And the Beat Goes On

On June 1st Wanda Combs, the editor/manager of our local weekly newspaper, The Floyd Press, is retiring. I’ve been working as a stringer for the paper under her tutelage for more than a decade and am deeply grateful for her experience, encouragement and guidance over the years.
In 2006 she took a chance on me. After retiring from Wall Residences, providing services for a person with disabilities in our home for nine years, I began spending more time writing and blogging. I had some experience writing commentaries for news outlets and writing articles for the Museletter, our local homespun monthly newsletter. I went to her office and asked her if I could run things by her from time to time for possible publication. She was open to it, and I sold the first piece I brought to her.
We originally thought I might submit something once a month, but it turned out to be much more than that. My blog category sidebar of reprinted Floyd Press stories contains more than 400 Floyd Press stories. Some of those were for the magazine inserts that the paper’s publishing company/owners (BH Media Group) put out.
Over the years, I’ve covered everything from a WWE wrestling match fundraiser and Tractor Fun Run to a Climate Action Eco-Fair, John Meyer and Dave Matthews concert at Virginia Tech and a cowgirl caravan. I’ve covered parades, graduations, 4th of July fireworks, memorial tributes, music events and artist’s profiles. Some of my regular beats have been local theater events, the annual Blue Mountain School Mardi Gras, Floydfest and Floyd Yoga Jam.
In-depth insert features that I wrote with Wanda at the helm include A Flourishing of the Arts in Floyd (2008), The Restaurants of Floyd County: Something for Every Taste (2011), Floyd’s Growing Music Scene (2017), Founder Brings What He Loves to Floydfest (2017), Floyd- New Pioneers, Artists & the Next Generation (2018) and Discover Floyd (2109).
I expect to continue as a contracted stringer for the paper and have heard that Wanda will likely contribute in that capacity as well. Working with her has been a pleasure. Our relationship has had an ease that has built my confidence and skills as a writer. She’s going to be hard to replace.
Note: Look for a full feature on Wanda’s 40+ years at The Floyd Press in this week’s paper. The photo above was taken at her retirement party. I don’t know who took it, a lot were snapping and this one turned up on Facebook. It includes people who work for the paper, past and present. Wanda is front and center. That’s me second from the right and in front of my friend reporter Doug Thompson. Since I don’t work at the office, I don’t know or remember the names of the rest of the crew, and some are missing from the shot.
May 28th, 2019 7:17 am
Having a mentor is a wonderful experience. I’m so glad you enjoyed 10 years with her.
May 28th, 2019 7:57 am
It’s great when one finds a trusted mentor who really cares about your development. All the best to Wanda on her retirement and to you as you continue her good work.
May 28th, 2019 10:02 pm
A wonderful story and tribute!
May the tales continue to unfold!
May 30th, 2019 11:32 am
I’m so glad you went to Wanda and got to expand your writing under her watch. She is great.