Today, the Bangor Daily News is offering you and me the opportunity to embark on another grand adventure together: Telling our stories.
From my first tentative steps in 1979, writing a column specifically about girls and women in sports, to my next tentative step in 1995, writing a community column many of you still refer to as “The Standpipe,” we’ve pretty much papered the walls of all the halls in our readership area and beyond with news of local activities and events.
It worked. We got the word out. You got positive results.
And we will continue to do that, just in a slightly different form through our new calendar section, The Weekly, The Beacon, in what we in the business refer to as “shorts” and “briefs” in the paper, and on the Bangor Daily News website.
But we also will be doing a bit of that here by focusing on individuals, events and situations that affect our lives.
It has been a fun and fruitful journey thus far and I am convinced it will continue to be with your help.
For this new format to work, however, I still will rely on my readers for suggestions.
The connections we have made need not be severed, even though you now have new options for sending us your news, especially via e-mail.
Some days, what you read here may be my own observations; on other days, your observations might take center stage.
One of the most intriguing aspects of writing this column for 15 years is the realization and recognition of something I’ve known for a long time: That Mainers are among the most dedicated, devoted and willing workers you’ll find anywhere, especially when it comes to helping others.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done a double-take when reading information provided by someone about a specific event for one organization and then, a day or two later, receiving different information about a different event for a different organization, but written by the same person.
I often wanted to talk with those folks and find out how they can keep all those irons in the fire.
The old saying, I’m sure we will discover, will apply: If you need something done, ask a busy person to do it.
Another aspect of this new format that I believe is important will be the ability to tell a story more fully and, most certainly, when and if the occasion arises, continue with it.
I also can’t tell you how often someone has come up to me and asked, “What ever happened to…? How did that benefit turn out? How is that little girl now?”
Previously, I didn’t have time to seek out those answers for you. Now, you and I can begin a journey and see it through to its conclusion.
Some of our stories will have happy endings; some may not.
But everyone has a story.
Everyone knows someone who makes his or her community special.
Everyone knows someone in need who deserves our help and support.
We will be there for them, and for you.
My contact information remains the same.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me, and don’t be surprised if I call, show up on your doorstep or tap you on the shoulder when you least expect it.
Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; javerill@bangordailynews.com; 990-8288.