Friday, October 30, 2009

Thrills and chills await Manchester kids

This weekend the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual downtown Halloween celebration. The event is always a lot of fun because local kids and teenagers come out dressed up in their costumes to get candy from the local downtown merchants.
This year there is going to be some new activities like "Pumpkin Bowling" hosted by the Manchester Lions Club. Children of all ages have a chance of winning some pretty neat prizes for knocking over a set of "bowling pins" with a pumpkin.
For the adults looking for a little fun on Halloween, just a short drive to Ann Arbor, the Quarter Bistro and the Delirious Love band are hosting a "Monster Mash Bash" featuring costume contests, live music, a Halloween-themed dinner menu and more. The top prize, a copy of The Beatles Rock Band for Xbox 360, will be awarded to the best dressed costume.
We hope to see everyone there!

~D.L.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

So long, farewell

By Alexandra Sondeen
Guest Writer

It’s times like this when I’m not sure what to say. Well, I’ve never known a time like this in my short 22 years but clichés came about for a reason.
After working with The Manchester Enterprise in one form or another for over a year, I have to say goodbye. I’ve said goodbye before, but it’s a hard farewell this time, as I’m not just going back to college.
I’m leaving Manchester for a job in Jasper, Ind. as a general assignment reporter for The Herald. This is a big step out of what I’ve always known and into the unknown that is life as an adult. And frankly, it’s terrifying.
In uncertain times for print journalism, I’ve managed to land a good job for which I am eternally grateful though I have not yet even laid claim to my desk. And I have The Manchester Enterprise to thank for my success.
It was through our community newspaper that I was able to stretch my legs and get a footing in journalism. I came to the Enterprise just after my junior year of college looking for an internship that would increase my chances of getting a job after graduation. I found far more than that.
I found a family.
I enjoyed working for the paper so much I came back as a freelance writer and photographer after graduating from Eastern Michigan University in April. I’ve had a blast working on local stories for the last seven months and learning what community journalism is all about.
It was The Manchester Enterprise that gave me my first shot at professional journalism. The stories I wrote and spent hours covering led me to my first full-time position in the field and this giant step into real life.
But if there’s one person I must thank above any other, it is Daniel Lai. As the former editor, he let me in the door as an intern. He was my sounding board for ideas and my guidance when writing. Daniel let me pester him to death with questions and e-mails and tag along to production so I could see how everything was put together.
He taught me how to layout the paper using software on the computer and how to dance around sensitive issues when writing. His e-mail was routinely flooded with far too many of my photos for the paper, but never mentioned it. The man is tireless and I see great things for him in the future.
Last but not least, I must also thank the Manchester community. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people and learning new things while on the job. They were your stories that I told which led to this life-changing move. Thank you for the privilege of telling them.
From the deepest part of my heart, thank you all. I hope to visit often and will always harbor a vast love for my hometown, its people and The Manchester Enterprise. It’s so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen and goodbye. Goodbye, and I’ll see you around.
Alexandra Sondeen
Manchester

Thursday, October 8, 2009

There's the teeth you've been waiting on

Yesterday and today I have been out of commission due to minor oral surgery to extract two wisdom teeth. Of the four teeth, one grew in sideways and had to be taken out. Its partner tooth also had to be taken out. Despite everyone's attempts to calm my nerves (I do not the thought of someone cutting into me), I was nervous well up until the point where the medicine knocked me out. Luckly, everyone was right. Except for this afernoon, nothing seemed to hurt. Now the mouth wounds are starting their routine throbbing. It isn't bad though. I have something wrapped around my head with ice packs. It also gives me a day to catch up on some work and sleep. In two weeks I am due back for a follow up exam. I never thought I would get tired of ice cream and pudding, but I've definitely had my fill for awhile.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Office notes

Since moving from Manchester to the Saline Reporter's office, it has been a nice change of pace to have more collegues and friends around. All of us work extremly hard to put out quality products. Behind the scenes we are all great sources of support for each other and friends. One of my collegues issued a challenge to all of us recently to be more friendly to our neighbors and more optimistic. I think that's a great challenge and I will attempt to embrace that.
I also enjoy the friendships I have forged here. Everyone in the Saline office has a unique personality that brings it to life. To the staff members who read my blog posts, thanks for your feedback.

DL