Home / Archive / VOL. VII NO. 03 02/15/2026 / SU FYI

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VOL. VII NO. 03 02/15/2026

SU FYI

  1. In Memoriam: Joanna Humphries

    Look at the picture of Jo in the attached obituary and you will see what her friends saw and what we all miss — her grace, her kindness, and her simple beauty. Click Here to see Joanna Humphries Obituary
  2. The Journalism Corner: The History of the Obit

    Since newspapers first appeared, space was always an issue. Readers look for hints in the wording to discover bias. Actually, what the newspaper includes and what it leaves out is the best indicator of bias.

    In labor or the cost of paper, space was always expensive, so, editors tried diligently to select the most important items. Obituaries were a challenge. They were limited to space available. An old friend of mine started as the obit writer for a city newspaper. He said he learned everything he needed to know about news writing by fitting a whole life. manner of death, and those left behind into the space available.

    If you were famous, your obit was considered news and was printed free. If the manner of death was news – such as those who died on the battlefield in, say, the Civil War or century later at Ground Zero – the names were printed as news. If you were not, then there was a charge.

    If you were that frequently referenced “common man” or woman there was a fee for posting your obit. When local newspaper emerged (see editorial) and today in Stockbridge Updates there is no fee. To us, we know you all, you are our family, our neighbors, our friends. So, so you are all famous to us.
Photo: Dana Goedewaagen
Photo: Dana Goedewaagen

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Stockbridge Updates Statement of Purpose

To inform without opinion or pressure and give the people of Stockbridge the facts they need to make informed decisions.

To provide space for opinion, but since facts and opinions are different, to clearly mark opinion pieces, and clearly identify the opinion holder.

Stockbridge Updates is a periodic newsletter delivered through email.

Carole Owens, Executive Editor

Stockbridge Updates Policy with Respect to Submissions

SU welcomes your letters and other submissions on all Stockbridge subjects, history and current events, news and human interest, whatever is on your mind. As with articles and opinion pieces, letters are 400 words or less, no personal attacks, and always attach your name. SU does not include personal information and will delete telephone numbers, email addresses, post office boxes, and street addresses. Limit one submission per month.

Carole Owens, Executive Editor

Stockbridge Updates: Format

SU is attempting to present a consistent format for readers. SU begins with its Table of Contents. The SU Editorial is next and then the News. News is divided between one-time events, such as the election and events around town, and recurring reporting, such as the Notes from… section. It is called Notes from… because SU attends the town meetings, takes notes, and reports what happened. If SU has a comment or question, it is at the end of the meeting identified as Editor’s Comment or Editor’s Question. The next section is Contributors. Under contributors, you may find Stockbridge history, opinion pieces, or information from a Committee Chair or elected official. Our final section is Reader to Reader, our letter section. The issue closes with the SU Statement of Purpose and Policy for Contributors. We welcome all letter writers and contributors; deadline on the 10th for the issue posted on the 15th of the month and on the 26th for the issue posted on the first.

Your Submissions Welcome!

Submit comments, opinion pieces, and letters to the editor to carole@stockbridgeupdates.com

If you want to look at back issues, go to: our archive page

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carole@stockbridgeupdates.com