That's All, Pholks

Well pholks, I've come to that proverbial fork in the road and have taken it.

With the economy and businesses in particular facing tough times, cost-cutting measures at the Valley Voice are separating me from my occupational home of 24 years.

Despite what most pholks believe, Miles Around was just a part of my professional news reporting and writing career, a resume which has extended more than 44 years in Visalia.

But this column has been unbelievably enjoyable, personally rewarding, fun, emotional at times, a tad controversial, a way to tease, provide a unique or sometimes off-beat perspective on events, people, social situations but mostly life in general from what I consider myself as, an everyday pholk who thrives on social connections. I've pulled a few legs, teased and campaigned for and against hundreds of personal and social causes. I don't anticipate that ending. After all my grandfather, Link, was known as a friend to all as his tombstone reads. I like to think I'm following in his footsteps. My wife, Kathy however, proclaims that I'm addicted to people.

With Miles Around running on various frequencies from three times a week, to once a month, to weekly for over 35 years, the total number is well over one thousand.

If you've been in the area for a long time, you, a family member, neighbor, co-worker or friend may well have been mentioned in Miles Around in some way or another.

Admittedly there have been times when someone has approached me to mention something I wrote about them or a family member and it has forced me to draw out a hint enabling me to respond. Being able to recall things like that is perhaps the biggest reward I've received over the decades. It isn't always easy. Often I come across a long-forgotten column and spend considerable effort trying to recall what prompted it or under what circumstances it was conceived. Of course some were simply silly or not worthy of any further thought.

Since being abruptly compelled to take a new life's path, it has been very touching to hear from so many pholk who have gone out of their way to share their thoughts, concerns and memories – and initially to express ire at losing each anticipated installment of Miles Around. But they quickly began encouraging me that other avenues for Miles Around would open.

At least a dozen stepped up to repeat the cliché that when one door closes another opens. Other long-time friends and acquaintances have advised me to look at a half-filled glass rather than one half empty.

I have to admit that I could not help myself from corny comebacks to both of those offers of encouragement.

“Sure,” I said, “when that one door closes the other that opens will be a 15-story elevator shaft.” And as far as that half-filled glass is concerned, I'm going to make sure what was poured into it and by whom.

The truth is that even though I turned 67 years old two days after my lay off, I am not ready for retirement. General McArthur said, “Old soldiers never die they just fade away.” I haven't come across a significant quotation about old columnists, but I do know that I don't intend on fading away.

There simply are too many pholk for me to write about, too many silly thoughts about events, society, out of control technological advances, everyday heroes, everyday stupid events and general thoughts to just have fun with and hopefully generate a smile or two or provoke some sideways thoughts.

When I arrived in Visalia on Feb. 8, 1967 to take my first professional journalism job with the Visalia Times-Delta, the city was inching ever so close to 25,000. A lot has happened since then and the experiences, people, events and opportunities continue to be etched in my mind and hopefully will remain there for many years.

My current goal is, of course, to obtain work that utilizes my experience.

And even though I've given up my rented room in Visalia and returned to my family home in Knights Ferry I will remain connected in whatever way the Good Lord provides and whatever way my expanded horizon leads.

Miles will be still be Around.

Readers can stay connected with Miles at: MLShuper@gmail.com

The above story is the property of The Valley Voice Newspaper and may not be reprinted without explicit permission in writing from the publisher.