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Readers Comments:
Memories of the Clarion Publications poster child

Being the eldest (and of course most important) child of Publisher Corrin Strong, I have grown up with the Clarion. I remember the early days in the basement of WYSL, wondering how long this crazy plan of my dad's would last.

After the offices were moved to 40 East Main Street, former home of The Little People's House, I began to realize that this was for real. I remember typing obituaries and answering telephones. I was a lucky girl, playing secretary in a real office with actual clients and employees.

During this period, my mom wrote the Avon column. I was always the first to remark that she was the best writer on staff and could write a better column than my dad anyday. The working relationship led to too many fights, though, so I wasn't too disappointed when it ended.

School picked up during my early teenage years and I was unable to help out for a few years. I began reading the paper regularly and that is a habit that I still enjoy to this day. The summer after my sophomore year of high school, I was ready to re-enter the world of Tuesday deadlines and working for dad.

Known as the "Clarion Intern extraordainare" or more likely the go-fer, I worked for the paper for the next two summers. I was trained in advertising, reporting, editing, layout, anything that needed to be done.

My most important role at the paper, however, was as Clarabelle, the Clarion Color Copy Center Clown. For three summers in a row, I was a highlight of the Geneseo Summer Festival, walking up and down Main Street with a bunch of balloons and a stack of free papers. While not one of my proudest moments, I will never forget my days as a Clarion employee.

Now, as a student at Ithaca College, which is over 100 miles away, I keep up with my roots by reading the copy of The Clarion that is delivered to my dorm every week. After skimming the editorial for my name, I often call my father to complain when I am not mentioned in the paper at all.

It doesn't seem unreasonable that such a vital part of the paper's history should be mentioned on a regular basis. In any event, it is exciting that such an important part of my life has reached this milestone. Congratulations to my father, who has put his all into The Clarion for the last decade. And dad, just remember, if you need a break, you know who to call....

Mary Alice (Malice) Strong

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