Have you seen those commercials for a certain company that claims to always have &#8220it,” no matter what &#8220it” happens to be?

Sometimes, getting it just isn't as simple as a few clicks of the computer mouse.

Ask the newspaper staff.

Every year, we brainstorm, scribble notes, tape interviews, research on the Net, take photos, write stories, proof stories and lay out pages preparing for it. We sell ads, build ads, proof ads, re-work ads and hustle to make it happen.

I'm sure there's some steps I've left out, but my mind is in a haze just now. &#8220It” does that to you.

&#8220It” is a monumental task known as Progress, or &#8220Horizons,” our single biggest publication of the year. Today is the day the results of all our hard work, headaches, increased stress levels and long hours are unveiled to our readership.

If you have driven by our offices on any recent Sunday afternoon, you might have noticed quite a few vehicles parked near our building.

Kevin P. and I are often here on Sundays laying out the next week's Lifestyles. Lately, most of the other Greenville Newspapers employees have joined us.

The more, the merrier, I always say.

I'm writing this column on Friday night as I wait on Saturday proof pages to look over. Today, we breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Like children eagerly awaiting Santa's visit, we will all be looking forward to the arrival of this edition.

We'll also be dreading it slightly – after all, if a mistake is made, it is there for the entire world to see.

We hope you will find much more to be positive than negative about as you scan these pages; that you will be informed, educated, entertained and enlightened by what we have to share with you.

After all, &#8220it” is a pretty big deal to us.

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Congratulations go out to all those selected as school and county teachers of the year. You can be sure these folks will be spotlighted in future editions of our newspaper.

Congratulations also to winner Chelsea Wilkerson, along with the runners-up and honorable mentions at last week's &#8220Showcase of Talent” at Greenville High.

Considering this is the first year the school has tackled a student-parent-alumni talent show, I thought there was a very good turnout and a very appreciative audience. Kudos to the GHS Parental Involvement Committee for their willingness to try some new things to get families involved in their children's school life.

And a little bird tells me W.O. Parmer and Greenville Elementary Schools are planning to jointly hold a May Day celebration (do you remember those? I do!) as a fundraiser to get some much-needed air-conditioning in the old gym the two schools share.

Spring will only get busier…see you around and about!

Angie Long is Lifestyles reporter for The Greenville Advocate. She can be reached at 382-3111 ext. 132 or via email at angie.long@greenvilleadvocate.com.