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The @OrlandoSentinel newsroom had character and was filled with characters. This column from @Scott_Maxwell encapsulates life in that newsroom so well. A few moments still stand out to me, nearly four years after leaving. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/scott-maxwell-commentary/os-op-orlando-sentinel-newsroom-closing-scott-maxwell-20200828-tif2h5xobvamloipogqaspagdi-story.html
We found ways to liven up the place. One year, someone put Christmas lights on a fake cactus. As far as I know, it's still there. We found a prop monkey in a newspaper box, called him Smokin' Monkey and put him in a new costume often (that's mostly the work of @tzigal)
Then there were moments that just happened. Like the time that I found Ted Nugent's phone number in a database and gave it to @Bearlando to check out. I'll never forget Steve Hudak telling me how angry he was that his number was in a government database. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-bill-ted-nugent-hunters-info-20160107-post.html
"Where'd you get this [number]," Nugent asked.
"Gotta change that," the rocker said before ripping into PETA, liberals and political correctness.
That led to the one time that I almost got a public record law restricted by accident. It failed.
https://floridafaf.org/senators-block-records-exemption-for-hunters-the-news-service-of-florida/
"Gotta change that," the rocker said before ripping into PETA, liberals and political correctness.
That led to the one time that I almost got a public record law restricted by accident. It failed.
https://floridafaf.org/senators-block-records-exemption-for-hunters-the-news-service-of-florida/
I still miss those kind of interactions in the newsroom that led to some great stories. I got to cut my teeth with the best. Too many to name, but I'm looking at @bearlando, @maryshanklin, @renestutzman and countless others. Just too many to name.
There was the night that a bunch of us spent the night in the newsroom as Hurricane Matthew approached. It felt like a slumber party. Someone should ask @SteveLemongello how quickly he can run through the newsroom. Remember that @jessilespie?
These moments really provided some much needed levity to a stressful job. Those good days really outnumbered the bad. The week of June 12, 2016 is still seared into my mind. It always will be. It hurt, but having that newsroom full of friends and family provided so much support.
It was in that newsroom that I made lifelong friends, learned a lot about investigative journalism, and had my life change in wonderful ways. It was where we came together to do what we did best - bring the people of Central Florida to the rest of the world.
And if you made it this far, consider subscribing to your local paper. There are @orlandosentinel-s all over the world. They're probably covering your community too and they need the support.
