Joyce Sequichie Hifler's Think On These Things

[Hometown]

While I'm a frequent critic of the Tulsa World I am also a fan (without illusions).  The Tulsa World was the paper I grew up with and nothing says Tulsa to me more than the Tulsa World.

One of the things that made the Tulsa World the Tulsa World was Think of These Things by Joyce Sequichie Hifler.  Her writing was always a high point of the paper.

In a time that is increasingly superficial her contributions really stood out because they were thoughtful and reflective and were never half baked.

I recently read or heard something that led me to believe that Ms. Hifler is no longer contributing to the Tulsa World.  I hope I am mistaken.

Not too long ago she contributed a piece that was particularly meaningful to me.  I have been struggling with whether or not to quit working and she put this very complicated struggle into a few succinct words.

"We are afraid of cutting ourselves loose because it seems like quitting life — but it isn't. Being brave enough to step into the next phase of life and being responsible for how we use our free time can be one of the greatest things we will ever do. Important things fill the hours and we have better health and better attitudes, and now we have something to give others — not just being a slave."

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080725_18_D5_spancl136936

If anyone knows what has happened to Ms. Hifler I would appreciate hearing from you.

I am going to miss her.
 

[GG]

I enjoy reading her words of wisdom too.   But now that you mention it, I don't recall seeing her pieces lately.  

The paper has been cutting back, I hope she was not one of the casualties.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

If anyone knows what has happened to Ms. Hifler I would appreciate hearing from you.

I am going to miss her.

There was a short blurb in the World about a month ago that Hifler was retiring and her column would no longer be published.  If you search the World website, you can probably find the exact details.

Reminds me of the old Troy and Joanne Gordon columns ('Round the Clock) from the Tulsa Tribune back in the '50s & '60s.  My family were friends of the Gordons and rated mention in their column on several occasions.

[RecycleMichael]

When my mother was a city hall reporter for the Tulsa World, her desk was next to Troy Gordon's. I would go to the paper after school some days and Troy always treated me very nice.

When it was time for college, I applied and was accepted at Baker University, his alma mater. He had described it as the perfect place for me and was correct.

[Hometown]

One very kind TulsaNow participant forwarded the attached link to me.  Click the link below to read about Hifler.  

It is not clear from the article why Hifler left the Tulsa World but it sounds like she is still contributing writing to other nearby papers.  I hope her departure from the Tulsa World was voluntary as the piece Steve read suggested.  If not -- shame on our newspaper.

Hifler is definitely a candidate for the Tulsa Hall of Fame after contributing to the Tulsa World for 40 some years.

Tulsa's paper of record has recently cut back on editorial content – that's a loss.  But the loss of Hifler is much greater.  

http://www.tulsaworld.com/lifestyle/article.aspx?articleID=20080824_67_D3_JoyceH961439

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

It is not clear from the article why Hifler left the Tulsa World but it sounds like she is still contributing writing to other nearby papers.  I hope her departure from the Tulsa World was voluntary as the piece Steve read suggested.  If not -- shame on our newspaper.

There was an article in the World just this past week on how they are consolidating sections and mandating their reporters to write shorter pieces, all in efforts to cut printing costs.  I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Hifler's column was given the ax purely to save money.

I have subscribed to home delivery of the Tribune and then the World, 7 days a week, for over 30 years.  My subscription comes up for renewal around Oct. 20th.  I am definately going to change to a max of Thurs.-Sunday only.  I can "cut costs" too.