Our Times Team Filled With Stars

I t isn't always easy to find good employees. Despite the poor economy, or perhaps because of it, adults otherwise employable people struggle with substance abuse and reliability issues. Even some self-employed contractors sometimes have a hard time showing up sober or on time or to live up to the expectations of their advertised services.

And then there is the question of professional qualifications, which are often difficult to gather in a small community like ours.

That's why an employer like The Times is blessed to find parttime staff members who make a solid and predictable contribution to a small business' success. With its unforgiving deadline on Tuesdays, a weekly publication relies more than some businesses on employees it can count on week in week out.

Former Times publisher Tom Baker introduced several former staff members of the Times during an evening presentation at the Commercial Club meeting designed to reflect on the "Then & Now" of the the Times: the technology of publishing newspapers, community relations, the weekly deadlines, the new social media and so on.

There is of course Bettie Chase, who turned 92 this weekend. The rest of the long list includes Lewis Ogden, Sally Chase Baker, Doris Hulce, Anita Baker, Bill Thompson, Thelma Heckart, Doris Huffman, Carol Beasley, Alice Griffin, Sharon Miller, Charles Baker, Peggy Baker, Loyal Baker, Valori Gawith, Ron Miller, Dick Baker, Mike Saranovicz, Rob McKinney, Patton McKinney, Eddie Banka, Pat Davison, Joanna Lanning, Adele Smith, Orville Hagerman, Nan Thames, Carol Huwe, Jody Peck, George Gagnon and Ron Carlson.

Baker thanked them for their years of dedicated service. These ladies and gentlemen ensured that readers were informed about weddings, anniversaries, obituaries and made sure the newspaper came out without too many mistakes by proofreading copy.

They set type, ran the press, operated the darkroom, mailed out the paper and so on.

This week, we have our own staff member to thank.

Norma Bessey is moving on and she will be missed. After being at the the Times for more than three years, Norma decided to dedicate more time to her work at the fire district. We want to wish her all the best in her pursuits. Supporting the work of our firefighters is a noble and critical service to the community.

Norma was steadfast in her job at the Times. She was our offi ce manager and prepared such items as the birthdays, Pioneer Portraits, obituaries, engagements, weddings, classified ads, thank yous and memorials.

On many an occasion when other helpers were unavailable, she came in to help us prepare the newspaper for mailing. She was an all-around trouble shooter and gave us news tips and advice about our community.

We want to thank Norma for her service to our business and to our readers. Good luck!

Replacing Norma is Tawnya Richards, whom has lived in Waitsburg for half a decade and comes highly recommended from previous office management and administrative positions at Regency At The Park, Curves and AmeriGas Propane in Walla Walla.

Just like Norma before her, Tawnya, who recently married Mickey Richards, the owner of our beloved Izzy the Camel, will be our link to subscribers and readers.

She will handle questions about your subscriptions, advertising bills, legal notices invoices and printing jobs. Plus, if you need some basic office supplies, you can purchase those through her at the Times' office on Main Street.

The Times carries an article about the change in our reception area this week. We want to welcome and introduce Tawnya, who will be greeting you by phone or in person at our office Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

She follows in the footsteps of part-time employees going back to the newspaper's founding in the late 1870s. All these decades, they have made it possible for a small company like ours to thrive.

Welcome aboard, Tawnya and thanks to Norma and all those who came before her. We couldn't put out or run the newspaper without you!