(Editor’s Notes by Christina Myer – Photo Illustration – MetroCreativeConnection)
Now that we are firmly into September, the pace at the newspapers quickens a little while we get ready for everything we’ve got planned for the next several months.
(Bearing in mind, of course, that most of the work we do is unplanned or it wouldn’t exactly be news, now, would it?)
In between all the good reporting, photography and analysis, now is the time for us to get ready for projects that are annual traditions for us and the Mid-Ohio Valley.
First up is Scary Stories, in the Marietta Times. Yes, Halloween is still almost two months away, but if we’re going to coax the spookiest artwork and most spine-tingling stories out of our local students, we’ve got to start working on the project now.
It is so much fun to get a window into kids’ creativity (even if some of it shows a proclivity toward some truly disturbing horror fiction) when we in the newsroom are judging their submissions.
But speaking of a fun project for which to be a judge, our annual cookbook contest is an incredibly fun day for us. That’s coming up in October, too. But those of you sitting on delicious recipes you’ve been reluctant to share should consider submitting them to us for consideration. Those chosen for participation in the cookbook tasting party will be part of a decades-long tradition that has yielded some truly incredible dishes for our cookbook. Time is running out, though. Please be sure to get us submissions soon, on that one.
While you’ve got food on your mind, don’t forget our annual food drives — I talked about those last week, but just a quick reminder: Sept. 13 at Walmart in Marietta and Oct. 18 at the News and Sentinel in Parkersburg.
There’s so much more going on here, but believe it or not planning has also begun for the Marietta Times Regional Spelling Bee. The event itself will be held in mid-March as always, but now is the time for me to start reminding schools to plan their school and district bees, confirm the venue and make sure the Scripps National Spelling Bee folks haven’t changed any details on me.
So in addition to encouraging students to write scary stories or draw creepy pictures, and kitchen wizards of all ages to give up their secrets, I’ll also quote the national bee on what this time of year means for them:
“More than 10 million students start a spelling bee journey every fall,” spellingbee.com notes. “Enroll your elementary or middle school in the Scripps National Spelling Bee program to give your students the words they need to shine their light on the world.”
It’s football season. Everyone is getting their feet under them in a not-so-new school year. Cooler temperatures and a few turning leaves are already upon us.
March seems like it is miles away — but it’s not. And between now and then we’ve got a lot for you (or your kids) to participate in.
(It’s a bonus if getting my thoughts organized for what needs to get done turns into the column I should have written and turned in yesterday …)
Get involved. If you’re not sure about adding something to your plate, just think about how much we’re looking forward to adding your recipes to ours.
Christina Myer is executive editor of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. She can be reached via e-mail at cmyer@newsandsentinel.com.
Dining and Cooking