A fond farewell to the news desk

I   had just started working at The Imperial Republican that June in 1977, and was in the front office when a local resident walked in and wanted to renew her subscription. I didn’t know her, so I asked her name for the renewal. She looked at me, a little surprised I think, saying, “Well, you should know me. I’ve lived here all my life!”
    After 46 years on the job here and retirement now in front of me, I’m happy to report that I now know most of you who walk in the front door these days.
        This is my last week here at The Imperial Republican, and there is so much to look back on—so many meaningful events both concerning my job as managing editor and life in a small town. I’ve lived here more than twice as long as my early years growing up in Omaha, so this is definitely home now.
    I will miss the daily interactions with all of you I’ve come to know in Imperial, Champion, Lamar, Enders and Wauneta, and many more in our surrounding communities. A job like the one I’ve been blessed to have gives you the opportunity to meet a lot of great people along the way.
    That’s why I got into journalism, I think—not just to be in the midst of what’s happening and reporting the news, but the constant interaction with people. And, I’m not sure I would have ever had a better community in which to work than here and that’s because of the people in Imperial and Chase County.
    It’s been a great job. I’ve been able to share the news about so many good things that have happened here, and in today’s world with so much negativity, I have been able to cover a lot of good stuff! A friend who I met not long after moving here stopped in just this week while she was in town from North Carolina. It was so great visiting with her and you know what she said as she left with a newspaper in her hand? She said she continues to renew her Imperial Republican subscription because it’s so nice to read “happy” news today. News about you!
    As I reflected on her comment, I thought about all the high school graduations, the fun community events, holiday celebrations, the sports, the Chase County Fair and so much more that I’ve had the privilege to report on and photograph for this newspaper. I have told many of my out-of-town family and friends what a great community this is and how lucky Nick and I feel to have raised three children here—our kids even made the newspaper once in awhile!
    Not all the news I’ve covered for more than four decades has been the “happy” stuff, however. There have been tragic fires and accidents, plane crashes, murder/manslaughter cases, controversy between city and county government and terrible storm damage over the years. Chase County always seems to come back, though, and move forward.
    The newspaper business has seen a lot of changes since I started here in 1977, when I wrote my first stories on a typewriter. Those changes will continue as technology grows. I only hope all of you continue to support community journalism—as I’ve said in previous columns: Who else is going to cover Imperial and Chase County?
    Changes are coming in my life now, too. While I’m leaving this career, I won’t be sitting home. I’ll continue my volunteer work and have also acquired my substitute teaching certificate.
    But at the top of my to-do list during retirement will be more regular visits with friends and family—especially our five little grandchildren, all under the age of 7 right now.
    I’m going to be on the road seeing those grandchildren and our children and spouses as often as I can because you know what? Life is just too short not to.