Meant to Post this a couple of weeks ago, oh well better late than never. This is a copy of the first Column I wrote for the Celeste Tribune Newspaper.

Saying Hello, Saying Goodbye

August is beginning to slip away from us, and once more we face the annual task of saying goodbye to some old friends and saying hello to some new ones. Our school year is just starting and hope burns eternal. You can feel the excitement as folks ask each other "Do you think this is the year that our boys will get back to the playoffs and maybe bring us a State Championship", "Have you seen the new bunch of kids starting kindergarten?" and "Have you met the new Principal or any of the new teachers yet?" This year we also get to welcome a new Methodist Minister, Doug King.

Perhaps the most surprising newcomer to our town this year, is this paper that you are reading right now. Celeste has not had our own paper since 1982. Although we have been ably serviced by the Leonard Graphic, there is nothing like having your own Home Town Paper. A paper whose entire focus is our community, our neighbors, our football boys and our local concerns. Some folks might wonder if there is enough interest in Celeste to support a new paper. Is there enough news to justify a paper, and is there enough local talent to write and publish a paper in our little town? I suspect we will find those answers over the next few months. Personally, I welcome the paper and will not only buy it every other Thursday, but will offer my services to the editor. I know there is enough news in Celeste to justify a paper, and there is no doubt in my mind that there are enough talented folks around here to fill its pages with fact fill ed, interesting and entertaining articles and columns. I suspect I am not the only person here in town that would like to read about the CYSA ball games or what the local Lions Club or Masonic Lodge is doing. In our next election, I look forward to reading interviews with the candidates for the School Board or City Council. I'd also like to read about what issues are being discussed at City Council meetings, School Board meetings or maybe interviews with some of our local citizens to see what they think of Celeste, and what we can all do to make it an even better town to live in. I sincerely hope everyone in town joins me in giving a big Celeste "WELCOME" to our new paper.

Let's also remember to give our best wishes and prayers to the members of our community who are leaving us at this time of year. I know Jerry and Shirley Colgrove will be sorely missed by the Methodist Church, and everyone else in town whose lives they've touched. We want to make sure they know that, even though they have moved to another town to preach, they will always be welcome here in Celeste. We also need to say a proud but tearful farewell to last school year's seniors that are moving away to College. Forgive me a bit of personal indulgence here, but my Oldest daughter is one of this select group. I will miss seeing her, and Alex, and Mathew and the rest of the Class of 2005 as they take their first steps into the real world.
Yes, August is a time of Joyous Hellos and Proud Good byes.
Bill Hocutt
Disagree or Agree feel free to add your own comments.

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