A concept born from milestones

There’s an adage in the news biz about assumptions.

We never write about an event taking place until it actually does.

I used to edit a small weekly newspaper back in Michigan. One of the local writers couldn’t attend a group’s monthly meeting because it was after the deadline, so she’d write it AS IF she had been there.

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“A good time was had by all,” she’d write on Tuesday about a luncheon the next day. I put a stop to that. What if the event didn’t happen for some reason? 

So, it’s with trepidation that I toss out today some significant milestones that haven’t yet taken place. While I’m confident nothing stands in the way of these events, the little birdie that warns me of pending doom is poking its beak into the back of my neck.

But I’m going through with it anyway. Because I have an idea, a concept really. It’s in the exploratory stage (fancy words for I ain’t figured it out), and can go into a hundred different directions. I’m not going to get into that today, but here’s where the inspiration comes from:

— Just Wright Citrus is closing in on 10,000 Facebook followers. I am astounded by that. I mean…that’s a big number, man. Social media is not my strength, and I’ve learned as I went along, but even I realize 10,000 of anything is significant.

A quick mention about FB followers: While that strokes my ego, the purpose is to widen the net of folks engaged in the community through JWC conversations. I’ve lost count of the number of people who say the only reason they have a clue what’s going on around here is through the blog.

Geez, there’s the mission. Telling people things they should know, and they wouldn’t know if I didn’t tell them. Folks who once scratched their heads at the goings-on in Citrus County now participate in discussions of our biggest challenges. I mean…c’mon…that’s the real deal right there.

Hitting 10,000 Facebook followers in just the blog’s fifth year will be a reflection on the community, not me. It says Just Wright Citrus has cemented its place as a hybrid of information gathering, disseminating, and discussing. Citrus County’s think tank, as a friend once described it.

By the way, I’m admittedly neurotic when it comes to FB follower numbers. I usually post when we cross a big milestone, but the countdown is excruciating to watch. I’ll be rolling along, adding six or seven followers a day, then suddenly…all stop. Or — this is fun — they start to roll back.

We hit 9,900 on Saturday. When I shut down Thursday night, we were at 9,922 followers. It’s like watching the odometer.

When 10K happens, you’ll know.

— Last weekend, I quietly celebrated 39 years in Citrus County. If I’m still around on Feb. 20, 2027, I’ll be a Citrus Countian for 40 years.

And not just a resident. I’ve chronicled (excuse the pun) much of the news here for those four decades. As I like to say, I know a little bit about a lot of things.

Well, truthfully, Oct. 24 altered my reality. The focus has shifted. My entire attitude and outlook on life changed. I’m finding inspiration in all sorts of places and situations.

It all centers here, in this community. Time for me to give back.

We’re at the concept stage, so I’m going to leave it there. But here’s how you can help: If it has happened in Citrus County since 1987, and you think it’s significant, let me know. Jar my memory. I’m trying to compile the major events of my time here, and that starts with asking people.

More is to come. I’m having lots of conversations with folks right now, so I can mold this concept into a workable idea.

I can’t say it enough. Thank you. There’s no way anyone saw this coming, least of all me. I just wanted to make sure Citrus Countians still had a voice. Turns out, that’s what you wanted too.

Have a spectacular weekend, friends.

Join the discussion on our Facebook page.
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