Selfie from Camp Ondessonk where it all began.
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She won nearly 100 individual journalism awards at the Democrat, and the paper itself won the Hoosier State Press Association’ s general excellence award each year she was editor. It was the most honored paper of its size in the state from 2009 to 2021. Three times during those years, the Democrat won the HSPA Blue Ribbon Award, given to the paper that best serves its readers, all things considered.
But long, hard working hours for Sara came along with the awards, as she routinely worked 60 hours a week or more in a salaried position.
The Cliffords have three sons. Caleb, 16, is involved in high school soccer and musicals, the show choir, 4-H, and St. Agnes Catholic church activities. Samuel, 10, is a member of his school’ s robotics team, 4-H robotics programs, Scouts, the“ Circle the State with Song” program, and was chosen as a school ambassador. Henry, 9, is learning jujitsu, and participates in Scouts, 4-H, and Brown County Parks and Recreation sports. Sara and Derek help in many of those activities, and are also hosts for Victor, an exchange student from Spain who lives with the family.
She resigned the editor’ s job in 2021 to take the job at IU, as her job had become more stressful and she needed to spend more time with her family.
18 Our Brown County • Jan./ Feb. 2024
“ I didn’ t have the same heart for it,” Sara said of her decision to leave the Democrat.“ I was not serving the readers the way they deserved to be served.”
As managing editor for the geological survey publications, Sara finds scientists for peer review of earth science papers, edits the articles, and manages their production. She also writes a regular electronic newsletter, the E-Geo News, about survey research and activities. Several times a year, she also volunteers to write for Ondessonk’ s newsletters.
Derek, who had increasing responsibilities at Rawhide Ranch as manager and operating partner, was likewise ready for a change.
“ We lived at the ranch, so I was always on call,” he said.“ I realized I had to do something different when I was on the couch trying to take a nap and I heard the phone ring in another room. I felt my heart rhythm change, and I knew it was not healthy.”
One of his side jobs while at the ranch was plowing snow from parking lots, and one of his clients was Hard Truth Distilling Co. When he put out the word that he was looking for other work, the offer came from Quaff ON!, a sister company to Hard Truth. He started out as general manager of the brewery before being promoted to director of production of both companies. He said he makes sure everything is dealt with responsibly, from ordering original resources to distilling, personnel, all the way through to distribution.
While working at Rawhide Ranch, Derek became active in the convention and visitors bureau, the small lodging association, and the chamber of commerce. He eventually became treasurer of the CVB and president of the chamber. He said his goal was partly self-serving, making sure his type of business, as well as his business itself, was represented. Also, he wanted to do his part in making the organizations successful. He is still a member of the convention and visitors commission, the appointed committee that allocates innkeeper’ s tax dollars.
Though Sara is no longer in community journalism, both are vocal about the importance of local newspapers as many are experiencing circulation losses.
Derek said journalists are paid to be watchdogs over local government and allow people to go on with their lives without that direct responsibility.
“ I truly fear for the future of our communities,” he said.“ The general public doesn’ t tend to understand what they have in a weekly newspaper.” •