The message I wanted to convey to members of the Sertoma Club over a Thursday luncheon would be postponed for just a couple of minutes.

I shared with the club — many of them who still love the newspaper experience of sifting through each printed article and turning pages that I grew up with — the number of visitors and number of viewing sessions to panews.com in January 2020 both nearly doubled the counts from January 2019.

As our industry and reading habits have changed, we’ve found ways to continue to connect you to the latest local news and in-depth information.

Regardless of the security of my chosen profession, I’ll never rest on my laurels, let alone brag often.

Now, back to the message:

It may be hard to see, but our part of Jefferson County is on the rebound. From what, you ask? You fill in the blank.

This area is going to house thousands of new workers for expansion projects on the Port of Port Arthur, at Port Arthur LNG and our refineries, and people will come from all over. The lights that come on at our factories signal that we have been, are and will always be open for business.

Every time we keep our dollar local, we play a part in improving the infrastructure that has more to do with people than just utilities. Any oil and gas that’s here, we use.

Clubs like Sertoma, Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions — I’ve spoken to all four and Sertoma four times — provide opportunities for me to hand business cards to new faces. Giving a business card does more than put a name to a face; it opens the door for knowledge to be shared.

This year’s “King Gumbo” of the Taste of Gumbo, Rotarian Dr. Johnny Brown, would love it if you share a card and tickle your taste buds this Saturday at the Bob Bowers Civic Center. Maybe one day, I’ll speak to someone with some expertise on such a Gulf Coast cuisine.

Until then, I’ll exercise my brain on my Elevate app, continue to work out, eat right and practice my speech. Whoa, wait, what’s the connection to all that?

A message goes a long way with a strong delivery, and a name to a face can open up a meaningful conversation. How we walk and talk go hand-in-hand, and how we think can determine our walk.

Talking with others who think deeply has impacted my walk over the years. Never have my speaking skills — 17 years after earning a speech degree — or a business card been more important.

I.C. Murrell is the editor of The Port Arthur News. He can be reached at 409-721-2435 or at ic.murrell@panews.com.