Column: Newspaper production has seen big changes
Modern technology made it possible for me to design all of our news pages for the May 24 and May 26 editions from a computer in Prescott Valley, Ariz.
My stepdaughter, Dorothy, graduated from Bradshaw Mountain High School on a Thursday evening and my wife, Stacey, was packing and preparing to follow me back to Montana.
In the meantime, I continued to work on the newspaper – writing stories, updating the website, communicating with sources and co-workers via e-mail and cell phone, and going through the twice-a-week process of laying out the news pages.
It’s hard to believe that only 15 years ago, I worked on front-end computer systems and VDTs (video display terminals) that required extensive coding to format stories and headlines.
Our copy printed on light-sensitive paper, the excess was trimmed off with a paper cutter and scissors, and the backside was waxed so it would stick to layout sheets that were arranged numerically on
pasteup boards.
After proofing, the page would later be shot to create a negative, a plate was produced and it went on the press.
The business has really changed. Sometimes, I miss the “old days.”
The turnout for the Tropical Montana Marimba Ensemble concert this past Friday was lower than what I had anticipated.
The Troy Fine Arts Council and the Kootenai Heritage Council in Libby teamed up to bring the group to town. The concert served as a fundraiser for the Troy group.
I had never heard marimba music and it was a treat to watch and listen as this talented group cranked out the tunes – all with big smiles on their faces.
Although I had been at the Heritage Museum in Libby for last year’s chili cookoff, I got my first good look at it on Saturday during opening-day festivities.
I love history and it’s fascinating to re-live the past through the museum’s displays and exhibits. A good way to learn about Libby and the surrounding area is to go spend a few hours at the museum.
I met an interesting fellow named Warren Denny, who has been panning for gold out at Libby Creek for the past four decades. A museum volunteer, he was on hand at the gold panning exhibit.
He’s never struck it really rich panning but it has certainly helped out from time to time.
The Amish school benefit auction was also staged this past weekend and I was wishing I had extra money to purchase some of the fine craftsmanship on display.
In fact, I wouldn’t mind owning one of those Meadowlark Log Homes one of these days.
Anybody interested in buying our 40 acres up by the Grand Canyon?
The meal was one of the best I’ve had in a long time. Chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, a roll and this awesome sweet coleslaw.
Apparently, there were some problems with the grill and some folks got undercooked chicken. We didn’t experience that at all – ours was just great.
After walking around for a few minutes, we soon found ourselves back under the tent enjoying pie. So much for the diet.
(Brad Fuqua is managing editor of The Western News. E-mail him at thewesternnews@gmail.com ).