Scudder Smith at the light
table in The Bee's production department. --Bee Photo,
Clark
Throughout life, our paths cross with those of people that have
touched our lives and our community. Many times, we meet these
people, but most of the time we merely have the chance to enjoy
what they have to offer us. Editor/Publisher of The Newtown
Bee R. Scudder Smith is one such person that devotes his time
and efforts in helping to build the community through the
production of the weekly newspaper, as well as beautifying the
town with "The Pleasance" garden at 1 Main Street. Never boasting
for recognition, his efforts do not go unnoticed.
Scudder celebrated 40 years of employment at The Newtown Bee on
July 12, 2001. During his 40 year tenure, he has overseen the
production of the newspaper starting from the beginning years of
his employment working in the composing room. Scudder has learned
and experienced all facets of the job, from selling advertising,
to mastering layout of the newspaper pages, to operating the
presses, to eventually following his father, Paul S. Smith, as
editor of the paper. Scudder assumed the title of editor in 1973
after his father suffered a stroke. Paul Smith continued to be a
presence as consulting editor, overseeing his son's work at the
paper until his death in 1990.
The third generation of Smiths to publish the newspaper, Scudder
has made his life Newtown and The Newtown Bee. He leads his staff
weekly in providing thorough coverage of local politics, sports,
community news and events, providing an interesting and
informative newspaper to the public.
Scudder Smith, an avid gardener, takes a break for a few words
with his faithful assistant, Bow. --Bee Photo, Baggett
Scudder's contributions both to journalism and to his community
have gone far above what we have come to expect in the worthy
tradition of dedication, responsibility, and civic commitment
among small town newspaper publishers and editors. In 1963, when
he was still working for his father at the paper, he proposed
coverage of an area of particular interest to people living in
the Connecticut countryside and New England in general. He began
providing copy on collecting antiques. Soon significant
advertising revenues from the area's many antiques dealers and
auctioneers fueled a continuous expansion of this area of The
Bee's coverage. By 1969, antiques reporting and advertising
were filling a weekly tabloid supplement in the paper. By 1976,
this section of the paper was spun off as a new publication,
Antiques and The Arts Weekly, which today is known
internationally as the "bible" of the antiques industry,
circulating to 25,000 subscribers.
Scudder has dedicated himself to the community since the
beginning of his childhood days growing up on Main Street. In
1998, The Newtown Bee, under Scudder's supervision, developed a
parcel of land in the center of town, which entailed the razing
of an eyesore of a building, Lovell's Garage, and the creation of
a beautiful park. The three-tiered fountain and gazebo provide a
pleasant place for people to relax. The extensive gardens and
plantings there were, in large part, executed by Scudder himself,
wielding a shovel, kneeling in the dirt, creating an
extraordinary space in appreciation of his hometown. Many a
pedestrian there has come upon him, working in the gardens, and
has been engaged in conversation by someone they thought to be a
hired gardener. They often find out later that they had shared a
pleasant moment in the sun with one of Newtown's leading citizens
and benefactors, and the editor and publisher of their favorite
newspaper.
During the month of February 2001, Scudder was recognized by the
New England Press Association (NEPA) for his contributions to the
community and for the success and continued growth of the weekly
papers, The Newtown Bee and Antiques and The Arts
Weekly. He was one of 20 people inducted into the New England
Press Association's Hall of Fame. He proudly joins his father, a
member of the inaugural Hall of Fame class in the year 2000.
Scudder surely doesn't think of himself as famous and continually
tries to remain behind the scenes when it comes to accepting the
accolades from his accomplishments at the newspaper and
community. Induction into the NEPA Hall of Fame does not make
Scudder Smith famous, but to many in Newtown he represents what
our town used to be and what we continually strive towards.
Scudder is a hero in his hometown not because he has ever sought
recognition, but because he believes excellence is its own
reward. To some he may be Scudder, Dad, Grampy, or just another
citizen of Newtown, but because of what he has done and continues
to do for our community, he is our hero.