It’s been a wild ride, Macon. A final thank you for all the ups and downs

This is a difficult column for me to write, because I’m saying goodbye. 

Today is my final day as managing editor of The Macon Melody. I’ll take a week off and then, the day after Memorial Day, begin my new job with The New York Times. 

I can’t share the specifics of the job yet, but it’s a remarkable opportunity to work for an organization I’ve admired since I was a teenager. Last June, in the first edition of The Melody, I wrote about the impact that Gay Talese’s book “The Kingdom and The Power” had on me when I read it in high school. 

“Although it was written decades before I was born, Talese’s tale of the inner workings of the NYT seemed so fresh and vibrant,” I wrote. “This is where I want to be. Throughout college, my computer’s wallpaper was a photo of The New York Times headquarters, a daily reminder of my ultimate goal.”

Now, 17 years later, I’ve achieved that goal. I fulfilled a promise I made to myself when I was young, inexperienced and full of hope. It’s a dream come true.

*****

Launching The Melody was another dream come true. We’re not too far away from the one year anniversary of our startup community newspaper, and I’m so proud of the work that I and my staff have done on behalf of and with the
support of the
community. 

It’s clearer to me now than ever that Macon deserves a newspaper that tells the stories of all of its residents, that works to connect and to build, to hold accountable, to inform and entertain. 

Launching a newspaper in 2024 is tough. Running one in 2025 is even more difficult. But I did it because Macon deserves it and because I had a team of remarkable people in the trenches with me. There are too many people to thank across the National Trust and Georgia Trust for Local News, here in Middle Georgia and in Bibb County who supported our work, offered words of encouragement, donated money, bought subscriptions, sold ads. But I do want to say “thank you” to my staff, and challenge them. 

To my sports editor Micah Johnston, who has worked for me in some capacity for the past five years: I knew the first time we met that you were destined to do great things. This will sound egotistical, but you remind me of me — you want to get better every day, you care deeply about the work, about how it impacts our community, about the quality of our reporting. This next season will be a challenging one, but you possess all the skill and knowledge to thrive in it. Be sure to treat yourself with the same grace you extend to others.

To my photographer Jason Vorhees, who also has worked for me for the past five years at both The Telegraph and The Melody: You’re the kindest, most thoughtful person I’ve ever met. And you’re one hell of a photographer. I will miss sitting across from you every day. It’s a privilege to be your friend.

To my columnist, Ed Grisamore: It was an honor to be your editor when you returned to writing full time. You make this community a better place with your storytelling and all of us better with your advice, encouragement and wisdom. Thank you for all you do to advocate for The Melody.

To my senior government accountability reporter Laura Corley: You’re exactly the kind of journalist I’ve always wanted to work with. You’re tough and smart and just chaotic enough to keep me on my toes. I think the stories we’ve published together are some of the best, most important stories I’ve ever edited. You may not see it, but you are a born leader. I hope you foster that.

To my obit clerk, Janisha Rozier: As I’ve told you since back in our Telegraph days, you’re the most important coworker I have! Thank you for keeping me sane when the world seems like it’s spinning out of control and for keeping the angry hordes at bay.

To my general assignment reporter, Casey Choung: You, my friend, are hilarious. And sometimes you mean to be. You’re smart — really, really smart — and you’re going to do tremendous things in your career. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to give you as much advice and attention as you deserved, but you’re doing a wonderful job and I look forward to working for you one day.

To my community reporter, Evelyn Davidson: You do a good job connecting with sources and writing clean copy; you’re a strong, inquisitive writer who takes everything in stride, from story and layout assignments to editing advice. What you bring to the newsroom, however, can’t be measured in bylines and word counts. You are the straw that stirs the drink (that’s a sports reference, look it up, it will build character).

Thank you to Ross McDuffie for his constant encouragement and leadership, to DuBose Porter for his unwavering belief in the importance of local journalism and his kind and generous spirit, to Pam Burney and Danyale Starley for rolling up their sleeves and marching into battle with me every day. 

A special “thank you” to the AJC’s Joe Kovac Jr., whose camaraderie, experience, advice and general tomfoolery make every day brighter.

To everyone else who has made The Melody a reality, I thank you for joining me on this journey, and I know you’ll continue driving The Melody forward in my absence.

*****

This isn’t goodbye, though. More of a “See you around.” My new job is fully remote, so I can live anywhere in the country. And Macon is where I want to live. This city has welcomed me, loved me and challenged me. Friends here have become family. I fell in love here. 

I will forever support The Macon Melody, because this community deserves and needs independent, nonprofit journalism published by people who live here and care about this city. 

I invite you to do the same.

This is Caleb Slinkard’s last day as managing editor of The Macon Melody. Contact The Melody at news@maconmelody.com.