Flashes of Panic

The reuse of articles subject (from yesterday) reminded me of another odd appearance in print. I was contacted by the local club about reuse of my “Keystone Species” column in their newsletter. I think they saw it as something of a memorial for Steve. I referred them on to RW, and I assume they got permission because RW regularly allows such things.

This, outside of my own involvement, is where the mayhem started. First, this note in the minutes of the club’s October board meeting:

There was discussion about an apology to be sent (but not published in the [newsletter]) to [name] of the [other general-athletics store], regarding a small piece about the demise of the [old running store]. It was a late, “fill entry” reprinted from Runenrsworld online write by [me]. All agreed that while we didn’t want to offend a generous supporter of the club, no offence was intended.

(All sic, of course, though I’ve removed proper names, including my own, to avoid Googleism.)

In other words, the board didn’t really get what the column was about, but the other store did, and was disappointed. (Face facts, though, folks: you don’t fill the gap, and the column explains why.)

The next twist came from New England Runner, which actually lists me as a contributing writer on their masthead. (I wrote a feature story for them once, yes.) NER has a monthly column, “Club Notes,” with a rundown of what’s going on in the many running clubs around New England. The writer works mostly from club newsletters. Can you guess where this is going?

Yep, after the board got finished apologizing for my article, NER led off the “Club Notes” column with it, and quoted it extensively (including citing me as the author.) Fortunately, the NER columnist actually understood what I was trying to say, and didn’t see it through the lens of local retail and sponsorship.

Just as a kicker, this last publication is probably the only place my father would have seen it.

Now Playing: You Don’t Know How It Feels from Wildflowers by Tom Petty