I was certain Thanksgiving was yesterday

As I look back on this past week, I can’t help expressing my appreciation.

First, I appreciate the people of our Waseca County community. If good, hard-working, positive-minded people are “gems,” I spend my time surrounded by diamonds. Examples from this week are the two activity directors I encounter most–Dan Stork from NRHEG and Joe Hedevare from Waseca. They both work very hard and are determined to keep students’ experiences as positive as can be. I also think of warm, friendly conversations with Darrin Stadheim, Representative John Petersburg, Jon Butler, Kristie Biehn and others held at various events. 

When it comes to nearly every conversation, I wish it(the conversation) could be the type folks have over a beer or during a long car ride. A conversation with no end in sight, no feeling or need to be or do something else. Those conversations are what I live for. Especially on occasions when I have to rush from place to place, I feel a certain level of regret. I’d much rather just sit down, talk, and listen to what these people whom I care about have to say. 

In addition to the people I encounter, I appreciate the nature of what I do to make a living. Boredom and routine are never a problem. I get to go many, many places. I meet many, many people. I attend events that range from poignant to jolly. And I have excuses to exhibit unusual behavior, including setting up my own photography station for the sake of ensuring I get good pictures.

Even with the many tasks I have to manage and the demands it makes on my time, there can’t be any better job than running a newspaper.

Few days go by without a reader thanking me and the newspaper for doing what we do. Yes, plenty of readers express criticism and some are quicker than others to point out our mistakes. Messages of gratitude and appreciation, though, are more frequent and persistent. I appreciate that the newspaper is accomplishing the purpose I have for it: inform people about what’s going on in their communities while also sharing the stories of our surprising, heartwarming, industrious, resilient people and businesses.

During interviews, I work to focus my whole attention on the story I will be telling. I think only about the person, their story, their life, and what questions I should ask. That’s vital, since each person’s story is special and unique: I want to write a piece that represents them to the level they deserve.

Over and over again, my work has shown me people value and appreciate it when others take the time to recognize who they are and what they’ve accomplished. The beauty of my job is I get to go looking for those moments and experiences which will draw readers in and help them see their poignancy. I’ve yet to meet a person who doesn’t have a life, a story not worth sharing. I can’t write everyone’s story, but I certainly never get tired of hearing someone tell me theirs. 

Speaking of interesting stories, one of my destinations this week was the Waldorf city council meeting. Big news, and something of a turnaround from past discussions: the council voted to allow residents to keep chickens in town. I have to say, Waldorf is my favorite town to cover. Waseca is a close second. But in Waldorf, every time I see someone from the town, they bring story ideas for me to write about. They care about each other; I love that. 

I thought Thanksgiving was Thursday until my dad told me it was next week. So, I made no plans for Thursday. 

On Friday I turn 26-years young. My plan for the day includes a conversation about advertising design with Jon Butler at FM Bank, perhaps followed by an interview with John Mansfield regarding the anniversary of the Ward House. I want to leave some room for flexibility: It is my birthday after all. Oh, and I’ll try to have lunch with my mom and dinner with my dad. That’s generally my birthday plan. 

Saturday is the Bluejay Bash. Matt Petsinger invited me to join him at his table again this year and I accepted, again. (Last year was a lot of fun.) 

P.S. When I started covering NRHEG’s athletic banquets, I would stop all of the teams after the awards to take pictures. After a year of this, Dan made it part of the program. This year, the school purchased a canvas backdrop for use during this new portion of the program. Dan is incredibly helpful anytime I need anything related to NRHEG athletics and I am very appreciative. 

P.P.S. I asked Waseca AD Joe Hedevare, the other day, how he works the entire day, then attends sporting events every single night. He told me he wonders sometimes too. I don’t know if all athletic directors are as good as what we have at NRHEG and Waseca, but I consider myself, and these two communities, fortunate.