When The Story Turned On Me
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
DAVE’S WORLD
By David Howell
One of the joys of the paper business for a nosy reporter is being the first to know. For example, I knew that Tommy and Linda White would be the recipients of the 2026 Braswell Hatcher Community Service Award at the annual Chamber reception last Tuesday night. I was well positioned and captured a great image when their names were announced.
I knew the plan to make sure they were in attendance and seated front and center, thanks to an idea from Chamber board member Brad Embry. He suggested they ask Tommy to give the opening prayer, a perfect plan sure not to trigger any suspicion.
Ask my wife, and she will also tell you I am suspicious by nature, often playing the opposite side of any debate just to see if I can.
That said, I wasn’t on my A game last Tuesday night and let my guard down.
My wife accompanied me to the reception. That was a little unusual, just because she hasn’t been since before Covid. If you remember, the banquet era came to a close with Covid, and a slightly less formal reception followed in 2022. My wife played it off, explaining that an opportunity to hear Matt Laubhan was exciting.
The next clue came when we left for the reception and I noticed Mel’s husband Del’s truck in the parking lot. That was a little unusual, and they were both at the banquet. I got busy and didn’t think anything else about it until the end — the final accolade of the night, Business of the Year.
Jessie Gurner announced it, and there was no way to ease into it and keep us guessing when she started with the oldest business in the city. Yep, when she said the business had been around since 1888, the gig was up.
My uncle and aunt, Rupert and Rita Howell, both lifelong journalists, emerged from a back room. I think that is when it really hit — this was something big.
I mumbled a few words and made sure Mel shared the moment with me. Honestly, I’m not sure what I said, other than mentioning that Melody has been with me at the Herald since this chapter started. She had worked at The Panolian in Batesville and had a better grasp of the changes needed back in 2004 to modernize.
The funny part, I tried to explain Tuesday night, is Melody had her work cut out for her, as I despised change almost as much as Mrs. Betty, who graciously stayed on to help at the Herald. Mrs. Betty would vent to Melody, and there were some tense moments in those early years. When we lost Betty in 2022, she was a second mother to Melody and me. I sure wish she had been there with us.
Call me biased, but this year’s reception was my favorite in the last 22 years. Well, second favorite. It’s hard to top the hypnotist who was the entertainment at the 2006 banquet. And that was 20 years ago — the statute of limitations should be up. Maybe I could share a few of those photos in future editions…
