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Kelly Brewer, now and Zen
Yes, as a matter of fact, this is a photo of Kelly Brewer, former editor of the Record Searchlight. Doesn’t she look marvelous?
Gosh, what do you know, there Kelly is again, on the masthead with me.
See how happy we look together? We’re having the time of our lives. Pure joy. (The photos were taken by Mitsy Krzywicki. Hi, Mitsy! Thanks again.)
To explain how this happened, I should start at the beginning.
Technically speaking, Food for Thought was unplanned. She was a love child, quickly conceived in November after my messy divorce from the first newspaper I’d ever known.
In the last nine months, tiny Food for Thought at donigreenberg.com grew from a fertile seed of a blog to a healthy, strong, fully developed independent journalism site.
Food for Thought even gained a middle name: A News Café.
Just relaying this story leaves me feeling as emotional as a new mother, so proud to show you the many ways in which Food for Thought has matured. She’s so smart. She’s got a great sense of humor. She’s curious and saucy and fearless.
From the start, Food for Thought was lucky to have you, a stable, doting, ever-growing family. You drop by often. You offer sage wisdom and advice. You’re supportive and helpful. You’re funny and interesting.
Give yourself a pat on the back. You helped make Food for Thought what she is today.
The thing is, as much as I adore my Food for Thought baby, she’s got a voracious appetite for information and graphics that no single web mother could maintain:
News stories, feature stories, photographs, interesting quotes, death notices, press releases, public records, community events, food stories, recipes, discussion forums, and links to other media sites. That’s not counting more than a dozen bloggers and more than three dozen community writers and experts.
Makes me tired just to write it.
I did my level best to satisfy Food for Thought’s increasing appetite for independent journalism, but I knew I couldn’t do it alone.
No wonder every time you visited Food for Thought you found me holding a wine glass. Again.
Kelly Brewer joined me and helped rescue Food for Thought, just when I didn’t think I could keep up the pace one second longer.
Kelly’s a friend.
But we met as colleagues five years ago when she left her home in Albuquerque to accept the job as editor of the Record Searchlight. I was the paper’s opinion columnist.
Kelly was the editor who gave me the green light to develop the paper’s first local food section, which I did.
Kelly was the editor who said yes, of course, leave now, do not give another thought to Sunday’s column, when I told her I was worried about my son.
To know Kelly is to love her. (And as she likes to say, if you love her, you’ll read her.)
I loved when she and the paper’s former publisher were known as the “yes” girls for their enthusiasm and willingness to think creatively and make their people happy.
I loved Kelly’s don’t-spook-the-herd management style, probably gleaned from being raised in New Mexico ranch country — such a refreshing contrast to many newspapers’ gut-the-herd philosophy.
I loved Kelly’s Zenlike countenance, under even the most taxing circumstances, such as when she was new to the paper and the emergency scanner squawked about a fire in her neighborhood. She stayed and finished her story meeting. If she worried about her house burning down, her face never betrayed her.
I love knowing that Food for Thought is in able hands with Kelly on this team. She’s an award-winning newspaper journalist, but she’s just as comfortable online. In fact, Kelly first waded into cyberspace back in1990, an e-dinosaur era.
She’s the friend who said yes to helping raise Food for Thought to its full potential.
We’re together again. Better than ever. The best is yet to come.
Yes.
p.s. To see the other secrets, click on my button on the left side of the home page. You won’t believe your eyes.
p.p.s. To read material by the other talent, click on their photos on the left side of the page.
2,270 views
How exciting. Even from New Mexico I can hear the sound of ink-stained fingers drumming a desk and the gentle counterpoint of gnashing teeth. Tee hee. What a wonderful community and fantastic group you have here. (OK, I’ll admit some bias.) Congrats! Kudos! Carry on.
Wow! So MANY things to be excited about! What a dynamic duo! And your new layout is beautiful. Very very cool, too, about the talented new voices on the site. Congratulations! You must feel so proud!
Oh. My. Gosh. My two favorite newspaper ladies together again. Plus Jim Dyar. Plus Phil Fountain. Whew! Gonna be good? Uh uh. IS good!
Looks fabulous! Congratulations, ladies — watch out, world!
