Charlotte with little John Dennis a few year back!

Iuka Police Chief Randy Stringer with then Assistant Chief Glenn Whitlock

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Eighteen months ago, I sold the newspaper that had been my home for more than 50 years. It was bittersweet, but a blessing as I soon found out. In August of 2022, my husband Jimmy became ill with a septic right knee, later a badly infected left knee, and a year later he is just beginning to get around without the help of a walker. This past weekend he drove his truck for the first time! This was a giant step, and I am proud of his improvement. It has been a long road.

While sitting around at home, watching TV every day, I made the statement, “this is one year I won’t be working during another election.” How wrong I was! Today I am back at the newly remodeled Vidette office on Front Street, greeting and helping politicians just like I had for so many years. After a year of hospitals, doctors’ offices, and nursing homes, I was glad to be back on the job, even if it is just for a few weeks.

Small-town elections are a big part of a local paper. When my dad started the Tishomingo County News in November of 1967, James Hector Bishop was the sheriff of Tishomingo County, and George William Cutshall had just been elected to take the office in 1968. George served until 1976. Chester Dawson served from 1976-1980; Amos Bates 1980-1984; Bob Payne 1984-1988; Richard Dobbs 1988-1992; Johnny Nunley 1992-1995; David Smith 1995-2004; Glenn Whitlock 2004-2015; and John Daugherty until today.

Through my job at the news office, I knew these men well. I am so lucky that my position gave me the opportunity to know all of the elected officials in our county. It just seems that the sheriffs were older back then, but maybe it’s because I am older now and these young men serving were babies way back then. David, Glenn, and John Dennis are all “kinfolk” on the Biggs side, which made them a little “special,” especially to my dad.

Those running for sheriff over the years were all gentlemen in their dealings; of course, most wanted to talk to Johnny to get a good deal! Many things have changed since 1967, thanks to computers. Two or three people can do today what it used to take four or five to do in a news office.

Thinking back: One of the highlights of elections, when I was growing up, was coming to town on election night and waiting for the returns to be posted on the big blackboard in Jaybird Park. The children played all over town, in the streets, as the parents patiently waited for the returns. Again, computers have changed the long, slow nights of getting returns. The paper couldn’t go to press until we received all the totals on Wednesday, and then they were handwritten in brackets for easy reading.

I remember one election, years ago, when one of the largest boxes in the county, the National Guard Armory, didn’t come in until late Wednesday. Votes were counted by hand then, and they just didn’t tally up (sound familiar). What a day and night that was getting the paper out and printed.

So don’t ever say you won’t do something again, you never know what the future holds. I know I am happy to be back seeing the people. I have missed my work, and I will try to help our current owners until a new editor can be found.

I want to thank everyone who has been so kind to Jimmy and me this past year. We have needed help many times, and our neighbors and family were just a phone call away.

Also this week, I want to extend my love and sympathy to the family of Glenn Whitlock. Glenn was always a delight to deal with. He was witty and kind – a good man who served the people for 11 years as sheriff. Thanks, Glenn, for all the memories and the good work you did.