Reflecting on time passed

Thank you to our readers, advertisers, employees and everyone who makes the Waseca County Pioneer possible. As we celebrate our third anniversary and begin our fourth year, I want to reflect, personally, on the time that’s passed. 

 

The first three years of the Pioneer have been a battle. 

 

Over the first year and a half or so of the newspaper, I took only three personal days.

One was for my grandfather’s celebration of life.

 

I took another after the death of my best friend.

 

And one, entire day, for sleep due to utter exhaustion. 

 

I remember that day of sleep. I woke up, relieved myself, and went back to sleep. Woke up, ate something, went back to sleep. Woke up, relieved myself and went back to sleep.

 

And Friday became Sunday.

 

Just like that, 2022 became 2025 and soon, 2026.

 

The road thus far has not gone entirely as I planned, but we’re here and we’re stronger than we were three years ago. 

 

Our newspaper team includes a star studded group.

 

Deb, our editor, I consider to be a second mother and one of the best editors in the state. 

 

My dad, Jim, our sports editor, I consider to be the best in the state and one of my best friends and mentors. 

 

Jon Lucca is the best graphic designer in Waseca County, incredibly reliable and most important to me, he’s my friend. 

 

Ben Revermann, our lead reporter, is a workhorse. A soldier through and through. I ask a great deal of him, and he responds willingly, promptly, and to the best of his ability. 

 

Amelia Roessler, our newest [I hope it’s safe to say] editor. She’s been the best assistant I could have dreamed of or prayed for. Smart, talented, charming and incredibly driven, she will succeed at whatever she does with her life. I hope the Pioneer remains in her plans and we help fulfill some of her dreams. 

 

Many other people help make the newspaper possible every week.

 

Teresa, who sells our ads and staffs the office, thank you for making thousands of phone calls and keeping the door open. (Teresa has a young child at home who sometimes keeps her away from the office. If you’re ever wondering why the office is closed randomly from time to time, she is home with a sick child.) 

 

Dave Zika, our home-town columnist, is one of the best. Truly, I enjoy conversation with him more than I can express in words. He warms my heart and tingles my soul. 

 

The local pastors, thank you for your weekly columns. That was something I wanted for a long time and was not possible until a driven local leader (not me) made it happen. 

 

Rachael Jaeger and Michael Roy. I’m sorry your full time positions with the newspaper came to an end. I appreciate the contributions you both made and continue to make to small town journalism. 

 

To my newspaper route driver, House of Print and the local USPS, thank you for printing and delivering the newspaper, rain or snow or ice, week in and week out. 

 

To everyone else who has contributed to the paper in any way, you are too numerous to list, thank you. 

 

And finally, to you, our readers and advertisers. Thank you for staying with us. Here’s to many stories, issues and years to come.