On May 1, managing editor Michael Raine did something I had never seen him do before.
He danced a little jig in the doorway of my office, a grin splitting his face from ear to ear.
Why was Michael so happy? The same reason I was — and am — although I was seated at the time, and it was hard to jig.
Robin Booker was in the building.
Robin was our most recent journalism school intern from the University of Regina, and spent three months with us last fall. I have seen a lot of interns in my time, and Robin was one of the best.
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Now he has graduated, and we are collectively thrilled that he has accepted the position of web reporter and editor at The Western Producer.
I admit that I am inclined to gush (rightly) when talking about the staff here, but believe me when I tell you that Robin is going to be a great addition to the editorial department. Here is a bit of his history.
Robin is from Roblin, Man., although he graduated from high school in Provost, Alta. and started his working life operating heavy equipment in the pipeline industry.
Robin decided his future lay elsewhere, and he enrolled at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where he took an honours degree in sociology.
Soon after, he returned to Manitoba to take over family land near Roblin, and is the fourth generation to manage the farm.
Concurrently with farming, Robin was a treatment worker with the Aboriginal Child and Family Service Agency in Manitoba.
But Robin always enjoyed writing, so he decided to shift careers and attend journalism school.
When he joined us for his practicum as part of his degree, he had already logged some real time at the Brandon Sun.
Last summer, Robin decided to try something fun and new, and agreed to host a music festival on his farm. I think he is still contemplating turning it into an annual event.
Robin is a kind, mature person who has a lot of skills. He can write a sentence (!), shoot a video, run a work crew, gently counsel families, conduct an interview, tell a story, and seed and harvest a crop. He is also going to make our website much, much better.
Welcome to The Western Producer, Robin.
