Finally, 15 for 15

As a newspaper reporter I find myself making lists on a regular basis entitled Things to Do. Now there’s nothing wrong with that especially if I need a story or two to fill out a page in the weekly paper at deadline time.

There is one thing, however, that has always been very high on that list, probably right at the top, and after a few decades I came to the conclusion it would be out of reach.

Back in the 1960’s I found myself gathering information on property sales from the Newport Register of Deeds Office. Those reports covering all property sales on a weekly basis in Sullivan County had high readership. At least that has always been my belief.

Anyway, that lifelong goal always evaded me. The older I got, I realized that goal might never be reached.

And it seemed so simple. There are 15 communities in Sullivan County. All I wanted was to have at least one property transfer from each one in the same week. A few times I came within one or two but never hit the 15.

And then it happened. It was a team effort.

Every Friday morning I stop by the Sullivan County Register of Deeds Office and gather all the property transfers from that week, right up until I leave around 10 a.m. Two weeks ago was no different.

When I finished the task I was told by one of the ladies working at the Register of Deeds Office that I should have property transfers from 13 of the 15 communities. With her help it was determined that there was no action that week in Langdon or Springfield.

Knowing that the Deeds office remains open for business until 3 p.m., I made a strange request. “If any property transfers come in between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on that Friday that are from Langdon and Springfield, please call me and I’ll go through my notes to see if that makes 15.”

At 2:30 p.m. one of the ladies called me to report those two towns indeed did come through. She sounded excited. I was excited. However, before receiving that call I double checked and discovered there were four communities, not two, that had no transfers.

I didn’t to break the disappointing news to her but it would do no good to try and cover it up. All someone had to do once the paper came out was to count the communities that had property transfers that week. The total would have been 13, not 15.

She reported transfers had arrived from Langdon and Springfield. At that point I had to fess up. What about Lempster and Goshen? I asked. “Got them.” She blurted out.

It was hard for me to believe her response. All four came in after noon on a Friday. Amazing.

Though I believed her, I needed to get a copy of those four property transfers in the event any reader did some counting and came up two short. I made a special trip to the Deeds office and gathered that information and added all four transfers to my weekly list. Yes, it was 15 for 15.

In nearly 60 years as a reporter, this was the first time I was fortunate enough to strike it rich . It probably won’t happen again, but I can cross it off my list. And I have the ladies at the Sullivan County Register of Deeds Office to thank. And because of them, it was a fun event.

I gave each of them a copy of the list as it appeared in the Argus-Champion the following week. And then there was another surprise. That list was attached to a posterboard. This column will also be placed next to the list for display in the Register of Deeds Office.

Now I have to move my No. 2 thing to accomplish into the top spot. First, however, I have to figure out what it is. No. 1 was around for so many decades the list below it just faded away.

But I’m glad I never gave up on going 15 for 15. To many people it might seem like a strange goal. To me, however, it was within reach and it was never too far away. And, finally, with some help, it happened.

• • •

Smith will be Missed.

After a long and successful run, Chris Smith has stepped down as the Parade Organizer for the annual Newport Winter Carnival Parade after 12 years at the helm.

“Many factors played into this decision including but not limited to the fact that I have not actually seen a parade of 12 years, the number of phone calls with people questioning why I have done something or ways they think they can do it better and also the fact that I think it is time for someone else to impart their ideas and energy that I seem to be lacking.

“Wee have had a good run and I am willing to help; the next person along but it is time for me to step aside. I could not have been successful in doing this without the help and support of all of you and also my colleagues at the firehouse. Thanks so much for all you do and I am sure that the next person will also be successful.

“Please understand that this was not an easy decision or one that was made hastily.”

Chris Smith will be missed at future Winter Carnivals. And so will his enthusiasm for doing such a great job over his 12-year run.