Editor will be missed (10/20/05)

To the editor:

Sometimes in the course of our lives, individuals cross our paths for specific reasons. Barb Wilkinson was one of those individuals. For several years, Barb covered the Jay County Marching Patriots on State Fair Band Day, as well as stories concerning the entire band program here in Jay County. We believe she did this because she had a high regard for our band program.

She also did this because she believed in our kids and their hard work during the summer marching season and throughout the school year. Not only did she think it was worthy as a news story, but she also thought it was important to promote our youth and their involvement in positive activities.

At many of our events, Barb could be found “shooting” for a story. She was always right there with our band staff at local events. Many times, our staff would inject humor (and sometimes sarcasm) into our interviews with her, and Barb was not afraid to shoot back. This usually led to some interesting discussions on many subjects.

Thanks, Barb, for your patience and your sense of humor. You always fit right in with our staff.

We would like to thank Jack Ronald for hiring Barb Wilkinson several years ago; not only for our band program, but also for the professional and accurate job that she did in covering stories in and around Jay County. She had a passion for journalism and did not stop working until she was satisfied with the final result.

Barb’s wit, humor and excitement will be missed. We will never forget the memories she imprinted in the paper and in our minds.

Kelly Smeltzer

and Pete Vogler,

Jay School Corporation

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