By Bob Deakin
The first edition of the Kent Good Turn Daily was published on January 17, 1952. Beneath the masthead was a quote from poet Henry Van Dyke: “My son, it is better to follow even the shadow of the best than to be content with the worst……”
John and Jane Greene were the owners, editors, and advisors to the Boy Scouts who established the paper and gathered the stories. One of those boys loved his job, which paved the foundation for his career and life.
Walter Matson remembers John and Jane Greene growing up in Kent, and was on the founding staff of what became the Kent Good Times Dispatch and Kent Dispatch. In a letter and interview at his Danbury home with his wife, Judy, he shared his memories of the Greenes and the genesis of the local paper.
“When John proposed putting out a weekly newspaper as a scout project, we were excited,” Mr. Matson recalls. “We had no idea how to publish a newspaper, but we were excited and anxious to give it a try. I don’t know who came up with the name Good Turn Daily, a phrase from the scout law, but we all agreed that it was appropriate.”
Dirty Hands for a Grand Adventure
The early issues were printed and assembled in the basement of the Community House.
“We typed up stencils, stuck them on an old hand-cranked machine, inked up the stencils and started cranking. There was much trial and error, ink-covered hands, and smudged copies, but a grand adventure.”
With time, the kids made it work, and Kent had a weekly newspaper. Over time, the Greenes became friends and mentors to the young Wally Matson.
“John and Jane were the first adults I had meaningful conversations with. They would answer my questions about their growing up—John in the Boston area and Jane from Texas. They worked at the Associated Press in New York City. John kept me enthralled by all the stories he covered and the people and places he saw.”
A Kent Kid in the Big City
When high school graduation loomed, Mr. Greene offered Wally a job as a copyboy at the AP in New York. He was as concerned with working in the city as he was with a job at a big company. He took the train to the AP offices in Manhattan, where Mr. Greene still worked, and was hired.
“Talk about culture shock! Leaving the little town of Kent to the middle of Manhattan is mind-blowing.”
The job was a success but before long, the military called.
“I was 1-A and like all eligible men, I had a mandatory service commitment. I talked with my boss and he said by law they had to offer me my job back after my service commitment. Off I went for three and a half years in the Air Force.”
He remained in touch with the Greens and visited their home while on leave.
“They were always happy to see me and hear about my service. After my discharge, I went back to the AP job in New York. I worked at the foreign desk. It was a challenging job and I enjoyed the hustle and bustle of being at the main office.”
Longing For Life Back Home
Eventually, he realized he didn’t want to marry and raise a family in New York. At the same time, his father moved out of Kent, so the family homestead—three houses north of the First Congregational Church—was no longer an option.
He stayed with his sister in Danbury and took a job with a printing company. Life took a turn for the better one night at the bowling alley when he met Judy, who would become Mrs. Matson and the mother of their three children. The Greenes were at the wedding and remained a part of the Matson’s lives.
“They were overjoyed when our three sons were born. John was so proud when we asked him to be the godfather to our second son, Thomas.”
Life Moves On
Through the years, the Matsons and Greenes got together. “John and I played many rounds of golf together. He was always a fierce competitor.”
Mr. Matson and Judy made the occasional trip to Kent, whether to see friends and family or help publish the G.T.D.
“John would call me and ask me to come up to Kent and run the small offset press they used to get out the paper. It was like old times once again. I was pleased that they reached out and I was able to help.”
The Matsons describe John’s personality as gregarious, warm, and intelligent.
“John was a terrific guy. A gentleman,” Mrs. Matson said. “He always had something interesting to talk about.”
Long-time Kent resident Karen Chase took over as editor of the G.T.D. a couple of years after the Greenes sold it and remembers them making her transition easy.
“When I first started as the editor, Jane treated me well and wrote me a nice letter. He was very easy-going. Distraught after his wife died, of course.”
Did Kent Want a Newspaper?
“A lot depended on your politics,” the former editor explains of the Greene’s reign. “Kent at the time was a solidly Republican town. The town fathers weren’t particularly interested in having someone reporting on their activities. Others thought it was important. Of course, everyone was excited when their children’s photos appeared, especially on the front page. Everyone looked forward to reading whether they agreed with the Greene's views or not. They were quite vocal in their support of the Democratic Party.”
Guiding Hands On My Life Journey
They sold the paper in 1981 but continued to assist and write occasional editorials. As the 1980s progressed, Jane Green’s health deteriorated, crushing John’s spirits.
“He treated her so well,” Judy added. “It was sweet; he’d use terms of endearment like ‘darling’ and ‘sweetheart’ when he spoke to her. He’d always open the car door for her, and I can see how it rubbed off on Wally. It worked for him when we started dating.”
Jane died in December 1986 and Mr. Greene often paid tribute to her in his editorials. He moved to Florida in 1990 but returned not long after for health reasons and died in September 1991, survived by a daughter and two grandchildren.
“They were two people who had guiding hands on my life journey,” Mr. Matson remembers. “I did have the opportunity to thank them for their friendship and love. I told them I loved them and thanked them for the many values and life lessons they shared with me. There were tears all around. I still visit their resting place in the Congregational Church Cemetery in Kent.”
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