We required staff after Muddy River News LLC was incorporated on March 17, 2021.
To begin, we employed two.
Brittany Boll was hired to assist us quickly expand our social media presence and provide content.
David Adam was employed as the Website’s editor. I had known David for almost 30 years, and I knew two things: he had a strong work ethic and was fair.
Brittany’s ingenuity, David’s diligence, and my efforts—along with the original funding from the Rapp and Kinscherf families, of course—were what launched MRN.
We bid David farewell this week as he departs to join the City of Quincy. He will be a great help to them.
So, I’m losing Adam, so I’m left with Brittany. Does that mean I’m left with Eve, er, Brittany? God help me, I’m joking! and a few others who have contributed to our development over the past four or more years.
Without David’s work, Muddy River News and Sports would not exist as it does now. In addition to publicly thanking him, I wanted to give a few of his coworkers a chance to say a few words (posted in the order of their hiring):
Without David Adam, Muddy River News is difficult to fathom. He has been the foundation of our team since day one; he is reliable, consistent, well-seasoned, and vital.He is a pillar of what we’ve achieved because of his extensive reporting, depth, and consistent professionalism. Above everything else, though, he made me laugh. He called me the team’s tequila; I’m a little erratic, undoubtedly feisty, but always poured with passion. His early recognition of my love for this company meant the world to him. Since 1996, when my father used to hand me the Sunday papers, I have admired David and read his stories. It’s difficult to imagine not hearing any more tales. My fingers are crossed for a book.
Although the City of Quincy is fortunate to have David, we are mourning his departure. His sarcasm was always well-timed, his anecdotes were more in-depth, and his standards were higher—especially when he was making fun of my ignorance of sports (yes, sports!). I will miss our daily conversations, his considerate edits, and his steadfast guidance. You don’t get to work with someone who is a true original and a mentor very often. We are sad to see Quincy go, but we will always be rooting for him.
Boll, Brittany
Although I had known David for a long time, I was unaware of his potential until I got the opportunity to collaborate with him. Managing a newsroom and determining what is and is not news are important tasks in addition to writing. His writing was never tainted by personal prejudice. With David, it was all about the facts. Additionally, he was an excellent instructor for our staff’s younger employees.
Furthermore, he is a genuinely decent man. For the right motives, he dedicates his time to young sports. I can’t wait to see what he achieves in his upcoming chapter. And I can’t wait to see him relish the gift of being a grandfather.
Kinscherf, Ron
David Adam was committed to giving the greatest possible news coverage and was well-informed about current events. There has always been and always will be. He never contented himself with giving a mediocre or insufficient summary of what transpired. He never stopped searching for the tidbits that added depth and completeness to a story.
His commitment to his trade is admirable, and he is unrivaled in his desire to put in long hours to complete the task. For over thirty years, he was surrounded by the news. It’s hard to find old-school newsmen these days, but David was one of those who enjoyed the excitement of the newsroom and the pursuit of a good story. Although it cannot be reproduced, the vintage feel should be praised.
Schuckman, Matt
Greetings, Dadam
I appreciate all that you have done for this town, for Muddy River News, and for me throughout the years. Your consistent presence and effort have been invaluable, from the innumerable meetings and court cases you have covered to the innumerable articles you have published. It has also been crucial in keeping us organized and in line around here, which is no small feat. In your multiple roles as a journalist, coordinator, and voice of reason, you have always been professional, kind, and have a fantastic sense of humor.
You will be sorely missed. Having someone like you working for the city of Quincy is a huge blessing. As the person who wears several hats, including the voice-of-reason cap, for the new group you’ll be working with, I’m confident you’ll continue to have a great impact. I sincerely hope they share our sense of coolness, but let’s be honest—that is simply not going to happen.
I sincerely appreciate what you have done and wish you well in this next step.
Your companion,
Ashley Conrad’s “How’s My Hair Hooper”
I will always be grateful to David. When I arrived in Quincy as a freshman at QU in 2017, he gave me my first job as a sports clerk at the Quincy Herald-Whig and taught me the ins and outs of the media field. I might not have made it to Quincy if it weren’t for him and his brother, Joel, who was my high school baseball coach.
David is among the world’s purest spirits. He has contributed more to the coverage of this community than could be covered in a few paragraphs. He has likely covered or encountered everyone in this city in some way (not that he’s elderly, of course!).
David, thank you. This isn t goodbye we ll forever be in touch but rather a good luck wish in your new endeavor. You’ll give it your best, just like you’ve always done. You are a blessing to Quincy.
Shane Hulsey
Muddy River News would not be a leading voice in Quincy and the surrounding areas without the leadership, dedication and integrity of David Adam. His work has informed our community, his apolitical voice of reason has helped define what Muddy River stands for and his influence has shaped me into a better journalist and human being.
In moments I ve been consumed with overwhelm from the sheer magnitude of the issues facing our community and our society, David s reminded me that eating an elephant starts with taking the first bite. In moments I ve obsessed over something I did or didn t do, or an approach I did or didn t take, he s reminded me that it s easy to be the Monday morning quarterback. And when I’ve wondered if I have the ability, the mental toughness, and the endurance to perform this work to the level our community deserves, with the bravery that this moment demands, David has reminded me that sometimes that’s enough and that the only thing I can do is my absolute best.
I m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with David over these last several months. The impact he s had on me both professionally and personally is immeasurable, and I ll carry his wisdom and guidance with me for years to come.
I remember learning about the classic journalist archetypes in media when I was in college: the Sensationalist, the Sleuth, the Corporate Hack, the Buffoon. And then there s the Hero the noble veteran with an unwavering commitment to ethics, justice and public service. The kind of person who doesn t need to complicate being good and doing good, because it s just who they are. That s David.
The local media landscape and this city as a whole are better because of David Adam, and it is because of David Adam that they will continue to grow and evolve to the benefit of all Quincyans. I wish him the best of luck in his new chapter may he always be appreciated by his colleagues, his supervisors and the people he serves to the level at which he is undoubtedly deserving of.
Aspen Gengenbacher
