I dont know where this road
Is going to lead
All I know is where weve been
And what weve been through
Its So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday – Boyz II Men
Many dont realize that Its So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday was originally written in the 1970s for the film Cooley High, which was released in 1975. G.C. Cameron sang the song in the film, and his version reached No. 38 on the Billboard R&B singles chart.
Boyz II Mens version is certainly most well known, released in 1991, topping the R&B chart and reaching No. 2 in the Billboard Hot 100. The harmonies that the Motown group brought to the song in the early 1990s really launched their career from a niche vocal group to a top-40 powerhouse, where theyd remain for a number of years afterward.
The songs video was dedicated in memory to a number of artists and actors/actresses who had been lost recently when the video was produced. Potentially the most impressive cover of the Boyz II Men version of the song was done by Barrio Boyzz at the funeral for fallen Latin music superstar Selena.
The tone of the song can certainly be mournful, but it can also be hopeful for moving forward through the mourning, which is why the song continues to be sung frequently at graduations across the country more than 50 years after its initial release.
Many have lamented and perhaps even mourned the loss of printing days for the Plainsman after our recent ownership change. The reality is that it has been decades since the paper was printed seven days per week. The paper moved to six days for many years, and then five years ago, a notable advertising drop after COVID hit led to moving to five days per week. If you read the column from long-time South Dakota newspaper publisher Tim Waltner in todays paper, youll see that the Plainsman is not alone in those advertising numbers not returning since the pandemic.
While there are logistical changes to the Plainsman and how we do things now under Champion Media, the recent transition led to two very vital people in my own development as a journalist no longer with the paper.
Crystal Pugsley has been with the paper for as long as Ive been alive, a fact that she laughed and shook her head about many times over the last five years as weve worked together. Shes seen more changes than most ever experience in the news industry, and she still is working on a part-time basis for the paper moving forward (shes putting todays paper together while Im on vacation!).
I wrote my first column in 2020, and while Curt Nettinga, the editor at the time, worked with me to smooth out the edges, the biggest vote of confidence came quickly from Crystal. If I had a nickel for every time she told me how much she enjoyed a column or a story that I wrote, Id have heavy pockets.
In her 45th year at the paper, Crystal took another role in December 2024, when I was promoted to managing editor (at Crystals insistence that I consider the role if they were to offer it to me). With just three of us heading into the busiest time of year in a newsroom that covers more than a dozen school districts, basketball season, Crystal often did a lot of the setup of the paper while I focused on content. She always asked if there was anything else I needed her to do before she would leave for the evening.
In late June, Crystal came to me and discussed retirement, something she had pondered for many years. She gave me a firm date in October soon after that first conversation, but once she had a taste of retired life following the sudden closure of the paper, she asked me if I would be okay if she remained retired, telling me, I dont want to leave you in a bad spot with the paper getting going again, but I really enjoyed being around with my family.
So, thats what she has done. But 45 years shouldnt be brushed aside so unceremoniously. Rather, Id like to put together a card shower for Crystal and a public day of recognition for her years telling the stories of the Huron community on Thursday, September 18, from 1 to 3 p.m., here at the Plainsman. Cards can be sent to Crystal Pugsley, c/o Plainsman, P.O. Box 1278, Huron, SD 57350.
As I was putting together this column, I learned of the sudden passing of former Plainsman publisher Mark Davis. To be frank, there have been many times over his time at the helm of the paper that Mark was a primary reason the paper didnt shut down.
I could be sure that if I had a locally-loaded paper or a particular article or column that he really appreciated, Mark would fire me off a text message to let me know. We sat down and talked through a number of issues over the last nine months as I moved into the editors chair, and he continually encouraged the hard work and effort that was put into the paper.
Most importantly for the life of this paper, Mark moved his retirement date back multiple times, sticking around to mentor current Plainsman publisher Shaun Sarvis, and he was a significant shoulder to lean on as Shaun did heavy work to ensure a deal came together to keep the papers open.
I know he and my great-grandmother are pulling up a seat to watch the next Cubs game together. Youll be missed, Mark.
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