It’s been three years since Jan Swoope, the much-loved and award-winning Lifestyles Editor of The Dispatch passed away after a determined fight with cancer. Her loss was felt deeply not just here at The Dispatch but in the community as a whole, especially where the arts, food and community events are concerned.
While Jan did not have the opportunity to choose her successor, we are sure she would be pleased with the arrival of our new Lifestyles Editor, Abigail Sipe Rochester, whose philosophy for the Lifestyles and Food Sections of The Dispatch closely resembles Jan’s own.
Rochester is the third Lifestyles editor since Jan’s passing, succeeding Robert Scott, who served as editor for roughly a year before accepting a position at Mississippi University for Women. She joined The Dispatch in February as the news reporter in Starkville before moving into her new position last week. She is not a newcomer to the job, having reported on lifestyles at the Starkville Daily News prior to joining the Dispatch.
“I have always loved telling people’s stories,” Rochester said in an interview announcing her new position. “My focus has always been on people and their passions. Whether it’s food, gardening, philanthropy work, feel-good stories, or anything else on the lifestyle pages, it’s all about people.”
Sound familiar? It should.
For 13 years, Swoope built a Lifestyles and Food Section that the Golden Triangle could claim as its own. She had a quality that served her well in that effort: An enthusiasm for the ideas of others almost as if they were her own.
We believe Rochester has this quality, too.
Swoope arrived as Lifestyles Editor at The Dispatch at age 54 with a wealth of contacts that came from her varied interests as a lifelong resident of the Golden Triangle. Those connections in the arts, culinary, community and charitable organizations helped Swoope hit the ground running.
At age 23 and having lived in the Golden Triangle for only about 16 months, Rochester doesn’t have that deep reservoir of contacts that served Swoope so well.
That’s where you come in.
To all the artists and musicians, all the crafts people and home chefs, all the community volunteers, all the church and civic group leaders, all the hobbyists and gardeners, all the animal lovers and collectors, this is your opportunity to build a Lifestyle and Food Sections that continues in the spirit of Jan Swoope and consistent with Rochester’s vision.
When deciding whether to send a tip, many readers ask themselves, “Is this really worth a story?” The answer to that question is often, “Yes!”
Rochester welcomes your contributions and ideas. You can reach her via email at [email protected] or by phone at 901-590-6255.
She will appreciate it.
And we have a feeling Jan Swoope would, too.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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