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It?s definitely been a learning experience |
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Friday, 29 September 2006 |
By Sandy Hansen,
TR Editor
Well, it's time to say goodbye.
I find it hard to believe it's only been a little more than three years since I began a new career as a reporter, which led to being editor for the Valley City Times-Record. My qualifications were a background in graphic arts and the thought that I had always wanted to try my hand at writing. Landing the job at the T-R forced me to follow up on that thought and guess what I found out. Writing - particularly newspaper reporting ? is hard. But it certainly had its rewards.
There were things I had to learn - to actually study - before I could even attempt to create an article that made any sense. Things like special assessments, property valuations, FEMA policies, Renaissance Zone applications, trihalomethanes, and aquatic nuisance species. Things I probably wouldn't have had any reason to study, but which have led me to a better understanding of how different people and different ideas mesh together to create a working, growing community.
I've had the opportunity to get inside stories and see how things work - like how a city auditor figures out a mill levy, the steps required to measure antlers for Boone & Crockett records, and most recently, how a water treatment plant works. I've learned how to decipher wrestling score sheets and police reports. And I've had face-to-face meetings with each of our representatives in Washington, D.C., and many of our state officials, including the governor.
But what really impressed me was the countless volunteers willing to put in vast amounts of time and talent towards goals to help the entire community. It always amazed me to find how many dedicated people were behind such successful ventures as the Sodbuster events, the creation of the Sheyenne Valley Scenic Byway and the North Country Trail, the Barnes County Relay for Life, United Way ... there's so many more, and all of them done strictly by volunteer efforts with no thought of monetary gain, just a passion to help others and to preserve our heritage.
The best reward though, for me anyways, was the connection I made with community. No bones about it, I am an introvert - always have been, always will be. My husband, Scott, has always been the one to create connections in the other communities we've lived in. But even he has been surprised how many people I know and call friends and acquaintances. He jokes that I know more people here than he does, and he grew up in Valley City.
The fact is, you're all such great people to know. The writing part was hard, but for the most part, I've enjoyed getting to know my community. When I met my husband more than 30 years ago and visited Valley City for the first time, I felt it was a special place and I was happy when we returned to the area. I may be leaving the job, but I plan to stay in Valley City a long time.
Thank you for your support and encouragement. It's been greatly appreciated, especially during the tougher issues and events I've had to cover. I hope you'll continue to support the staff I leave behind, whom I consider to be not only great writers but some of the best people I've ever worked with - Jean, Carla and Mike. They made a hard job enjoyable. Brenda's new but looks promising - give her extra support and encouragement.
And so I conclude my career at the T-R with this little essay. But I'll be around ... life in Valley City is just too interesting to not pay attention and see what happens next. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 04 December 2006 )
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