You. Rock.
Congratulations, Ladies. Over the years when I visited my parents in Shasta County, I could read your respected columns in the printed newspaper. Even in Southern California (thanks to modern technology), I have been able to read your words, via the newspaper’s website. Although I didn’t always agreed with your viewpoints, I still enjoyed the journalistic styles you’ve developed and nurtured over the years. And now you’re back together (after much suspense and hype in the FFT site). Since I’ve got to rush off to my employ, I won’t be able to check all of the new site until later today. Continued success in your joint effort.
This is gonna be like Christmas (or Hannukah, or Kwanzaa) every day!
Congrats! (Kelly’s cousin Amanda, here). I’m at the other end of the country in Pennsylvania, but we’re cheering for you. Excelsior!
This looks ab fab, Doni! Good job!
So THAT’s what Kelly’s been up to! I knew she seemed awfully busy lately.
But seriously, folks, the new website looks great. Congrats to everyone in the FFT family
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Oh Doni, I’m so excited for you guys. The layout is fabulous, and your cyberpals rock! I was getting concerned at the hours you were keeping. I hope you can take a breather now and then. You’re obviously a wonderful webmother. Your baby is not only thriving, it’s had a megagrowth spirt! Congratulations. This is creative, professional, and a joy to read. Might have to put a second pot of coffee on each morning to finish FFT! Lots of love and best wishes to you guys!
THE NORTH STATE MEDIA DREAM TEAM!!!!! Good luck to Kelly, Jim and Phil! We are so blessed to have you all as supporters, friends and constant inspiration to be creative and innovative. I know it’s going to be good.
Troy and Adam - HawkMan Studios
OK, you hired that hack cartoonist? Your funeral, I guess. Maybe now he can pay back the $12 he borrowed last month. How much Benzine does one guy need, anyway?
Hooray!!!
As I’ve been going through your site (with pleasure), I have been furthered cheered by what you have added, refined and created. Congratulations on this next step. I would consider that you are now in the Big Leagues.
Woo hoo!!!! Fabulous!!!!
Woooo hoooo!!! Looks great! Best wishes to all of you!
Cousin Kathy
Wow, this is awesome. Congratulations! I love seeing so many familiar faces. The new site looks gorgeous. Well done!
Nice work, Doni. Once again you have succeeded in making my job easier
Now you’re talking…the community wins. Congratulations!
This is very cool.
Hi Kids!
The true local talent flocks together.
Unique all, multi-colored birds of a feather…
I feel so PUMPED UP and proud of you!!!
With our love & lots of good thoughts,
Iliana, River & Alan Phillips
Wow…Doni, Kelly, Jim, and the hack cartoonist, Phil who’s heard saying, “what ? Me Worry?’ et all who’ve put together one nice looking web site…”looking Good!” Much skill and expertise to put on the cyber and reach the world wide audience, you’ve out done your self and ya don’t haft to out source to Nigeria or order barrels of ink and paper. And you don’t have to answer to big old Scripts-Howard or the big rook Silass.
What a wonderful age we’re going with and it’s getting bigger and better. Thank You Greenbergs for keeping the faith and Doni for keeping the ol Chamberlain get in their face attitude.
Keep it up and congrats and smiles on your new look.
Love ya’ll
Budd, The World’s oldest living Teenager, Humanitarian and resident Tree Surgeon :>)
Thanks, everybody! Your shouts and cheers can be heard a long way. Y’all come back now, y’hear? There’s plenty more where this came from.
All I can say is I love the new look and I absolutely LOVED seeing Mike Mangas promote your new website on the KRCR 6:00 news! Both of you, Doni and Kelly did a great job with the interview. I expect more and more people to “tune in” to your site every day! I will!!!!
Yippee! So glad Mike (Channel 7 news) told us where to find you. Wishing you continued success and lucrative rewards from your new venture. I’ve added you to my “favorites” so you can’t escape again.
Okay, I can’t help myself, you guys ROCK.
As of 5:00PM today you have had 5, 300 page views and still growing!
Congratulations.
Awesome job, everyone! I’m so excited for you! I love it!
Fabulous! The website looks wonderful, and what a great cast you have brought together. I can’t wait for more!!
