Recent Stories
John Sewell
John Sewell plays many roles in Jackson, from his day job as the director of corporate communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield to his position on at least five boards, including the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Parents for Public Schools and the Fondren Renaissance Foundation. He is also a husband and father of three.
Fare thee well, mes amis
Today is my last day here at the Free Press. Tomorrow I have to go back to Oxford for my final year at Ole Miss. I've been in the office today fact-checking and revising, and I've also been wondering around the rooms remembering what I've been doing here for the past three months. There's the classroom where the interns had our classes with Donna and is also headquarters of the CCU (Cold Case Unit to you - t-shirts are forthcoming!). There's the Fly room where I would bug Stephanie while she was putting together purses and scarves for a new fashion spread. It's also where Lisa and I got ready for our brush with fame in the fashion shoot (My mom actually asked Donna to get her a blow-up of the Jackpedia issue with me on the cover, and I was dying of embarrassment because isn't it a little narcissistic to have a three foot tall picture of yourself in your house?). The editorial room where I spent ninety percent of my JFP life transcribing interviews, proof-reading, making edits and cold-calling strangers for this and that. It's also where I sang songs from Dr. Horrible to Maggie, Sage and Vince (they may have actually blocked this part out) and where I got to chat with other interns about Jackpedia and the Freedom Rides and what movies were coming out that weekend. The over-flow hallway which, while quieter, was a good place to get work done and get to see what's going on in the other parts of the office (Oh, my God, we have a kitchen?).
Work excursion ... or an excuse for an all-girl road trip?
Last Thursday and Friday, three interns (including myself), one former intern and Donna took a field trip to South Mississippi for a story. Several stories, actually, but none of them are a part of this story, so never mind. We all split up into three cars, (Donna was with me, mostly, I suspect, because she wanted to road-trip in my Camaro - actually, I don't suspect it as much as I know it because she told me flat out).
The Beginning
The Mississippi Sovereignty Commission, a state agency that spied on the activities of civil rights supporters, was what first led Eric Etheridge to the haunting mug shots of the Freedom Riders in 2004.
Stop, In The Name of My Textbook
After nearly two months on the job, I think I've finally decided what is my favorite part of being an editorial intern
'What's the Rush?'
The Jackson Public School Board began their search for a new superintendent after Earl Watkins announced April 7 that he would not renew his contract when it expires in June 2009. The board began their search almost immediately, though Watkins' end-date was more than a year off.
Caroline Hobbs
Caroline Hobbs fell into her unconventional vocation as a bail bondswoman "through a bad boyfriend."
The Rocky Road (unfortunately, I'm not talking about ice cream)
For some reason, sitting at the computer position makes my right shoulder ache. Just that one. It's like scapula tunnel syndrome. I'm going to need a deep tissue massage before I go back to school in August. The JFP may be fun, but it is not for the faint at heart. I still have blisters from when Stephanie and I walked around Fondren running Chick Ball errands, because, you know, I just had to wear heels that day. (Number 5 thing I've learned at the JFP: Always keep a spare set of flip-flops in your car.) I almost fainted once when I was waiting to go into a board meeting because I hadn't eaten. I was talking to a woman who worked in the building and I had to interrupt her to say, Um, can you show me to the bathroom before I collapse, please. I didn't actually say that, of course, I have, in fact, heard of tact, but I did sort of freak her out, which I felt bad about later. (Lesson 6: Always keep a granola bar in your purse, or large pockets, as the gender identification may be.)
Four Things
Things I've Learned Since I've Been at the JFP:
1. Always park across the street. When I went to interview the Lettuce Ladies (on my second day) I parked directly in the parking lot of the gas station where two young women were giving out free gas while wearing only bikinis made of lettuce. I had noticed that all the other reporters and cameramen had parked at the restaurant across the street, but I didn't want to try to cross the scary highway. When I got back in my car post-interview, I realized that the hordes of people trying to get the free gallons of gas were not about to let me out anytime soon. Lightbulb! I should have figured out that the older reporters had a method to their madness. It took me about fifteen minutes to drive the twenty feet to the highway, and the only credit for my car leaving in the same condition it came in goes to the fact that God looks after children and fools. Luckily, I'm a little of both.
Columbia Training School Removes Last Girls
After years of documented abuse and consequent lawsuits, Columbia Training School is finally closing its doors to troubled girls.