Jill's Journal: Ding dong. The local newspaper editor is at your door

Like any business, there are challenges. And they come in many ways.

For some, it may be a lack of business. For others, perhaps it’s too much business all at one time. Of course, there are taxes to be paid, equipment to be replaced, employees who come and go, and so on and so forth.

In my now four-decades long community journalism career, I’ve faced every one of these challenges, although, too much business all at one time isn’t so much a challenge as it can be exhausting. 

All of the challenges I face, however, aren’t always money-specific. Oftentimes, I’m challenged in identifying who’s smiling faces are in the hundreds of pictures I take on a weekly basis. Other times, I may have shown up at the wrong place or at the wrong time. And sometimes, when I spy a story opportunity, as I did last week, but have no idea who to contact, the next step is to put on my “investigative reporter hat” and well, start investigating.

The internet is an obvious first place to start. Perusing Facebook or making a call or two is another option. Sometimes, I refer back to previous stories we’ve published on the topic, or contact someone who perhaps is a neighbor.

Last week, none of those options produced the information I was hoping to find. So, I reverted to what some may refer to as “old school.” I actually went to the home of the family I was attempting to contact. With my business card in hand and a smile on my face, I rang the doorbell, and within seconds, two boys (brothers as I later discovered) answered the door.

My first question, “Is your mom or dad home?”

They were quick to tell me they were not.

Next, I explained the reason I was standing on their doorstep, then handed them my business card with a request to have one of their parents contact me.

From the excitement I heard in their eagerness to follow through, I was confident I’d be hearing from the Halbersma family. And I did. In fact, we arranged to meet the next day.

Moments after being welcomed into their home late Thursday afternoon, Kayci Halbersma shared that her boys have been instructed not to answer the front door when they are not at home, and if by chance they would, they’ve been instructed to say, “My mom’s in the shower.”

Obviously, they failed to follow protocol, but I sure am glad they did.