By Kelsey Keny

Tribune Intern

Maury Wood knows the importance of a deadline.

After working as a reporter for The Marshall County Tribune from 2000 to 2004, Wood found his way back to the newsroom this summer when he asked Tribune General Manager Jim Ward if any assistance was needed. Wood was then given a countywide project that's required him to track down all the answers.

The Marshall County Answer Book will be released Friday, Aug. 16. Wood has been in charge of the book's content, which ranges from community events to town history. He has interviewed locals, written stories, taken pictures, and done, as he calls it, "a little bit of everything" to produce the book's information.

He hasn't let anything get in the way, either -- including the lack of a babysitter.

Wood's children Brighton, 5, and Chloe, 5 months, frequently accompany their dad to the office. As Wood began the Answer Book's final production week, Chloe sat content in her highchair while Dad typed stories on the nearby keyboard. Wood said his son Brighton enjoys trips to the newspaper's office and hanging out with the workers.

Wood, who teaches Language Arts at Westhills Elementary School, said he underestimated the amount of work the Answer Book would require, but is looking forward to seeing the finished product.

"It will be good for Marshall County," Wood said. "I think a lot of people aren't aware there are things to do here. I've enjoyed doing it."

As Wood worked to meet his final deadline, Chloe gave her dad a bright smile, as if to suggest his hard work will soon pay off.

Ward said the Answer Book is a project he has wanted to do for a long time, but held off because he didn't have the staff to do what was needed. Then he was blessed with a phone call from Wood, and the Answer Book came to life.

"I am beyond pleased," Ward said. "Maury has exceeded my expectations on the research and amount of information he has gathered. The Answer Book will be out a week from Friday, and I'm sure you will find it interesting and educational."