×

Farewell, dear readers, after 13 great years

My first byline in The Alpena News — a column — appeared in the paper on Aug. 11, 2010.

It seems fitting then that my last byline, which will appear on Oct. 6, 2023, will also be a column.

After more than 13 years, hundreds of stories, and three different job titles in the newsroom, my time at The News is coming to an end.

Next month, I’ll start a job with a digital marketing company that specializes in tourism and travel writing for several states, including Michigan. It’s a great opportunity, and I’m definitely looking forward to it. I’ll stay in Northeast Michigan, but I’ll definitely miss working at the paper.

It’s been a big part of my life for more than a decade, and I’ve enjoyed every single second.

The News is an important part of the community. It’ll continue to be an important part of the community, and it’s a place where I’ve learned so much and will be forever grateful to have worked for so long.

It hasn’t always been easy, but working at The News has been a privilege and a job that I’ve always taken very seriously. This is a town and a region with a lot of history, and it’s been great to be able to play a part in chronicling that history for future generations.

As I wrote last month when I passed my 13th anniversary at the paper, I could have never imagined living and working here when I was younger.

But I found myself here after eight months after graduating from college as a sports writer and I never left, spending hours in the newsroom, bumming around at local events, or traveling all over the state to spend time at ball fields, gyms, and football stadiums to cover local teams.

In my introductory column, I wrote this: “… I also hope to tell you stories about things that I find interesting; stories that will make you smile and grab your attention as you sit with a morning cup of coffee.”

In 13 years, I’ve gotten a chance to tell so many incredible stories that I hope resonated with you, the reader, in some way. I’ve interviewed amazing people to tell heartwarming stories, heartbreaking stories, stories of triumph, stories of hardship, stories of hard work and hustle, comeback stories, and stories of success.

I’ve gotten to work with some incredible people over the years and I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank a few of them, including Bill Speer, Steve Murch, Chris Dobrowolski, Eric Benac, Jonny Zawacki, current Publisher/Editor, Justin Hinkley, Steve Schulwitz, Owen Kinzey, Darby Hinkley, Alyssa Ochss, Julie Riddle, and many, many more.

Thank you to each and every person that I’ve ever interviewed for a story for taking the time to speak with me. Whether it was an athlete getting interviewed for the first time who may have been a little nervous, a business owner giving me a behind-the-scenes look at their operation, or a coach who may not have been in the greatest of moods after a tough loss, I appreciate each of you giving me a few minutes of your time.

Lastly, a tremendous thank you to all of you, the readers of The Alpena News. I appreciate each and every one of you reading what I’ve had to say over the years, and I hope, at least once, that something I wrote brought a smile to your face.

It’s been a pleasure.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today