On Second Thought

We’re having cake in the office today to celebrate my 10th anniversary here as editor of the Star Herald.Ten years. Amazing! What’s more amazing is now, after 10 years, 10 years doesn’t really seem that long.Actually, a decade, by this town’s standards, is like an extended internship. I’ve lost count of how many retirement stories I’ve done on people who have worked 30 or 40 years in the same place. But, it’s my anniversary, and I’m buying the cake, so the date will be noted.When I started at the Star Herald in April 1993, Charlie Braa was still running the County Auditor’s Office — and the County Board, too, from what I could tell.Kenneth native Kyle Oldre was hired as the county personnel director and Dr. Diane Kennedy had just started at the Medical Center.The Veterans Home had just opened, and the Evergreen additions were still only part of the city’s long-range plan.Norm Miller was the school superintendent and Ed Salzer was principal of Luverne’s elementary school, which was still located on the cement pad in the middle of town.Betty Mann had just retired from 25 years of teaching kindergarten, and elementary students still attended classes in the Magnolia school.Arne Carlson was still governor and Andy Steensma was still representing us in the State Capitol.I came to this paper after writing for the U of M’s campus daily, and at the Worthington Daily Globe.I often think about the reactions of my college friends when I told them I took a job in my hometown. "A weekly?!" they said. "Nothing ever happens in those sleepy little towns."In my first few months on the job, I covered Rock County’s 100-year flood, a tornado and a drowning (15-year-old Jesse Saum in the City Park). … Pretty important stories for such a sleepy little town.More important than the news I’ve covered, I’d like to think I’ve learned a thing or two after 10 years on the job.I’ve learned, no matter how hard I try, I’ll never put out a perfect paper. Somehow, some way, a sneaky typo finds its way into every edition, and the mistake is repeated in every 3,000 copies printed. If nothing else, this is a very humbling job. I’ve also learned, as most people do in 10 years, that things are rarely as they appear. If this job has taught me anything, it’s that we’re all human, and everybody hurts. I don’t care who they are. But how they respond to their hardships is what sets apart the people of integrity from the rest.Believe me, there are some truly great people in this community — in both the public and private sector.In the name of journalism I’ve had rare opportunities to get close to people and families in this community I may have never otherwise known.I consider it a privilege, and even if I’m here 10 more years, I won’t take it for granted.Thank you, readers, for 10 wonderful, newsy years.It’s not that long, but it’s a great reason to eat cake!