Reporter's Notebook: Farewell Martial Haprov, I'll miss your beard
VICTORVILLE — The news of Martial Haprov’s departure from the Daily Press was bittersweet for me as it brought to mind how I was reunited with my friend after some 20 years.
Martial’s last day with the Daily Press was Friday, and his colleagues celebrated his many accomplishments with tacos, meatballs, chips, salsa, cookies, cupcakes and a barely-touched veggie platter the day before.
Before Martial left, I peeked into his box of office mementos that included his 2011 Publisher’s Award, a San Diego Chargers cup and World Wrestling Federation lunch box. Those items sparked many memories of a guy who helped keep the Daily Press engine running smoothly and the one who got me back in touch with the journalism side of the Force.
Nearly six years ago, on a hot summer night in September, I bumped into Martial on Facebook after last seeing him in the mid-'90s when we both attended Faith Baptist Church in Victorville.
Knowing that Martial worked at the Daily Press, I asked him why a weekly copy of the Apple Valley Review, something I once called a “regurgitated copy of the Daily Press,” was being delivered to my home.
Martial asked me if I’d be interested in writing for the Review after it became a full-fledged paper dedicated to Apple Valley news. At that moment, my mind was flooded with flashbacks of writing for my high school newspaper, winning a state journalism award and penning a mountain of college papers.
Two months later, the Apple Valley Review was launched with the announcement that Martial would be at the helm as news coordinator and that I would be the Review’s lead writer.
As a freelancer working from home, I relied on Martial to show me how help to navigate the jungle of deadlines and to translate the confusing language of “editorese.” I quickly discovered that to Martial, working at the Daily Press wasn’t merely a job but a passion that lives and grows beyond the traditional boundaries of the 9-to-5 workday.
That was made evident one Sunday morning when I coordinated with Martial by phone to write a story about a SWAT team standoff. An armed individual had barricaded himself in a home across the street from my home. I still remember Martial telling me, “Be safe, write a good story and don’t get shot.”
After being hired by the Daily Press two years later, I quickly discovered that Martial was the epitome of multi-tasking as he simultaneously worked on several weekly publications while editing and producing content for the Daily Press.
It seemed like Martial had Superman-like hearing. He would listen to multiple conversations and the police scanner, all while formulating an action plan for reporters. I also learned that he loves the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, he plays in his own band and he despises being called “Marty.”
Having grown up in the Victor Valley and working for the Daily Press for nearly 10 years, Martial was very familiar with the many aspects of the area. His archive-like mind stored facts, figures, names and stories of days gone by — a valuable asset to reporters and editors.
The Victor Elementary School District is lucky to be getting Martial as an employee and I am indeed happy for him and his family. Maybe he can write school cafeteria food reviews for the district.
When Martial cleared his desk and walked out of the building for the last time, we not only lost a fellow employee with an amazing beard, but we also lost a good friend who took with him part of the heart and soul of the Daily Press.
Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227, RDeLa Cruz@VVDailyPress.com or on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.