Time Still Is Marching On...

Well, what do you know? It’s the end of November 2009, and I’m still trying to get accustomed to the 21st Century. If I do not keep my mind on what I am doing, I will date something in the 1900s instead of the 2000s. Maybe there should be a phrase that goes something like, “It’s hard for an old dog to change centuries.”


But there is an exclusive reason why this November holds a special memory lobe in my old brain. Five years ago in November 2004, I submitted my first guest column to Beaumont Enterprise opinions editor, Thomas Taschinger. He is a fascinating individual. I suppose most newspaper editors do have something going on because they live constantly within that pressure of strict daily deadlines.

It’s interesting to note that the dictionary defines “deadline” as, “… a line drawn around a prison that a prisoner passes at the risk of being shot.” The secondary definition is, “…the time after which copy is not accepted for publication.” Does this mean that if an editor messes around with a deadline, he or she draws fire?

Anyway, my first column in 2004 was about working as an usher at the Jefferson Theater. That column generated a lot of response. Taschinger e-mailed me and inquired if I had more stories to share. Since I grew up in Jefferson County, primarily in Beaumont, there were indeed numerous local experiences to share.

This guest column adventure that I have enjoyed over the past five years came about because of Deana, my daughter. Deana has her college degree in journalism and for several years wrote a column for the Baytown Sun. Since moving to Arkansas, she has written for Arkansas Life, a magazine published by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She also writes for several business magazines.

I was always telling Deana stories of my growing up in the Beaumont area. The stories were endless to the point that often Deana referred to me as “my dad, the storyteller.” One day, Deana said, “Dad, why don’t you write up some of your stories and submit them to the Enterprise?” And so I did.

I started out writing a weekly guest column but now do one every other week. Mr. Taschinger would welcome any of your life’s stories that you would be willing to share. I know because I asked him.

You may wonder how to write a story. Just write it like you would tell it. Taschinger will smooth it up if you have some rough edges. That’s a big portion of what an editor does. Maybe you have a good story but have trouble writing it up. Send the idea to Taschinger. He just might use it.

If you have any questions on how to submit a guest column to the Enterprise, send an e-mail to Taschinger. He will be glad to assist you.

Why am I using an entire column on this topic? Because I know that there are so many untold stories out there. How many individual and local human interest experiences have gone to the grave because no one bothered to share them? Your life is a book and most of the chapters in your book would appeal to many people. “People relate to people who grew up in similar or familiar circumstances,” said Taschinger.

Almost ten percent of the 21st Century already is used up and we have barely begun. So share your experiences while you can. The Enterprise opinions page is a great platform to tell your stories. And as Taschinger reiterated, “It makes a good read.”

Taschinger’s picture and editorial appear on the opinions page. His e-mail is listed beneath his photo.

Give it a try. It’s fun.

Winston Hamby
WinHamby@gmail.com