The end of an era, perhaps

ERA (n.) -- a long and distinct period of history with a particular feature or characteristic.

That’s how Webster’s Dictionary describes an era.

Well, I guess it’s safe to say that today marks the end of an era (at least for now). The Hudson Reporter Newspapers chain, an organization for which I’ve proudly written sports for 29 years and had a stint of 14 years where I wrote straight news as well, informed me that my services were no longer required.

Because of the coronavirus outbreak that has devastated the nation, the powers-that-be at the Reporter have decided to “suspend” my association with the paper. I was told through e-mails that there is no need to write about sports, because there are no high school or college sports – or pro sports, for that matter – to write about.

So after 29 years with the Reporter and covering Hudson County sports for 36 years, I have unceremoniously been given my release.

But in my mind, I think there’s always a need for sports. It serves as a major distraction from the rest of the horrifically sad news that we’ve all been handling recently. Sports always provide the happiness that comes with a winning touchdown, a long 3-pointer, a home run. Even without actual games ongoing right now, there are still sports stories to be written about, achievements to be recognized, features to enjoy.

So I might have had my avenue of conveying those stories to the great people of Hudson County and beyond eliminated (for now), but it’s not going to stop me from writing.

For now, you can find my work on my blog, which will feature the same things like they did in print. So there will be an Athlete of the Week this week, my own selections for All-Hudson County basketball and a regular column that will focus on Hudson County sports as well as the occasional dabble into pro sports.

Look for me here on Facebook and Twitter and click the links to read my work.

I’m very sad for it coming to an end like this, but I’m also encouraged to think that it’s not my end. I have this blog. I have my Podcast – this week’s guest will be football coaching great Ed Stinson and next week will be FDU head men’s basketball coach Greg Herenda.

And more importantly, I have my friends, so many friends that I’ve established through my sports writing, people who I never would have even known otherwise if it wasn’t for my long career. Well, I knew Herenda, but that’s another story.

If anyone has an idea for me to write about during these tumultuous times, let me know. Next week, I’m going to write previews about the baseball and softball teams in the county that I normally would have written about in the Reporter. Reach me at OGSMAR@aol.com. You can’t get rid of me that easily. Peace.