It’s time.

Without going into the hows and whys, I tendered my resignation to The Courier-Herald Feb. 1 and my last day is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 20.

It was not a decision made lightly. I love sharing your stories and keeping the folks in town up on what’s happening. I firmly believe community is the key to community journalism and community newspapers. It’s about people. It’s about caring. It’s about heart and soul.

Editor Kevin Hanson says I care. Perhaps that is why it is more stressful at times to do the job. It also makes it harder to leave this job behind.

I started right after college graduation in 1987.

I’ve done some fun things. I trained with members of the British Army and played war games at Fort Lewis. I’ve seen the view from the SunTop Lookout. I’ve whitewater rafted the Green River and woke up in the middle of the night to witness a home birth. I went mushroom picking with folks in the area and I’ve been face to face with an ostrich when that was the fad on the Plateau. I saddled up a horse and jumped into a covered wagon to mosey down the John Wayne Trail. I rode shotgun at about 80 miles an hour in a modified street car over logging roads as part of a road rally.

It’s not been all fun and games. My first stories fresh out of college here were a death investigation and a lost hunter.

I’ve been right there for plenty of sporting events and enjoyed covering the Sumner High football, tennis, and golf teams and spending time with the Lady Spartans swim team as they come oh-so-close to that state title each year. And who can forget my “I’m Game” series, where at middle-age and out of shape I went out and joined many of you on the sporting field.

Also very dear to me are those of you who opened your hearts and homes. So very many of you have shared with me your deepest, most personal experiences so others could benefit or find solace. Bless you. You are true heroes.

More importantly, through all those years, I have seen how communities can rally and come together time and time again.

I’m not going away.

I’m a homeowner and taxpayer here. I’ll still be active at church. I can definitely be found matside and poolside at my kids’ wrestling, swim and water polo matches, meets and games. The difference is this time I can cheer and cheer loudly.

I don’t have plans, but thank you Diane Franchini for suggesting I join the Garden Club and Chief Alan Predmore for inviting me to volunteer at Buckley’s new fire station.

I’m exploring options. I’m open to suggestions and, thank you, to the many folks in town who want to “talk” over lunch or coffee. I look forward to those discussions and the doors they may open.

Thank you, to all I have worked with in the office and on the streets. What a fabulous group of people. My greatest respect to all. You have made my job the past couple of decades easy and enjoyable.

To you, the loyal Courier-Herald readers, who support your hometown newspaper, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Words cannot express my gratitude. You put the community in community newspaper. It’s always been all about you.