Putting together this special edition of the Richfield Springs Mercury in honor of the Richfield Springs Central Schools graduating classes of 1955-1965 has been an amazing experience for all involved. In a way, it has been a celebration and a reunion for us here at the paper as well. A year and two months after the Mercury ceased its weekly publication, Jay Bernhardt contacted me and asked if I would be interested in collaborating on a very special project. At the time he was just testing the waters to see what sort of support the idea would bring. I signed on immediately to serve as editor and to cover and write whatever was needed. Tania Hallberg was the next to climb on board to fill in as Production Manager. Solidifying the team and tying us all together was Stan Thompson, our faithful and diligent ad sales representative. The three of us worked well together, helping one another with this monumental task when we could. We worked as a team, not as individuals focused only on their respective assignment. What ensued was exactly what we always experienced when the paper was publishing weekly. We received a tremendous outpouring of support and contribution by the community. Everyone was so happy to hear we were back, if only for one publication in September. “Working on this special edition of The Mercury has been exciting. It reminds me of what a great group of people we had collaborating and working together to bring the newspaper to the residents of Richfield Springs and the surrounding areas. Putting this issue together was just like riding a bike, once you get back into it, everything comes together in a cinch!” said Tania, in the final days of laying out the paper. “Thanks for giving me the opportunity to be part of this project. It was great to call on the businesses and talk to them again. The interest in this special edition was phenomenal,” added Stan. “Growing up and living in Richfield Springs for 31 years, it was an honor to have been a part of the team that brought the RS Mercury back to Richfield Springs,” Tania said. As for me, I have always enjoyed working with the Richfield Springs community. You all personify everything I believe a hometown should be. Covering the reunions showed me the camaraderie was real, all the stories and legends of Richfield Springs were based on truth...for the most part. Working with Stan and Tania again was easier than I could have ever hoped. Creating the paper over the Internet was a breeze and exciting, since this was the first time we actually tried this concept we have only spoken about. Thank you Tania and Stan, for helping me with this project. Also, special thanks to Don Urtz, who was there with me every step of the way, covering events with me; covering events when I could not be in two places at one time; capturing shots I did not see; and bringing his unique, down home perspective to this edition. Thank you, Jason, for your direction and for overseeing the details, and your intervention along the way. Most especially, thank you, Jay, for entrusting us with this very special project you held near and dear to your heart. All the best, Janine Giordano
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