It is like a death in the family. Words alone often cannot express the loss of a dear friend.
So, this is a note of condolence as well as admiration to those employees who have remained loyal these last years to The Cincinnati and Kentucky Post as the Joint Operating Agreement with the Enquirer played out to its end.
Were it not for the fact that I retired from the editorial staff of The Post 22 years ago in 1985, I would be with you today when the paper ceases publication.
For 43 years, beginning in 1942 at The Kentucky Post and ending on "the Cincinnati side," as we so often referred to the difference, the newspapers gave me the opportunity to photograph the news makers of my day, a city and region in transition and chronicle the ever changing sports scene.
I recorded Xavier University football's presence and witnessed its demise. I saw professional basketball begin with the Cincinnati Royals and was there the first night Cincinnati Gardens opened with major league hockey. I watched admiringly as Ohio Gov. Jim Rhodes whipped a Cincinnati Bengals franchise into existence and then covered the first game the new team played at Nippert Stadium. I too said "Sparky who?" when Anderson was hired. I found out as the Big Red Machine took its place in baseball history. From 1962 I watched Pete Rose begin his career. And, I watched it end.
I was there at Riverfront Stadium the night of Sept. 11, 1985, to picture him break the record of hits set by the legendary Ty Cobb. That was fittingly the last published professional photograph I made, retiring a few days later to end my life work.
Sure, I miss it all. But, most of all I will miss The Post, that "old friend" that gave me the opportunity to see it all for over one third of its celebrated and honored 126-year history in the Queen City.
Publication date: 12-31-2007
