Pictured Above: Bob, Lani and Dave in the late 1990’s. Photo by Chester Simpson

Well, here it is, New Years Eve 2025 with 2026 rolling right in. It is dark out and we are still trying to get this new issue to the printer. By the time you read this you will already know we were a few days late. This January, we begin our 38th year of bringing the Old Town Crier to readers literally “From the Bay to the Blue Ridge”.

It seems like just yesterday that David Underwood and I started the Crier. We had grand ideas…and little know how. However, it all worked out with a LOT of help from our friends. Dave was a fantastic traditional graphic artist and he took on the role of learning that new technology…the personal computer. He was responsible for the majority of the layout each month and we started with dry mounting print galleys to paper “boards”. If you want some clarification on that process, give us a call and we can run you through it!

We did our first layout in Dave’s dining room and we made a mess. We were lucky enough to procure office space on North Henry Street and moved the production there. It was very time consuming to say the least and required a decent amount of space and several pieces of equipment. Today, our designer, the talented Erin Koons, puts the pieces of the puzzle together digitally in her home after Lani “supplies” her with the text and some of the images. All done remotely with smart phones and laptops from our apartment that serves as the “office” or anywhere we might be that has access to wifi.

A short time after that first issue hit the streets, we got a call at the office. The woman on the other end remarked that “you guys have a good idea…but you sure need help”. That is when we discovered what an editor does. Francis Kilpatrick came into our lives at just the right time. In 1994, Lani took the Federal Employee buyout from her job with the USDA and offered to come on board with some decent management experience and a good handle on the use of computers.

As technology progressed and Dave got older, we used the talents of the people at Leesburg based Electronic Ink to handle the layout and design. It was odd not having an “in-house” designer but we worked with them for over 20 years before we brought Erin on board three years ago.

Dave passed away in 2007. It was a sad day for all who knew him and we miss his clever sense of humor every day.

While I usually pontificate about what is inside these pages in these notes, I am taking a different vent this month. I wanted to tell you about two people we have encountered in the last couple of months who we think should get some special attention. I think this is a good way to start out the New Year.

Meet Bee who works in the Service Department at the Old Town Shell station located at 801 North Washington Street. Twice, he has come to my rescue with just a phone call. The battery in my 2023 Tacoma died on North Washington across from the Post Office a month ago. I called the Old Town Shell Station to see if they had a tow truck. They said no but asked where I was. I told them and within a few minutes a mechanic from the station was at my truck with a portable battery charger. He got it started and I drove it to the station where they replaced the battery and sent me on my way. A few weeks later, I came out to head to the Blue Ridge to do distribution and I had a flat tire. Full disclosure all of the tires were in really bad shape and needed replaced. Once again, Bee came to the rescue with a portable inflator and we limped the truck to the station where he made me a great deal on new tires! My 1998 4-Runner is now in his capable hands for transmission fluid and some brake work. I would just like to recognize Bee and his team for being so ready to help.

Meet Cece, a postal clerk at the Wythe Street Post Office. We use the USPS to send out our subscriptions each month and most of the clerks we encounter roll their eyes when they see us come in. I understand that seeing two people with multiple large envelopes when you are a busy location, can be a bit off-putting for a clerk but Cece greets us with a smile on her face and a welcoming comment. In fact, we now wait until we can see her even if it means waiting extra time.

It is people like Bee and Cece that keep our belief in humanity these days. Something that is sometimes hard to do.

Look for all your favorite columns inside these pages and as always, feel free to let us know what you think by emailing us at office@oldtowncrier.com.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year with good things on the horizon!