
MUSCODA (WKOW)-- 27 News brings you the news each day. We have a team of people behind-the-scenes who help make it happen.
A couple in Muscoda, about an hour West of Madison, delivers the news with very little support. That's not the only thing that makes Wendell and Vi Smith 'Someone You Should Know.'
"It's really amazing how much goes on in a little town," said Wendell.
Wendell and Vi Smith love the community of Muscoda.
"Every week, you're creating something different," said Wendell. "It will never be the same again, and that's kind of neat."
So much so, they pour their heart into publishing the town's newspaper: The Progressive.
"It's a full-time job for two people," said Wendell.
For the past 52 years, Wendell and Vi have churned out the 12-page, weekly paper.
"It was a good way to make a living, never got rich, but we never got bored," said Wendell.
Married for 55 years, the couple work each and every day from the basement of their home.
"Papers go to Iraq, and quite a few to California," said Wendell. "In the wintertime, quite a few go to Arizona and Florida."
Wendell shared with us what he considers one of their biggest compliments.
"When you get done reading it, you practically always feel better than you did when you started," said Wendell. "If that's true, I really like that."
Wendell does most of the writing and picture-taking. Vi handles the book work and proofing.
"I married the man, so I married the newspaper," said Vi.
While some things have changed over the years, Vi and Wendell still layout The Progressive's articles by hand.
"I think I am proud partly of the fact that we've been able to work together like that, side-by-side, for 52 years and we're still together," Vi says with a laugh.
The Smiths' have proof of their hard work, in these books.
"We've got the history of Muscoda for the last 50 years," said Wendell.
But, Wendell, 77, and Vi, 76, know they can't do this forever.
"That's my big goal right now is not have it come to an end, because I think it serves a purpose," said Wendell.
The Progressive has 1,800 subscribers, who pay just $20 a year to learn what's happening in their backyard. For more information on The Progressive call 608-739-3550.
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