COLUMN: T&D’s ‘best all around’ retiring after 48 years

Earlier in the day, rain comes pouring into the newsprint warehouse. Who gets to deal with that?

At 11 p.m. on the same day (believe it or not, this kind of day has happened), the power goes out. Who calls for information about when we might be able to run the press?

The day before is anything but restful with the need for preparing a mass mailing, this while the deadline is at hand for arrangements to be made for a newspaper community event. Who gets the jobs done on time?

Meanwhile, a T&D employee has problems with getting information about being away from work on sick leave. And there are issues with a time card that doesn’t match what the employee says he worked. Who’s to handle?

“Hey, there are no paper towels in the restroom.” Who’s getting more?

For the better part of nearly 50 years, The T&D has had a person to handle these and scads of other duties: Georgianne Walton.

Come Nov. 1, the woman behind the scenes for everything that keeps the newspaper operating will retire. No one is looking forward to the day – maybe other than Georgianne.

How it started

A native of Orangeburg, Georgianne began work at The T&D 48 years ago on Nov. 26, 1976, at age 19, after completing Willington Academy and attending Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.

In her words:

“Publisher Dean Livingston’s daughter, Donna, and I were friends since fourth grade at Sheridan School. The Livingston family has always been very dear to me. I stopped by here (T&D office) to see if there were any openings and to fill out an application.

“Donna was here working over the Thanksgiving holidays. When she saw me, she said, ‘Georgianne, did Daddy get in touch with you? He was just asking me if I knew what you were doing because he has an opening in the composition department and wondered if you needed a job.’

“I told her that I had not spoken to him, but that very day I had been to Southern Bell and DPU looking for a job and was passing by here and thought I would see if there were any openings. So it was meant to be! I started the following Monday, not knowing what I would be doing or what rate of pay, I just knew I had a job!”

Thus launched a career that would see her fill multiple roles.

“I worked in composition for a few years, then transferred to the business office. Over the years, I have had many titles: business manager and assistant to the publisher, human resource director, assistant controller, production manager, and currently operations director.

“I have had three great bosses: the late Dean Livingston 1976-1999, Cathy Hughes 1999-2022 and currently Blake Dickie.” Dickie is based in St. Louis, where he is regional production director for T&D parent company Lee Enterprises.”

Her bosses

Cathy Hughes, T&D publisher from 1999-2022: “If a business is lucky, it has had a member of its organization that just has special innate qualities. Of course, she is dependable and fair and completely loyal. Other employees gravitate naturally to this person with ideas or concerns and she prioritizes their needs. She relates to all departments.

“She seems always to be in the right place at the right time to help solve problems, and if not, she gets there in a hurry. She is a relationship builder by nature and not by design.

“The Times and Democrat has been extremely lucky for the past 48 years to have had Georgianne Walton on its team.

“I came to know Georgianne in 1976 – her first day was the day after my first daughter was born, so we ‘met’ each other a couple months later. We have been close ever since.

“Her talents were evident early and both former Publisher Dean Livingston and I depended on her greatly.

“Over these many years, Georgianne and I shared each other’s personal and professional experiences, challenges and accomplishments. Georgianne helped me in so many ways, and she has been an integral part of The Times and Democrat’s success and mission over the years.”

2. Blake Dickie, Lee Enterprises: “Georgianne has been terrific to work with. Her knowledge of Orangeburg’s operation is extensive. She has been highly professional in all my interactions with her. It’s been an honor to work with her.”

Cuz and ‘sister’

No one has been closer to Georgianne than Mona Garrick, who retired in 2023 after 50 years at The T&D. Theirs has been more than a work relationship.

“Our grandmothers were twin sisters. I got to know her when our grandmothers would get together for cookouts, dinners.

“She was always this tiny little girl. I always called her Pee Wee (many others know the 4-foot-11 Georgianne as Teeny).

The close ties continued through all the years at The T&D.

Mona says, “Georgianne is very devoted and always has been. She is a very original person. She fits in easily. She can talk to anybody.

“She’s had to keep up with every employee. She knew them all and had to keep up with them.

“And she knows everything about what makes the paper run: supply closet, accounting, computer room, plumbing, alarm, you name it. She always kept up with everything. Her job did not stop at 5 p.m. Hers was like a 24-hour job.”

While Mona is a cousin, Georgianne has a “sister” with T&D ties.

Lyn Crosland retired from the newspaper after 42 years in a business office job for which Georgiane recommended her to Publisher Livingston. Georgianne knew Lyn well, with the two having met in high school.

“She is one of the best friends I have. She is just like a sister to me. We are really close,” Lyn says. “I couldn’t have gotten along without her.”

Same for The T&D, Lyn says. “She was like the lifeblood of the newspaper. She helped everybody out. She had to keep up with all of us.”

Lyn recalls a day in the office when the fire alarm sounded. All were amazed at the speed of Georgianne’s reaction (even though it was a false alarm).

“Most people won’t think of Georgianne  as athletic. … She grabbed her purse and was across the street before I could even get across my desk. She was very athletic when she needed to be.”

Lyn and Mona plan to see Georgianne in retirement and stay in close touch. And Mona has some advice: “I just wish she would relax.”

Going forward

Toward relaxation, Georgianne will be spending more time with her husband, daughter and grandchildren.

But she will not forget The T&D: “I have so many good memories and have made so many great friends working here. I will truly miss my T&D family,” she says.

And The T&D won’t forget her.

Teams in the sporting world frequently designate a “best all around” player. At The Times and Democrat, the award over many seasons goes to GEORGIANNE WALTON.

So many echo me in saying thanks for always being there, Georgianne. It’s time to take a break.