Ever since I began at the Journal which was over two years ago, it was a bit difficult for me to really grasp the concept of change.

It happens all around us. We change jobs, cars, vacuum filters (the third one is personal as I need to change it soon).

Here at the Journal, change continues to be the ‘norm’. We’ve changed staff, changed offices, changed websites. But there are a few constants around here. One is the ‘third page interview’.

The ‘interview’ which is what it’s mainly called around town, has been in the paper since its inception. We’ve interviewed people such as head coach and general manager of the Brandon Wheat Kings’ Kelly McCrimmon  to Trent Burdeniuk, the manager/owner of Ruckers  (this week’s interview).

Just last week, I decided that after another great year of the WCJ Brandon High School Athletic Awards, which were doled out earlier this month, I felt as though the dynamic duo of Fred Haight and Janet Dagg of ‘Brandon Trophies’ were a perfect choice for an ‘interview’.

Fred and Janet, a brother and sister, were gracious enough in letting me come into their workplace mid-afternoon, during one of their busiest times of the year and close the store for a brief period of time just to talk to little old me.

I do many interviews over the phone, but I tend to try and do the third page interview in person. These interviews are different. They’re personable and I am trying to get to know these people. The best way to do so is not over the phone, but face to face.

Fred and Janet were like many Brandon residents who have had an ‘interview’ done on them. They were a bit standoffish at first, but soon realized that I’m not so bad of a guy after all. I happened to throw out some funny bits here and there, making them laugh, lightening the mood, so to speak.

Near the end of the interview, I happened to ask whether or not I will be receiving an award for this interview, jokingly, not expecting one obviously, but attempting at getting a witty response. They responded positively, saying that I will indeed be receiving one with the engraving ‘Biggest Snoop in the World’.

I guess they felt I’m a bit of a ‘snoop’.  Now why on earth would they think that? I think I may have the answer. It may be the 25 questions I asked them about sublimating and engraving.  Poor Fred and Janet.

Late last week I received a phone call from Fred. “When are you coming to get your trophy, snoop?”

I guess Fred and Janet weren’t lying.

Now I’ve won a few awards in my life, but nothing that will be engrained in my memory like the award I received last week.

It’s a keeper.

…

So, early Tuesday morning as I was writing this column, a member of the Provincial Exhibition walked through the doors of the Journal to present me with a press release. This ‘release’ notified me of a press conference the Provincial Exhibition is putting on.

Why is this interesting you ask?

Well, usually, we media folk get regular ‘press releases’ which are often emailed, faxed or even telephoned to us, notifying of something that’s transpired in the community.

But this ‘presser’ as we say in the ‘biz’, was a bit different.

This one was a bucket of popcorn with a laminated press release sitting inside.

Talk about trying to get the media’s attention with a bit of bribery.

It worked Provincial Exhbition people.

It certainly did work.

I will be attending the press conference later this week.

With that being said, could the rest of you who send me press releases, please send chips and coke next time with your press release?

I’m all about chips.

I’m kidding.