Becky Long Publisher/Editor Clay County Progress
Have you ever had a song playing in your head that you couldn’t think away, throw away or pay someone to take away. “Baby Shark” used to be mine.
Lately all I can think of is Neil Young’s song, “There Comes a Time.” That’s probably because my time has come – not in the 6 ft. under kind of way, but in the gonna spread my wings kind of way.
As of Friday, I will no longer serve as editor and publisher of the Clay County Progress. It’s a title I’m proud to have answered to for 34 years as publisher and almost 40 years as editor, chief broom sweeper and head of the complaint department.
I’ve decided to see what life outside the printed word, deadlines and “Left Wing!” or “Right Wing!” media accusation might be like. Actually, those labels never bothered me. A label can’t replace what’s inside a person and besides, I have no desire to control anyone’s thoughts. I came to love those people, too.
I can tell you my career and life at this newspaper has been nothing short of spectacular.
Perhaps grooming a newspaper is like having a baby — after its grown you forget about the icky dirty diapers and long hard nights and just remember the good times.
It’s a joy being a part of something that matters, that has matured into a living, breathing thing that has character, integrity, a fun, kind, talented and independent staff and a bunch of readers and contributors pushing it forward in life.
In 1987 when I walked through the door of the newspaper office where Sonja Silvers Realty is now, I came in to subscribe. I asked, “You don’t need any help, do you?”
Then editor, Louise Clements said, “Can you start Monday?”
I really wanted to take a few weeks off before starting a new job, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to work in a small-town paper. I’m glad I came back that Monday morning. The career I would have never known was waiting for me.
The experiences I’ve lived through at the newspaper were wonderfully crazy. I ate lunch with Gov. Zell Miller at the Governor’s Mansion, got hypnotized on stage in Anderson Music Hall, found myself at the bottom of a nasty dunk tank on several occasions, started a Christmas Parade with about four small floats in tow and rode a bull during the rodeo (well, I tried).
Together you and I have experienced a lot of history in this county. Remember how people were divided on politics, the first vote on the sale of alcohol, building the new courthouse and jail complex, living through COVID, among other controversies?
No matter the controversy, in Clay County — neighbors are always neighborly. All it takes is hearing about someone being sick or experiencing a death in the family and the casseroles and fried chicken are packed up, ready to be delivered to our beloved friends because in the South, food soothes the soul.
Something else that soothed my soul was surrounding myself with good people throughout my career. To say I’ve been blessed with the best people from start to finish is an understatement. I won’t name them because there are too many, but each of you is responsible for the success of the Clay County Progress and our professional, yet caring relationship with our community.
I am lucky that my daughter Gracie will remain here at the newspaper selling ads. She grew up in this business so it's fitting that she is staying and doing what she knows. Stop by and see her and Midge and Debbie in the office.
I do want to thank Weaver Carringer. He was our regional publisher and at the helm of the Cherokee Scout for many years. Weaver had enough confidence in my young soul to promote me to publisher. Without his support, my career would probably be a different story that you would have never read about.
There’s nothing I can say to truly express my humble appreciation and love to all of you, so I’ll just say use another song lyric. "I’ve had the time of my life and I’d do it all again."
Becky Long
Publisher/Editor
Clay County Progress