Jan 7, 2008 By Steve Barrett 6 min read

…Happy New Year! Hope you all enjoyed a fun and safe holiday, and that you were able to celebrate the beginning of 2008 with loved ones. I always look forward to the start of a new year because it gives me a chance to reflect on what I accomplished during the previous year. It also makes me realize that there were quite a few goals that I didn’t achieve, which makes me strive to set more goals for the following year. Let’s see…What can I possibly attempt to change in 2008? Well, I know I need to lose some weight and get back into a regular routine of exercising and sensible eating. My wife has been kind enough not to say it to me for possible fear of hurting my feelings, but I know she’s thinking it: I HAVE gained quite a few pounds this past year. I admit that I was never the poster child for fitness and good health, but it wasn’t that long ago when I looked a lot better than I do now because I was watching my diet and hitting the gym a few days a week. Now, especially after another holiday season of indulging and overeating, I look in the mirror and I look as if I’ve swallowed a tire. Ugh.

So I pledge to start using the exercise equipment that I’ve been using as nothing more than expensive coat racks for the past year, including a treadmill, a row machine and stationary bike, some free weights and a new “ab” contraption that looks like a true torture device right out of a horror movie. Oh, trust me…After seeing myself in the mirror, I vow that I will get in shape and improve my health this year.

Even if it kills me…

…In addition to making changes, the celebration of a new year is a special time for me for a number of other reasons. Not only do my wife and I celebrate a large number of birthdays with family members and friends throughout the month of January, I also celebrate the anniversary of my return to the Messenger. And I have to admit, I was a little shocked when I came to realize that I am coming up on my fourth anniversary of serving as editor for this publication since returning in 2004.

The more I reflect on my anniversary, the more it boggles my mind. It’s so hard for me to fathom how fast time flies, and how I am celebrating my 11th year in the field of journalism and professional writing. (For those who didn’t know, I worked with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for two years and nearly one year with the Herald-Standard. The rest of the years have been in good ol’ Greene County serving with the Messenger.)

Looking back over the years admittedly makes my head spin. I think of the many breaking news stories, the warm-hearted features and the investigative reports that the Messenger has covered since January of 2004, and the many wonderful people I have had the pleasure of working with in our office and meeting throughout the county. And I cannot help but smile. And even though there have been quite a few changes within the Messenger staff over the years, it makes me proud when I can honestly say that our commitment to providing the best and most thorough coverage of local news and sports has always remained the same.

Over the past several years, we have also really worked hard to improve this weekly publication. New features and columns, more in-depth coverage and a stronger focus on reporting crime and court cases have helped us to continue establishing ourselves as a legitimate “news” paper. And with all due respect to those who have worked with the editorial staff in the past, I am excited about what the future holds for us and what steps we will take as we strive to make the Messenger even better.

To put it simply, the last several years have been a wild, unpredictable, sometimes bumpy ride…and I can’t wait to see where this ride takes us. And of course, the ride would not be possible without the support from Calkins Media, the Herald-Standard and our many loyal advertisers and readers.

Here’s to many, many more years to come…

…While searching through our archives, I’ve also come to the realization that the month of January is special for yet another reason; the day that I wrote this column was January 2, exactly one decade from when beloved writer and local legend Jim Moore passed away.

For those who do not know, Jim, along with Daniel I. Morris, was a “founding father” of the Messenger. Jim was a gentle spirit and kind soul who was also a renowned respected journalist. He was truly an icon, a man who served as a writer for several local papers before starting the weekly Messenger in 1990, where he penned one of the most popular local columns, which he affectionately dubbed “TGIF.”

I had the privilege and honor of working with Jim very early in my journalism career, and to say he was a strong influence in my career would be a huge understatement. There were many times where I would just sit and listen to Jim tell his stories and share his experiences, his wit and warmth, and I will cherish those memories for a long, long time.

So on behalf of the Messenger staff, we simply say “Thank You, Jim Moore.” We thank you for your contributions to the world of journalism, for the gifts you have left behind and for your legacy. You are sadly missed, but you are never forgotten…

…Of course, I can’t write a column without complaining about SOMETHING, so here goes: One day after starting the New Year, I awaken to find my house is freezing, my sidewalk needs shoveled, my car needs thawed out AND a jumpstart, my windshield wipers are frozen and my garbage can lids have been blown away. Ugh. While walking to my office, I glanced at the sign in front of First Federal and saw that it was 18 stinking degrees outside. (And with the wind chill factor, I’m willing to bet all of my frozen toes that it was a heck of a lot colder than that.) As one who suffers through the Wintertime Blues, I just cannot wait till spring is sprung. (Actually, it’s not me who suffers from the wintertime blues as much as it is my wife, who has the unenviable task of putting up with my whining during these cold, cold months…)