Muffler Shop Musings

By Ricky Swindle

 

Howdy, Friends !

Turkey Day is on the way.

I sincerely hope you have a good day, eat too much, catch a ballgame and avoid fussing with your kinfolk if possible.

There’s a lot of things I’m thankful for. I’m blessed that my kids and my Grand Heathens are all happy and healthy.

There’s nothing better in the world than having your own little bunch of folks that love you.

I’m thankful for this newspaper. I’m thankful our town still has a newspaper.

The Howell family was dedicated many years to this outfit. As business owners I’ll assure you at times they worked for a lot less than their help did. Sometimes they drew even, and on occasion, lean times saw their books in the red.

The Howell boys, Ol John & Rupert, have moved on to their next stage in life taking on the roles of two retired Southern gentlemen. Well deserved with a good job done in their rear view mirror the way I see it.

This paper has went through many changes since the Howell’s left. But folks, time marches on and changes have to be made at times to sustain a business.

Certainly you understand this paper is a business first and foremost.

I’m not a professional writer, as I have you to witness and confirm that fact by reading my musings that are published every so often. But, I do try to let ya’ll know what’s going on be it Shriners, Civitans or other community events I’m aware of that’s happening.

This paper desires news. You can help them gather it.

I read every word of every column. I most enjoy all the local writers who contribute to the paper. I’ve been trying to learn from these intelligent ladies to help hone my own writing skills.

You yourself could have a column in this paper. They’re looking for local writers always. It’s not what you would call a paying gig, but it tends to add one more story to the print.

And that’s all this paper needs is just one more story. Your story. What’s happening in your neck of the woods ?

There’s a pile of folks who love talking politics in our area. Start you a  political column. Start two. One red and one blue. I’d suggest to not be mean and ugly with it so it’s printable. This paper has plenty of room for you, your ideas and your views.

Have you given any thought to the possibility that we could lose our paper? There are many larger towns than us who already have.

What are you going to do when your kid scores the winning touchdown, makes that last second shot, slides in to home or shoots that big buck ? Post it on your Face Book page?

It won’t be the same as that refrigerator art your Momma cut out of The Panolian and stuck it on there. Only the friends in your feed will be the ones to see it. The folks not on your friends list will not have the opportunity to see your star shine.

Take a part in your hometown paper. If you don’t agree with Jeremy Weldon, write a letter to the editor. It adds to the print.

Things change friends. One day we will lose our local paper as the social media platform grows stronger. We’re gonna miss this paper when it’s gone and when it’s gone, it’ll never come back.

Participate means “to have a part or share in something.”