If it weren’t for Barbara Van Reed, I wouldn’t have had my 16-year opportunity of writing YankeeXpress columns.

Barbara Van Reed was the editor of the YankeeXpress and its predecessor The Patriot Newspaper of Webster. Sixteen long years ago, she placed an ad in The Patriot looking for writers, experience not required. I clipped that ad and taped it to my (then) clunky desk-top computer.

I wasn’t sure if I should apply as I’d never written for a newspaper before but way-back-when attending school in Boston, I used to write embellished and amusing letters to my friends who had chosen other schools to attend after high school graduation. I remember one friend telling me that when my letter would arrive (yes, written in long-hand), they’d share my writings with a group of their college dorm chums, reading them aloud while enjoying my comedic stories about life in Boston.

Never thought too much of it until I became a sales administrator and began to write monthly newsletters for our sales team. Years later when I was with another company and was promoted to regional sales manager with many sales representatives reporting to me, I began writing newsletters again for my sales team. My reps enjoyed my entertaining comments, cartoons, and how-to-increase your sales suggestions. I’d like to think it helped us to establish great camaraderie becoming a strong team and the leading sales region in the U.S. 

But, back to my Yankee time. I was assigned to cover local select board meetings, planning board meetings, you-name-it meetings, and also was assigned to writing articles for potential advertisers and people of interest. It seemed like I became the requested writer for new business profiles. I loved it. Then, the Telegram & Gazette came calling to ask if I’d like to write news capsules for them. I took the position. Tight deadlines, hazing by copy writers, and interesting subject matter. For a part-time job, it became a little too crazy for me as I also had a full-time job elsewhere. I opted to return to The Yankee and am glad I did.

I’ve written stories about all five towns covered by the Yankee North and South editions. I’ve made and established great contacts with town managers in Auburn, Charlton, Dudley, Oxford, and Webster as well as with directors and agents of many town boards. The businesses that I wrote articles about still greet me with a smile after all these years. It’s been heart-warming.

My articles included joys, sorrows, and everything in between and I appreciated every single blessed minute of it. Talking with hundreds of people about events and milestones has humbled me and elated me. Everyone really does have a story or a hardship or a success that’s been worth writing about. Every town in America has something good and great to write about. There is no more local town news in the regional papers and that’s why the Yankee Xpress fits the bill. Yankee still writes about your town’s board meetings and community events and you won’t find that anywhere else. You can read Yankee online as well as receive it free in your mailbox. There is no match. 

I’m proud of the fact that I’ve never had to print a retraction for any article I’ve ever written. I pride myself on being a fact-driven detective for each and every article.

The original staff at the Yankee offices in Webster were magnificent and remarkable: Kudos to them. Thank you, Sally Patterson, Carol Kosth, Laura Gleim, Tony Discepolo, and Bill Cronin. And a Big Thank You to Barbara Van Reed for believing in me and giving me the greatest opportunity of my life. How can I forget to thank Chris Robert for realizing that a local newspaper is the lifeblood of a community! Big thanks to you too, Mr. Robert! I certainly can’t forget to thank the paper’s former editor, Rod Lee. Great advice and coaching, Rod. When you asked me to write articles for your e-magazine, it was my honor and privilege to do so.

But now, it is time for me to move on and I must thank our readers and advertisers for being there, for caring, and for emailing me with your positive and deeply sincere observations. Whatever comes next, I will always remember my readers and how I strived to keep you informed about your local news. You might find me on Substack or another digital platform. I wish you well, dear readers. Thank you. YankeeXpress territory is the best! 

[email protected]