By Clay Barbour
Bear with me as I talk shop for a little bit. Journalists, and journalism itself, have taken it in the teeth for a good long while.
We can argue whether it’s fair or unfair. Believe me, behind the scenes we complain about decisions involving coverage and approach more than you argue over taking out the trash.
But what you might not know, what you might be surprised to learn, is that this profession is embarrassingly rich in talent. Writers, painters, musicians. We may spend our days informing you, but we spend our nights creating.
I was reminded of this recently when I started plotting out this issue. Two of the more interesting stories involve former colleagues of mine, both of whom spent nearly 40 years in journalism.
In the pages that follow you will find a nostalgic first-person account by Carl Fincke that connects a simple tradition to fatherhood, baseball, and the experience of growing older. Carl worked for The Virginian-Pilot for almost 40 years and was known to be something of a story doctor, so it’s not surprising that his personal writing is so engaging.
Also in this issue is a Q&A with scrap artist Sam Hundley. Sam spent 29 years with the Pilot and was known for his beautiful illustrations and kind demeanor. These days, he is creating incredible art out of the workshop behind his Ocean View home.
Those pieces fit nicely with our stories on the most popular cover band in Hampton Roads, a young man who has made recycling fashionable and a Virginia company that makes highly sought-after guitars. I think you will enjoy them all.
But the stories that stick with me most are the ones that remind me of hidden talents. And I’d wager that if you look around your office, you might find a few people who fit that bill.
Thanks for reading. And please, let us know how we’re doing
