MY APG STORY SPOTLIGHT

Athens Messenger

newspaper has changed over time.

Kids Tour Greeneville Sun

Dale Long, regional director of printing and distribution for APG TNNC-VA, explains printing operations at The Greeneville Sun. This group of homeschool children toured the award-winning newspaper in February. The photographer chuckled, Dale starts recruiting pressroom operators at an early age!

Visiting The Greeneville Sun

ATHENS, Ohio – Brenda Brown is celebrating a milestone in May –she’s worked 35 years for the Athens Messenger.

When Brenda started on May 19, 1988, she was 25 years old with a 5-month-old son. She’s the only full-time proofreader the graphics department has ever had.

Before Brenda’s job at the Athens Messenger, she earned a degree in computer science and accounting from Hocking College and worked for three years as a certified public accountant.

“With my background they thought I would have a keen eye as a proofreader which I did and still do,” she said.

Brenda said the production of the

“Over the years I have done everything from layout, paste-up, pagination, sales calls, circulation calls, stuffing envelopes for billing and customer service,” she said. “Times have changed significantly over the years, and we have come along way from WYSIWYG - End take, send take, next take to Quark Xpress and the MultiAd Ad blues.”

Celebrating her 60th birthday April 12, Brenda is a grandmother and the Senior graphics designer – producing ads for repeat advertising customers for decades.

“Some ads I have been doing for over 30 years and some commercial jobs for over 20 years so I must be doing something right,” she said.

Brenda always has a smile on her face, enjoys her job and her co-workers.

“I was taught at a young age to always treat people with respect and kindness and to work hard and always give it your all by going above and beyond any expectations which is what I strive to do on a daily basis,” she said. “I love my job and my co-workers.”

After 35 years in the newspaper business, Brenda offers this advice.

“If I have any advice to give you it would be to strive to make the most of every day and don't get stressed when things aren't going well,” she said. “Take time for yourself.”