Chronicle Editorial

Thanks Joyce
     For the past 36-and-a-half years, if you stopped by the Hampton Publishing building located at 9 2nd Street NW, one person was always gracing the hallways.
     This Friday, that trend will end, and out beloved Joyce Schomburg won’t be doing that anymore.
     She’s elected to retire after so many years of service.
     Mid-America is truly losing a valuable member of our family — our “Hampton Encyclopedia,” so to speak.
     Joyce, who started with Mid-America on June 19, 1980, has decided December 30, 2016 will be her final day with the company.
     For her time and dedication we truly thank her.
     Last Wednesday, Dec. 21, the staff of the Chronicle surprised Joyce. As part of our annual Christmas potluck, we privately celebrated Joyce’s legacy at the paper.
     As I told her that noon in front of the staff, she survived three company presidents and “broke in” a host of news editors throughout the years… more than we could count.
     She was always the default go-to source for family trees, historical perspectives, or general knowledge on people our new staffers could count on.
     I should know. Because 19 and-a-half years ago, she was that resource for me.
     As she begins to enjoy her retirement, she’ll have one final task. Attend her public celebration. On Friday, January 6, from 11-3 p.m. the Hampton Chronicle will celebrate her retirement at the Chronicle office. We encourage any and all community members to join in by telling her thank you for the community service she’s given the paper and the community through the years.
     To that, we will be eternally grateful.