West: It don't come easy

By MIKE WEST

An old Ringo Starr song keeps popping up in my head.

“It don’t come easy ... Got to pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues,
And you know it don’t come easy.
You don’t have to shout or leap about,
You can even play them easy.”

And just in case, you don’t know, Ringo was the drummer in a group called “The Beatles.” But he recorded this one back in 1971 after the “mop tops” split up.

Well anyway ... that “got to pay our dues” line keeps popping up in my head as we continue a little project at the Cannon Courier. This project is called learning InDesign.

InDesign is a set of software used to design newspapers. Huh? Newspapering has come a long way since the old hot-type days. Everything, and I do mean EVERTHING, is done on a computer. Stories, headlines, photos, ads .... you name it....are all done on a computer screen.

For a couple of decades, much of this work was done through a computer program called Quark X-press. Recently, we made the decision to switch to a new application called InDesign.

These two applications are just similar enough to make you absolutely NUTTS.

But we are struggling to learn something that will eventually make our jobs easier and more efficient. Unfortunately, along the we are are likely to make some crazy mistakes. We ask your forgiveness in advance.

***
There all sorts of great things about Woodbury and Cannon County, but one of my favorites is how the Square comes alive on weekends especially in the spring.

Last weekend was the perfect example. Activities “sprang” into life all over Cannon County.

On Saturday, the Square awakened to the sounds and sights of an enrollment fair as the local Head Start program looked to sign-up new participants. Mid-Cumberland Head Start offers research-based and age-appropriate curricula and learning activities for children ages six weeks to five years. Our programs focus on age-appropriate play and individualized learning opportunities. All children are involved in our educational and fun activities including music, art, storytelling and recreation.

Mid-morning, activities kicked off at Short Mountain Distillery. There was music, tasty treats and mule wagon rides as the folks at the distillery celebrated their second year of business.

The distillery is always a beautiful place with a certain “throw-back” attitude especially when the music is flowing and folks are sitting around enjoying the wonderful Cannon County atmosphere.

Saturday afternoon was the first Cruise-In on the Square with all cars, trucks and motorcycles welcome. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the Cruise-In catches first-time visitors off guard with the diversity of vehicles ranging from scruffy “rat” rods to beautiful, classic cars.

The next Cruise-In is set for Saturday, May 24. Don’t miss it!

For a glimpse of upcoming events in Cannon County, please check out “The Cannon Blast” in today’s Cannon Courier.
And please don’t forget to notify us about coming events. Give us a call at 563-2512 or send us an email at news@cannoncourier.com.

You can drop by and visit us as well. Don’t forget that we are now in our new location at 113 West Main St. We are right across the street from The Scoreboard restaurant on the same side of the street as First Bank.