“Bob, I’ve got some exciting news to share. You won first place in the National Newspaper Association award for Best Humorous Column. Congratulations!”
In essence, those were the opening words on a phone call I received several weeks ago from Katie Jones, managing editor of The Laurel Independent.
I was honored and surprised and even thought to myself, “This is hilarious on so many levels.”
Back Story One
The Laurel Independent launched in July 2022, and that fall, as my first published book, Rideshare by Robert, was being printed, I met with Katie Jones at a Laurel coffee shop. We hit it off immediately and talked about writing, life and the new paper. I hoped for an opportunity to write for the paper and was offered a column,“The Beat of Laurel.”
I am forever grateful to Katie for giving me a shot, and I’m so happy this award reflects well on the publication.
Back Story Two
Humor. It’s in my DNA.I was born into a Catholic family and had nine brothers and sisters. Humor and comedy were a big part of my early development process.
Both of my parents had a good sense of humor, albeit mixed with a little sarcasm and cynicism at times. My brothers and sisters inherited pieces of that unique blend along the way.
I carried it into the public square. Friends, classmates — you name it. Yes, even in the classroom. Some of my memories of Catholic school nuns and the teachers in public schools looked like an episode of “Friday Night SmackDown,” with the class clown, putting out his latest material to a very receptive built-in audience.
All except one. The instructor.
BAM!
I painfully learned early on that place and time indeed matter when it comes to expressions of humor. My knuckles are still sore from the well-placed whack of the nun’s ruler on the back of the hand. Those were the days when corporal punishment was allowed in school. But my nature remains intact as I continue to have a lens for humor in almost everything I experience in life.
Fast Forward
And so, this very special newspaper award is lifted above the awards and commendations from my past, not because it’s new, but rather because it represents less of what I’ve done and more who I am.
Katie and the entire team at The Laurel Independent provided me with a sweet outlet — not only for what I hoped would be my humorous content but also so I could highlight people and happenings around our hometown of Laurel.
Thanks to all at the paper and my fellow writers who guided and supported me along the way; you are the best of the best.
Sincerely,
Bob Reilly