My 20 years with the Brandon Sun

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/12/2024 (275 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The end of the year prompts thoughts of the past year. For me, I am also reflecting on my 20 years as a columnist with the Brandon Sun.

Sun general manager Bill Chester first approached me with the idea. Somehow Chester got the impression that I could write a column for the paper. He had a vision of slices of sparkling observation, reflection and humour. Editor Grant Hamilton came up with the versatile title “Citizen Active.”

When I began this column I was the general manager of the Westman Recycling facility. That morphed into consulting projects in the recycling and waste management field. Now semi-retired, I do some writing, editing and other work.

But whatever is going on with the rest of my life, regular columns continue. How do I find the ideas and the time to write them? Simple: deadines. Deadlines create time, energy and inspiration. In short, I write what I myself would want to read. And I hope others would want to read, too.

I especially enjoy the beginning and the ending phases of column production. In the beginning there is time to ponder some notions, jot down a few musings and relax in the joy of procrastination.

Then there is the ending: mulling over a draft and wondering how it could be enhanced. Substituting a word or turn of phrase that might suit better. And casting aside excess words, sentences or whole paragraphs. I savour the thought of a reader appreciating a bon mot and glad they didn’t have to plow through what I clipped away — the redundant, the awkward and the impenetrable.

The hard part is in between the beginning and the ending. This is where a blank page or a jumble of thoughts must be transformed into something worthy of polishing. That is the hard part — you know, the actual writing!

My wife Meg reads every column in draft form and provides useful feedback. Her best critiques are when she asks, “What the heck are you trying to say here?” I answer that I am just trying to say such-and-such. She will then reply, “OK, write that.”

Thank you to the Brandon Sun for this wonderful opportunity. It is an honour to be part of the community’s conversation and its historic paper of record.

Over the years, Sun staffers have been cordial and supportive. I feel like an “old-timer” when I recall their names, as most have retired or moved on. In addition to the aforementioned Chester and Hamilton, they have included managing editor James O’Connor, editorial page editor Robson Fletcher, copy editor Perry Bergson and currently managing editor Matt Goerzen.

And I would like to give a shout out to the copy editors who labour behind the scenes. They take my emailed submissions and prepare them for print — ensuring they meet Canadian Press standards and are accompanied by an apt headline. Often they are able to include an appropriate photo.

In 2007, Hamilton invited me to contribute to the 125-year anniversary edition of the Brandon Sun. That began my exploration of our local heritage. This has led to interesting research, numerous columns as well as historical walking tours in the older parts of the city and at the cemetery. Thanks to Tom Mitchell, BU archivist emeritus, and to Cora Lee Baker, Sandy Jasper and others at the City of Brandon for their help and encouragement.

While recollecting, I reviewed the column I wrote at the 10-year mark. The 10 years since have provided me with ample fuel for column writing, but have been worrying for myself as a citizen.

The world is more unsettled now. Some examples: our society is distracted and divided by anger, faulty information and conspiracy theories; youth – glued to social media – are anxious and depressed; folks are struggling with new addictive drugs. There are wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. And now a second term of Donald Trump.

And hovering over everything are existential dangers that appear more pressing now than ever: climate change, nuclear war, another pandemic and technologies like AI.

Within this milieu, I realized an increasing need to look on the bright side of life and of citizenship. Let’s remember that in many ways the world in recent decades has gotten better. I have enjoyed writing columns around this perspective. I have also enjoyed looking at the theme of being a good person. Columns have included topics like awareness, gratitude, compassion, meditation and leaving a legacy.

What about Chester’s original vision of sparkling observation, reflection and humour? Have I delivered? Are you kidding? Do you know how hard it is to sparkle? To induce readers to chuckle? But I embrace his vision as a continuing inspiration.

Thank you, readers. I invite you to continue to join me.