Happy Thanksgiving to HCP readers and advertisers 

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

What happened to the months of September and October? Anyone?

Seems like only a few weeks ago I was sitting along the L.A. Gulf waters in the Yellowhammer State. Well, actually, I was – just this month, in fact. Still, it seems like our annual Labor Day week trip was not more than two months ago, but it was.

This is Thanksgiving week, and I suppose many of us have much for which to be thankful. As I've gotten older, I am much more aware of my elders' advice to be grateful for each day. Indeed, every day is a gift from a gracious God.

So are all of my family members – and extended family members. And, yes, that includes the folks who put up with me each week in The HCP office. Granted, they do not see as much of me as they once did, as I have reduced my hours – if only a little. And, no, I am not retiring. Just pacing myself!

As I've said and written many times over these past 16-plus years at The Highland County Press, I am thankful to work with the best people in the business. 

I am also thankful for all of our wonderful columnists, including Jim Thompson, Steve Roush, Christine Tailer, Fr. Mike Paraniuk, Randy Butler, and Andy and Renie Bowman. (My apologies to anyone I may have missed. I'm getting old, you know.)

We are also fortunate to have many contributing writers and photographers, and here is where it gets real tricky if I start naming them. Without a doubt, I'll forget some of our most frequent contributors – and again, I apologize in advance. 

I am reminded of a phrase in Latin used by the late, great William F. Buckley: Si unum nominas, omnia nominas. If you name one, name everyone. Obviously, I won’t name everyone, but without our great team, there would not be a locally owned and operated newspaper in Highland County. We are the one and only. We're Uncas. And I do not anticipate any more area start-ups in the newspaper business. (Maybe in Meigs County, I hope, but I digress.)

However, please allow me to mention just a few people. 

Jimmy Jones has been covering McClain sports for us for years. He and Liz are a great team, and they know all the coaches and most of the student-athletes. 

Angela Shepherd reports on the GEVS District news and always does a fine job. 

Nellda Friend is a Leesburg news contributor, and she has bailed me out on occasion, including when I could not cover Gov. Mike DeWine's recent visit to Fairfield Local Schools. (See Yellowhammer State above.)

Jane Stowers, Jennifer West and Pat Lawrence always come through with timely community news, too. 

Our HCP print edition is printed by the Maysville Ledger Independent. Jennifer Donahue and her team have always taken great care of our weekly publication. We appreciate everyone at the Ledger.

All of our friends who have advertised with The HCP since we purchased it almost two decades ago are greatly appreciated. 

I'll mention just two men (promise), who approached me on two separate occasions back when our office was on West Main Street. 

The first was longtime local Realtor Marvin Wilson, who walked into my office and purchased a full-page ad when we first bought the newspaper. Marvin really did not need that ad – and we both knew it. But being a longtime businessman, he also realized what a start-up owner was up against. He wanted to help.

I shared this story with our mutual friend, Alberta Morgan, today at the Hillsboro Post Office. I told her what Marvin said that day 16 years ago: "I want to make a statement by supporting you." 

Marvin did not need that ad anymore than he needed a cold Pepsi-Cola. He was not too concerned about the content, either. He just said for Angie to work it up and send him a bill. (And, yes, she did!)

That same year, the late Charley Stevens of Stevens Hardware in Greenfield, stopped by our office. He wanted to place a full-page ad, and he also somewhat scolded me for not making a personal sales call. I explained that I was knee-deep in an alligator swamp (to borrow a phrase from Phil Roberts). 

Stevens Hardware has been an advertiser ever since. Thanks be to Charley and Lynn.

Lastly, and most importantly, we owe our most sincere thanks to you – everyone who reads and supports our newspaper and our website. Without our readers and advertisers, we could not possibly provide this essential community service. 
        
We greatly appreciate your continued support. It has not always been a smooth and easy ride, but we’re still here.
        
Lord willing, and the creeks don’t rise, we’ll keep doing what we do. Here’s to a few more Thanksgivings – or more.
        
Thanks, everyone.

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press, Highland County's only locally owned and operated newspaper.