New London Notes: English teacher turned correspondent 30 years ago

Ellen Simmons
·1 min read
Ellen Simmons
Ellen Simmons

In my weekly column, I write about the news and people of the New London area.

In this case, I include myself in that group.

Today, I want to take some space to thank the Times-Gazette for hiring me 30 years ago this month to cover the area. At that time, I had retired from teaching and moved back to New London where I was born and raised.

After looking around for part-time work, I came across an ad for a correspondent to cover New London news for the publication. Having taught English, I felt I had a leg up, though journalism is much more than stringing sentences together.

I interviewed for the job, was hired to cover a council meeting on a trial basis and, as the saying goes, the rest is history.

I have enjoyed working with several different editors and reporters over the years.

Now for some news tidbits:

  • The Josh Hess Memorial 5K walk/run begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at the New London Recreation Park at 2 Blake St. The cost is $15 and proceeds go to the Josh Hess scholarship fund and suicide prevention.

  • The New London Athletic Booster Club annual reverse raffle/dinner is 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in the Hileman Building at the Recreation Park. Tickets are $100 and include two meals. Email fawcett.tax@gmail.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: New London: 30 years a journalist; Josh Hess Memorial 5K is Oct. 9