Sometimes, it takes a village ...

We’ve all heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

The same could be said for producing a weekly newspaper, too.

And that’s the story behind this issue of the Brandon Valley Journal.

It’s taken a village.

Last week, the COVID bug finally sunk its teeth into this ol’ gal. I was achy, congested and super tired. I was chalking all three symptoms up to a busy week of preparation leading up to the Ed Polzine Wild Game Feed and Auction Amore, in addition to covering games and meetings and packing up the apartment for today’s move. (Yes, I know that moving during a snowstorm is not going to be ideal, but that’s how the cookie crumbles some days.)

Just to be sure, though, I swirled the swab, only to reveal that I tested positive for this take-you-out-of-socialization-status illness. Ugh.

The newspaper is similar to that of the dairy farmer. No matter what’s happening, the cows still need to be milked. And for this industry, the presses still need to run. And this week, with the impending snowstorm, the printer moved up our press time, which has my fingers dancing across the keyboard like a Lynx sprinter heading down the track.

Thanks to modern technology and a village of good people who pitched in to be where I couldn’t be, the press was able to run, and you have a newspaper in your hands to read as the white stuff outside is piling up.

I’ve been preparing for the big move for weeks, sorting through closets and drawers and cupboards in between covering events and meetings and sports. I’ve tossed a great deal. I have a pile for donation, another for the electronics disposal, and as the boxes have piled up one on top of another, I’m starting to feel a bit like a hoarder. 

I’m finding surprises along the way, too. For instance, I took a few moments to page through a birthday scrapbook some former colleagues crafted for me in my 20s. It was a comical trip down memory lane.

I discovered I tucked away a stack of sweaters in a suitcase that I had long forgotten about. Now it feels like I just went on a shopping spree without putting a dent in my pocketbook.

And, as one would expect, I found a whole lot of junk that had me asking myself, “Why on earth did I feel the need to keep that?”

I imagine it’s a similar scenario that many of you have gone through, too.

And that’s why a move from time to time is a good thing. Even if it’s on a late February day with a snowstorm on its way.

Although the snowstorm will likely delay my trip to the Class A State Tournament by a day, I’ll be packing up the Buick and heading out to be matside as our Brandon Valley Lynx go after their third consecutive state team title and second dual championship. We also have four Lady Lynx that have qualified for state. I wish each of our student-athletes great success as they represent Brandon Valley on the mat in their question to keep this wrestling dynasty in check.