One of the aspects of this position I have recently been enjoying the most, is its process. To get the proper information for articles, journalists must fact-check themselves against a number of sources. This can become quite tedious, when phone calls lead to voicemails and e-mail responses are untimely. However, if the odds are in your favor, it can be quite fun and exciting, as I found out this past week.
Earlier, I had pitched an idea to my executive editor that dealt with the Burton Street skating rinks. I got the go-ahead, and started searching for information.
I first contacted Ted Bartlett, the unofficial village historian. He offered up all the insight he could on the skating rinks, and gave me a phone number. He told me to contact Chuck Race, one of the men that was close to the Cazenovia Youth Hockey Program.
I called Chuck. He gave me a few valuable pieces of information, and suggested I call his brother, Rick Race. I called Rick. He was a also good source of historical facts; and another phone number, he told me to call Mark Costello. I called Mark, former hockey coach for the high school. Mark was very helpful with dates, then he recommended I call Bob Stintson.
So, I called Bob. Bob is married to Bobbie Stintson, who is the daughter of Bob Kelly, the man that helped start the program in 1961. I had hit the jackpot. Bobbie had an expansive photo collection, and Bob had a scanner. Over the course of a few hours I sat and talked with the two, learning more about the skating rinks and the life of Bob Kelly.
It was an incredibly enjoyable experience, both as a reporter and Cazenovia resident. Having lived just up the street from these rinks, I never really knew their history.
I want to thank the Stintsons and every other source I contacted this week, for all their help.
