Babblin' Brooks: One final thought

Well, this is it, the final “Babblin’ Brooks” column. 

As I mentioned in November, I am retiring from the newspaper business after nearly 30 years. I’ve worked at newspapers in Alabama, Florida, Arkansas and Oklahoma. I can’t think of a better place to end it than right here in Comanche.

It was February 2019 when Sarah and I arrived to take over The Comanche Times. We would purchase it three years later.  

I leave with many fond memories of long road trips, longer nights, heated city council meetings, great one-on-one interviews, firetruck chasing and state championships. 

There have been many people who have made my job easier and better. There are too many to name individually, because I don’t want to forget anyone. I will say I do appreciate the coaches I’ve worked with over the years at Comanche. They’ve all been cooperative and easy to get along with. The same goes for school administrators.

I haven’t always had the best relationship with City Hall, but I think, as a journalist, if you get along with City Hall 100 percent of the time, you are doing something wrong. There have been way more periods of good than bad, though. I do appreciate the council members and City Hall staff I have worked with.

Thanks to all our advertisers who have stayed loyal. Newspaper advertising may not be trendy and flashy, but it still works and you will not be able to convince me otherwise. I ask that you stay loyal to the new owners, Tommy and Pattie Wells. I think they will bring some fresh ideas to make your advertising even better. 

You will still see me around some. I will be helping in a limited capacity during the transition to make it go as smoothly as possible.

There will be much I miss about the newspaper business; it has been good to me. I will always have ink in my blood.

There is no way to overstate how much of an unsung hero Sarah is. I may have been the face of the paper, but she was the one who kept it going. She’s had to put up a lot with me, my chaotic schedule and trips over the years, but she still soldiered through. I suspect she is looking forward to no longer sending “Will you be home for dinner?” texts on an almost daily basis.

Finally, thank you to the community for allowing us to serve you for the past seven years. Go Indians!