A year in review: reporter says farewell
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When I moved to Ronan in August of 2009, I didn’t know what to expect.
For reasons I won’t delve into, I was terrified of driving and grocery stores made me cry. At city council meetings, I would slip into Russian when taking notes and only notice it a short while later. I was petrified of city officials and police officers reminded me of the KGB. And I couldn’t understand why the streets of Ronan always seemed bereft of playing children.
After a few years working as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Central Asia, I felt like a fish on a bicycle working as a reporter in Ronan.
But here I was, trying to swim along with spokes and handlebars. My expectations of myself and my reaction to the world around me was a fuzzy mess, and the reverse culture shock was worse than I could have imagined.
But what I couldn’t fathom then and still can’t fathom now is that I was accepted into the community as is. Not in mint condition, but oddball, quirky me.
And as I felt more and more at ease within this newfound comfort zone, I discovered layers of the community that I never imagined existed.
True, every city has its skeletons and problems, but the good far outweigh the bad. There are gems in this community that breathe life and fiery energy.
And the talent that seemingly appears out of nowhere — well it’s enough to take any critic’s breath away.
I’ve worked beside you for more than a year now, telling your stories and sharing in your trials and tribulations.
And I can honestly say, the favorite part of my week is going out and speaking with members of the communities, because every single community member is striving for what they perceived as the best for the city.
So, in turn, Ronan has an amazing library, a gorgeous 15-acre park, a budding community theater group, festivals in the fall and summer, and schools that strive for success daily.
Most importantly, Ronan has community members who work, volunteer and donate their time in support of organizations crucial to a thriving community and a peaceful democracy.
So, it’s with great reluctance that I write the following words, I’ll be leaving the Valley Journal and Ronan. My final day will be Friday, Nov. 19.
I know life in the big city won’t be the same. I won’t have the same interactions. The mayor probably won’t change my oil. And I won’t be able to joke around with the fire chief, nor will I play the oldest daughter of a Jewish man in Fiddler on the Roof.
But I will remember the friends and colleagues who have touched my life in so many ways. Most of all I will remember the pride I felt of being a brief member of such a strong community.
Thank you for sharing the community with me.쇓
