Sometimes the rhythm of life truly surprises me. I guess it shouldn’t, though.
After all, as the popular maxim often attributed to Mark Twain says, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”
Despite a lack of clear evidence that the humorist actually spoke such words, the phrase is accurate.
That’s because 18 years ago I embarked on my journalism career by becoming the editor of The Ledger, which served Moundridge and Inman.
My first day at The Ledger was June 12, 2008. Now the first issue of my own publication is being published on June 12, 2026.
Seeing The Plains Pilot in print is a dream come true, a dream that has roots in my time with The Ledger.
At one point, I had tried to purchase The Ledger, but that didn’t work out due to funding issues. Still, as I wrote on Aug. 31, 2009, when announcing my departure, my two main goals in the journalism field were to teach journalism and own my own publication.
Now I can say I’ve accomplished both of them.
Before launching this publication, I taught high school journalism in Ransom and in Sterling, putting in 10 years at that level.
I also spent eight years as a journalism professor at Sterling College and continue to serve Wichita State University as an adjunct professor, while also conducting academic research about journalism.
Throughout my nearly two decades in the educational world, I have espoused the importance of journalism, especially rural, community journalism.
Now, as I end my time at Sterling College, I am thrilled to again practice what I preach and put my research findings and theories to the test.
I’m sure there will be bumps along the way. I will make mistakes. I’ll miss something important. I’ll continually ask the same people what their names are in hopes of avoiding misspellings. I’ll probably commit all sorts of errors or oversights that some will decide are irredeemable.
That’s just the way it is. I’m human. I’ll always try to make it right, but rather than blasting me on Facebook about it, write me a letter to the editor so I can publish your critiques and criticisms in the paper.
Even so, I hope I will do some good, too.
My family and I’s goal is to provide Moundridge and the surrounding areas with a reliable and trustworthy source for news that directly impacts residents’ lives, even if we stumble along the way.
My wish is for the readers and community members to appreciate what my family and I are trying to do and stick with us because Moundridge needs a place where it can be informed without relying on unreliable algorithms and hackable websites.
A local newspaper is vital for a community. It documents life and preserves stories about people and places.
At some point, the online spaces we all use might not be accessible.
Despite the evolution of technology, a printed newspaper will remain.
Besides, what’s old is new. Vintage is in.
I never thought I’d own vinyl records and a turntable, but I do. Also, I’ve recently rediscovered some of my old cassette tapes and started playing them on an old tape deck from my boyhood bedroom in my parents’ house.
My wife and I both prefer to read physical books, and my children prefer coloring on paper with real crayons.
Basically, anything that gives me a moment away from screens and handheld devices is a welcome reprieve.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my online spaces and connected devices, but it feels good to step away from the chaos for a bit.
I hope The Plains Pilot will give you the same opportunity. Maybe it will help you reconnect with your neighbors or inspire you to chat with people in person instead of online.
No matter what, I just hope everyone enjoys the newspaper because my family and I are excited, and I can’t wait to see what historic rhyme reveals itself next.
