the hall later that day and told me that she “loved the column.” Huh? Really? I mean, it was just kind of stream of consciousness stuff that no one could ever debate.  She said that people read the paper for all sorts of reasons, and to read a column like mine was one of them.  Cool. My first lesson in journalism. Since then I’ve written several hard-hitting pieces, including controversial topics such as hot weather, coaching and the curious life cycle of the cicada. I always felt like the paper was humoring me in some way by letting me write, but I never failed to receive a handful of really nice comments from folks who I had connected with. I’ve recently taken on a new role with The Oldham Era’s parent company, Landmark Community Newspapers. This keeps me busy with Jefferson County advertisers who wish to reach readers of newspapers in surrounding counties, including The Oldham Era.  It was a quick transition and my only regret is that I didn’t have an opportunity to personally tell everyone I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with over the past few years.  In my last days at the paper, I visited and called as many people as time allowed. These visits and calls turned to personal e-mails, then sadly to mass e-mails. Some people are finding out as they read this column. Ugh. Oldham County is where I lay my head at night. It’s where my wife and I are raising our daughter, and where she is getting her education. It’s where I cut my lawn. It’s the home of my North Oldham High School Lady Mustangs softball team. And though I’m back to turning left out of my subdivision to go to work, the bonds I’ve made here will never end.  Thanks for everything and please stay in touch.