Thoughts on a 'homecoming'

Sometimes, things just feel right.

There's a lyric from an old James Taylor song that pretty much sums up the emotions of the past week and lends credence to the sentence above.

"Isn't it nice to be home again?" Sweet Baby James croons on the closing track from "Mud Slide Slim."

It is indeed nice to be back home  again at the Clinton County News. It feels right.

Anyone who's been in the area for a few years probably has at least some inkling of my comings and goings from this home newspaper base. It’s no secret that I've bumped around a bit - the road has not always been smooth. But, then again, it's often the twists and turns in life that provide the most rewarding learning experiences.

It's been interesting to see and hear the reaction of folks when they've learned I'm back at the News. The response has been positive from long-time friends and marginal acquaintances alike - I truly appreciate your well wishes.

In particular, it seems appropriate to single out two individuals who I first met as contact persons for various stories I've worked on. That professional relationship with Bernard Feldpausch and Kaye Pilmore has developed over the years into unique friendships.

When she heard the news that I was back at the News, Kaye tipped her head back and let out a "Kaye" laugh, followed by equally effusive words of congratulations. The change in my place of employment wasn't necessarily the cause of her exuberance so much as the opportunities for my continuing personal growth that Kaye intuitively knew a return here will provide.

A positive outlook - coupled with a never-say-die attitude - is Kaye's trademark. Hopefully, a little bit of that has rubbed off on this writer over the years.

I hesitated somewhat to include Bernard's name and good thoughts on my return to the News in this column. He's such a shy guy, you know.

That, obviously, is not true. I don’t believe I've ever had the pleasure of personally knowing anyone who cares more deeply about people - all people, everywhere - than Bernard does, or who goes out of his way to make them feel good.

He's not an introvert by any stretch of the imagination.

On the other hand, there's no one I know who shuns the spotlight like Bernard. If someone else can take the credit, accept the praise or award, that's just fine with the Bee's founder. I'm sure I'll get a phone call telling me I shouldn't have made such a big deal about his words of good wishes last week - but I know I speak for many, many people in the community who feel the same way about Mr. B.

You're a genuine one-of-a-kind, Bernard.

Isn't it nice to be home again?