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Feature Article May 22

Feature Article May 22,2003

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100 Musings Old!We humans have a tendency to celebrate life's milestones and to reflect where we have been and where we are going. Some of you will remember the traditional 'achieving the 40th birthday' pause. It always seems to be significant, middle age achieved, but that noonday sun moving into the western sky bewilders the eyes a bit. It was a good time to pause and reflect. Some of our children are approaching this peak and our sympathies are with them as they grapple with life's complexities. For those of us beyond that particular milestone, there are others that seem to pop up with ever-increasing frequency.My latest speed bump is the approaching 100th edition of my 'Mazinaw Musing' column in The Frontenac News. For me it is worth a pause and if you can bear with me in my allocated space, I would like to reflect a bit.

Back in 2000 I wrote to the editor of the former North Frontenac News suggesting that there be some reporting on local Municipal Council meetings. I opined that this was more important than euchre scores, hospital visitations, generic birthday wishes, and descriptions of teas with assorted relatives, etc. Shortly after this the late David Brison purchased the paper and approached me about being a correspondent for the area bridging Highway 41, which had been represented only sporadically. I am not an antisocial type but after a career of being heavily involved with the community I wanted respite. However I said I would voluntarily write a column that hopefully would be of interest, and 'Mazinaw Musings' was conceived, born and has been toddling to this day.Now almost 100 MM's later, that impending milestone has caused me to pause and reflect. Has the effort been worthwhile?

There is no doubt in my mind that the experience has been beneficial for me. In preparing the MM's I have had to read, research, observe and reflect; functions that will benefit anyone who wishes to take the time to do them. In evaluating any endeavor one also has to consider the effect on others. Some friends and acquaintances have commented, favorably and unfavorably. That is as it should be; wouldn't it be a monotonous world if we all agreed? David had received some critical comments but not to the extent that those expressing them would write a formal letter to the paper. These mostly concerned my perceived affront to certain life styles. For that I am sorry, as I mean to offend no one; but I do attempt to have readers look at themselves as well as those around them, question situations and to pause during these crazy times to muse a bit about life. Have I been successful? I really don't know.

There is a new The Frontenac News emerging. 'North' has disappeared, as a larger geographical area is being represented, and the papers revamping is being done by Jule and Jeff based upon David's original plans. Informative columns have been added; three local Municipal Council meetings are regularly reported on; and volunteer Community Correspondents still include euchre scores and Aunt Bessie's visits, which, I have been told in no uncertain terms, are well worth the space they consume.

The News is evolving and expanding to fill an important niche in local coverage. Publisher Jule and editor Jeff are also evaluating their endeavour, particularly in light of the additional costs that larger editions entail.

After 3 years of musing along the Mazinaw shore, a milestone of 100 columns will soon be achieved. I wonder what has been accomplished and where to go from here?

The News is also musing and would appreciate feedback, as would I. The various addresses are found in the masthead. What do you like, dislike, would like, or heave? Is the paper worth what it costs you; free at present, but that luxury may not be able to continue.
With the participation of the Government of Canada