Mark My Words: Local journalist Mark Bliss retires

Guests fill the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media to bid farewell to Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss during his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, center right, shares a laugh with former federal Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr. inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, during a retirement reception in Bliss's honor. After four decades of work as a local journalist, Wednesday will mark Bliss's last day at the paper. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, right, shares a laugh with Rust Communications chairman of the board Gary Rust Sr. during his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, at the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau. Bliss retires Wednesday after four decades as a local journalist. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Guests at a retirement reception for Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, second from left, listen as Jon K. Rust, publisher of the Southeast Missourian and co-president of Rust Communications, shares his memories of Bliss's decades of work in local journalism. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Guests listen as Southeast Missourian business reporter Jay Wolz delivers a speech during a retirement reception for Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss speaks at his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Rust Communications chairman of the board Gary Rust Sr. shakes hands with Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, right, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau.  (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss laughs as speeches are given at his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Remarks are given during a retirement reception for Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau.  (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss smiles as remarks are given at his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau.  (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Guests fill the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media to bid farewell to Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss during his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss talks to Dr. Loretta Prater during his retirement reception in the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Coworkers, community members and local leaders begin to fill the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media to bid farewell to Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss during his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, center left, socializes with Jim Riley inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media during a retirement reception for Bliss on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Guests socialize in the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media as a retirement reception for Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, center right, begins to wind down Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jim Limbaugh, left, talks to Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss during a retirement reception for Bliss on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, right, laughs while talking to retired Southeast Missourian photographer Fred Lynch during Bliss's retirement reception inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Teri Wilson congratulates Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss at his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

The sun begins to set as guests socialize inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media during a retirement reception Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, below center, on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, center left, shakes hands with Cape Girardeau School District superintendent Neil Glass, center right, on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jon K. Rust, publisher of the Southeast Missourian and co-president of Rust Communications, shares a laugh with journalist Mark Bliss inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, during a retirement reception for Bliss. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

From left, Jim Riley, Gary Rust Sr., Jerry Ford and former federal Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr. pose for a photo during a retirement reception for Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss poses for a photo with his cake before his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss and his wife Marcia pose for a photo before his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss poses for a photo with his daughter Becca during his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)