And so, on one of my last days here at The Citizen, there I am, discussing the merits of publishing baby pictures larger (2 columns wide), rather than smaller (1 column).
“But what if the baby is not attractive?” I am asked by those in the newsroom who think the two-column pictures - the way they appear today on C6 - are too huge.
“Everyone thinks they have the most attractive baby on the planet,” I countered, knowing that I have never been able to tell the difference between a beautiful baby and one with, how shall we say, a great personality (how teenage girls used to kindly describe my looks). To me, babies are like hybrid cars: They all look the same and smell pretty good when they're new.
The Citizen's new Celebrations page, which adds baby photos to our engagements, weddings and anniversary content, is the latest in a long line of new content we have launched over the last three years. It joins a list that includes Cloudcatchers, Go, The Zone high school pages, Lake Life, Sudoku, Page Too, Good Works, the niche sports pages (Fun & Games, Bowling Weekly, Doubledays Weekly, Racing Week, Golf Week ...), Two Cents, Through The Lens, a redesigned www.auburnpub.com, The Bottom Line, Family Scrapbook, The Citizens' Say, On The Spot, The Buzz, the Skaneateles Journal, Digital Day in the Life ... plus, were covering more local news than ever. We've been busy.
And then there is this thing.
I began writing this column as a way to connect with the community and to share my observations of the gorgeous Finger Lakes and Cayuga County, especially for those who may have lost sight of the beauty of the region. Being from Detroit, I can appreciate beauty.
The column migrated into my thoughts on some of the area's really special places and events (New Hope pancakes, Duck Derby, The Citizen Downtown Mile, Chair-ity auction, The Great Race ...), but eventually - when I ran out of material - I began discussing my personal life though, for the record, my wife and dog screened all that content in advance.
Honestly, when my columns began delving into my life, I couldn't help but feel they were self-serving. Still do. I was always told you should avoid using ‘I' in a column unless you were God or Gandhi, because if you weren't famous, your life was no different than anyone else's and you just happen to be the one with a pen.
But it was your wonderful comments that encouraged me to keep writing it each Sunday, despite my reservations. The positive feedback I received has been one of the many satisfying parts of this job, although the fact that my life has made people laugh each week may take years of costly therapy to overcome.
So why leave Cayuga County?
After a year and a half, my wife and I are in the final stages of adopting two children from Russia. I never shared this in my Sunday humor column because, well, based on old films I've seen, the Russian government doesn't seem to have a sense of humor, and I didn't want to botch our adoption process.
But as a soon-to-be father, I have worried about being able to adequately provide for my family once the children arrive in our home - especially given the extraordinary expense of an international adoption. My worries may be needless, but this new position within The Citizen's parent company may allow me to worry just a little less. And I owe this new opportunity to the tireless effort of our phenomenal staff and the support of a terrific publisher.
My wife and I - and the $900 dog - will miss all of you and this beautiful part of the country. We have met many wonderful people and you have made us feel at home, even though our families were hundreds of miles away.
When we finally do complete this adoption (with any luck the babies will be back with us in this country by Christmas), we will send you all a photo, which maybe they'll print in Celebrations. At a “huge” two columns wide.
Don't worry, you'll recognize our babies.
They'll be the most attractive ones on the planet.
Take care and God bless.
Editor Mikel LeFort can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 230 or e-mail mikel.lefort@lee.net through Wednesday, July 19.
“Everyone thinks they have the most attractive baby on the planet,” I countered, knowing that I have never been able to tell the difference between a beautiful baby and one with, how shall we say, a great personality (how teenage girls used to kindly describe my looks). To me, babies are like hybrid cars: They all look the same and smell pretty good when they're new.
The Citizen's new Celebrations page, which adds baby photos to our engagements, weddings and anniversary content, is the latest in a long line of new content we have launched over the last three years. It joins a list that includes Cloudcatchers, Go, The Zone high school pages, Lake Life, Sudoku, Page Too, Good Works, the niche sports pages (Fun & Games, Bowling Weekly, Doubledays Weekly, Racing Week, Golf Week ...), Two Cents, Through The Lens, a redesigned www.auburnpub.com, The Bottom Line, Family Scrapbook, The Citizens' Say, On The Spot, The Buzz, the Skaneateles Journal, Digital Day in the Life ... plus, were covering more local news than ever. We've been busy.
And then there is this thing.
I began writing this column as a way to connect with the community and to share my observations of the gorgeous Finger Lakes and Cayuga County, especially for those who may have lost sight of the beauty of the region. Being from Detroit, I can appreciate beauty.
The column migrated into my thoughts on some of the area's really special places and events (New Hope pancakes, Duck Derby, The Citizen Downtown Mile, Chair-ity auction, The Great Race ...), but eventually - when I ran out of material - I began discussing my personal life though, for the record, my wife and dog screened all that content in advance.
Honestly, when my columns began delving into my life, I couldn't help but feel they were self-serving. Still do. I was always told you should avoid using ‘I' in a column unless you were God or Gandhi, because if you weren't famous, your life was no different than anyone else's and you just happen to be the one with a pen.
But it was your wonderful comments that encouraged me to keep writing it each Sunday, despite my reservations. The positive feedback I received has been one of the many satisfying parts of this job, although the fact that my life has made people laugh each week may take years of costly therapy to overcome.
So why leave Cayuga County?
After a year and a half, my wife and I are in the final stages of adopting two children from Russia. I never shared this in my Sunday humor column because, well, based on old films I've seen, the Russian government doesn't seem to have a sense of humor, and I didn't want to botch our adoption process.
But as a soon-to-be father, I have worried about being able to adequately provide for my family once the children arrive in our home - especially given the extraordinary expense of an international adoption. My worries may be needless, but this new position within The Citizen's parent company may allow me to worry just a little less. And I owe this new opportunity to the tireless effort of our phenomenal staff and the support of a terrific publisher.
My wife and I - and the $900 dog - will miss all of you and this beautiful part of the country. We have met many wonderful people and you have made us feel at home, even though our families were hundreds of miles away.
When we finally do complete this adoption (with any luck the babies will be back with us in this country by Christmas), we will send you all a photo, which maybe they'll print in Celebrations. At a “huge” two columns wide.
Don't worry, you'll recognize our babies.
They'll be the most attractive ones on the planet.
Take care and God bless.
Editor Mikel LeFort can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 230 or e-mail mikel.lefort@lee.net through Wednesday, July 19.
The Citizens' Say
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