This is exactly what has been missing since all of you left the paper…The buzz of what people are really talking about here in OUR town, by people that give a hoot. You will definitely be the talk with this website. Thank you for giving us this alternate view. Congrats and good luck!
Cry your heart out, scratchlight! Long live FOOD FOR THOUGHT!! Thank you again, DONNI.
I am glad I discovered this page, quite by accident, I might add. I taught Kelly Brewer’s son Seth Spanish when he was in the sixth grade. Met her online through email. Doni, I used to love Wed and Sun mornings so I could read your columns. When you went to cooking, I loved all of your recipes. I am pleased that this site exists. Thank you very much. This is exciting! Your website is also fun to read and enjoyable to the eye.
Thanks Darcie, Actually your number accounts for only one section of the website. The total page views (according to Bluehost) for the first 24 hours of the new Food for Thought, A news cafe’ was 37,755.
High fives all around
Congratulations on your beautiful new website! I didn’t have any idea what you had in store for us, but it is wonderful. I just recently formally introduced myself to Kelly, and I’m a huge Jim Dyar fan, so I look forward to all your creative energies in one place. And Thom G — Wow! I’ll bet you never would have believed this could happen in all of your wildest dreams, huh?!!?
THE NORTH STATE MEDIA DREAM TEAM..that says it all! Love it!
You’re right, GrammaLyn. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this. Maybe that’s why “media dream team” seems so fitting. (Credit clever Adam M. of Art Hop fame for first coining that title for us.)
Thank you everyone for all the kind words and support. We feel so happy, and so very fortunate. Tell others about Food for Thought - A News Cafe. You’ll want to return often. More fun to come. You won’t want to miss a thing.
xodoni
I met Kelly this afternoon at the Writers Forum annual food fest, and overheard a discussion about some kind of website. Doni’s name was mentioned too.
What a surprise to log on and see what has been happening. Things have been so quiet since they left “the paper” I wondered what could be going on - these ladies aren’t known for being quiet too long.
Congratulations on a much needed fresh, lively resource for our community. I haven’t explored how to offer contributions, so if you have a moment - let me know.
Bob
I would like to say congrats on your new layout. It looks good and flows easy. I am disappointed in the R-S, the written news now comes across as amatuer journalists, if they really are? I always admired Kelly Brewer, she was upfront and brave, to her credit. What a neat team you all have created, Kelly Brewer, Jim Dyer and yourself, probably the most popular of all that previously worked for the R-S.
Can’t help it, part of me feels so sorry for the R-S, whoever is in charge made mistakes. Probably won’t happen, but they (?) should bend their knees and ask all of you to come back and strive to become a decent local paper again.
Donna
PS: I have this site saved in My Favorites.
High fives all around is right!!
Congratulations, gals: “The total page views (according to Bluehost) for the first 24 hours of the new Food for Thought, A news cafe’ was 37,755.” HOLY SMOKES!
O.k., so I hate to break in on this fabulous new News Cafe… But, ah, has anyone been reading this item about Christy Lochrie taking the Record Searchlight to court over sexual harassmant charges she filed with the EOC??? Check it out:
http://christylochrie.com/
http://christylochrie.wordpress.com/
No further comments at this time, your honor
Congrats, Doni, Kelly, Jimbo and Philbert. I knew that the Phoenix would rise from the fire. And this is a darned good flight plan. As I’ve said before, Doni, you deserve it. (Competition is always a good thing. Keeps everyone on her toes — and that serves the community.)
-Christy
By crackers (notice the food connection-smile), if this don’t beat all: Two of my Fav Writers barnstorming. I know what you mean by Kelly’s Zen approach; it is on her car and she means it.
This is going to be better than sliced bread. Great to see my favorite Entertainment Guy, Jim Dyar on this great site.
You go girls, the new format is just absolutely awesome!
So glad you are together. I was a subscriber of RS from the time I turned 18 until Doni “left the paper”, some 45 years. In all that time, Kelly was the only Editor who just made me feel like the Editor was a living, breathing part of our community who actually cared, not only about the paper, but also about our community.
I am so glad for this site and for all the good things that are happening here. It’s exciting to drop by.