Before the ink hits paper each week, there’s a rhythm that builds inside The Manning Times office. It starts with quiet concentration – the hum of computers, the shuffle of pages – and ends in the comfortable chaos of a newsroom racing toward a deadline.
This week, as National Newspaper Week shines a light on community journalism, we wanted to turn that light inward and introduce the people behind your hometown paper, sharing a glimpse of what it takes to bring Clarendon County its stories every Friday.
It’s more than meetings and headlines. It’s early mornings, late nights, and plenty of laughter in between.
At the center of it all are Publisher Leigh Ann Maynard and Managing Editor Melissa Foust-McCoy, who have spent the last two years building a partnership that’s as strong as it is spirited. Maynard, who’s been with the paper for 15 years, leads with confidence and a relentless work ethic. McCoy, who returned in 2022, brings her whole heart to the job – a storyteller who feels deeply and cares fiercely about the people she writes about. Together, they’ve built a partnership that blends strength and sincerity, laughter and tears, and a shared love for Clarendon County.
“Leigh Ann has this quick wit that keeps us all laughing, even on deadline days,” McCoy said. “Her one-liners never miss, and my laugh … well, let’s just say the office knows when I find something funny.”
Their days rarely look the same. Mondays bring layout and design, when stories and photos start finding their homes on the page. Tuesdays are for last-minute edits and sending the final version to the printer, the moment when weeks of work transform into newsprint. By Wednesday, they’re already planning the next issue, flipping through calendars, and jotting story ideas while juggling civic commitments like the Rotary Club of Manning, where Maynard serves as president and McCoy as sergeant-at-arms.
“The paper never really stops,” Maynard said. “As soon as one goes to print, the next one is already on deck.”
Every edition is a team effort. Office Manager and Reporter Alex Feagin keeps the newsroom organized, handling everything from subscriptions and calls to community announcements, all while pitching in on stories and photos when needed. “There’s always something happening,” Feagin said. “But that’s what makes it fun. Every day is different.”
Graphic Designer Stephanie Schumer-Vandven, who works remotely from Missouri, adds her creative touch from hundreds of miles away. She’s the newest member of the team, but her designs already bring a polished flair to each edition. Kat Hutchinson, a former in-house designer now pursuing her education, still lends her talent through freelance projects. “Kat will always be part of our family,” McCoy said. “We miss her in the office, but we’re proud of her.”
The newest face in the office is Marketing Executive Briar Alsbrooks, a Manning High School graduate who brings enthusiasm and fresh perspective to the advertising department. “I grew up reading The Manning Times,” Alsbrooks said. “Now I get to help local businesses share their stories. It feels full circle.”
The Times’ connection to Manning’s youth continues through Sports Reporter Joey Busby, another Manning High alumnus now attending the University of South Carolina. Though working part-time while pursuing his degree, Joey’s developing his writing and reporting skills under McCoy’s mentorship.
“Sports are a huge part of this community,” McCoy said. “Joey understands that because he’s from here. He sees the pride in it.”
Outside the office, the work continues. Most weekends, readers can spot McCoy with her camera in hand, capturing life around Clarendon – a parade, a festival, a Friday night game. Maynard and McCoy both admit that Sundays sometimes find them back at their desks, preparing for the week ahead.
“It’s not just a job,” Maynard said. “It’s part of who we are. This county means something to all of us.”
That connection runs deeper than the printed page. The team often supports each other beyond office hours. Whether it’s Feagin helping with school pickups or Maynard hosting dinner for McCoy’s kids when a meeting runs late, they’ve created their own village. “It’s a newsroom, but it’s also a family,” McCoy said.
Fifteen years after joining The Manning Times, Maynard still feels that same sense of purpose every time the presses roll. “There’s pride in holding something real and in knowing that what we print helps people feel connected,” she said. “It’s their lives, their milestones, their neighbors.”
And for McCoy, that’s what makes every long week worth it.
“It’s more than ink and paper,” she said. “It’s people. Our readers, our stories, our hometown. That’s the heart of what we do.”
