Today is my last day with the Daily Freeman-Journal, bringing to a close nearly 30 years with the company. That old saying “time flies” may seem a bit cliche, but it certainly feels apt to me right now.

This week as I’ve been wrapping up a few tasks, I’ve been sorting through old files and photos, stirring up memories of the people I’ve met through the years — the folks I’ve worked with and those I’ve interviewed. I’ve been thinking about the inspirational mentors who shared their passion for the job and who showed a young writer the importance of solid community journalism.

Max Maxon hired me just a few weeks after I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1983. Max knew everyone in the community — or so it seemed — and everyone knew him. He wrote a daily column, “Amblin,” recounting stories of his travel adventures, as well as interesting people he talked with and of course, what was happening in the community. I have vivid memories of him sitting at his desk, pencil behind one ear and the phone perched precariously on his shoulder as he tapped out an article on his old typewriter.

Max and his wife, Myra, took all of the young staff members under their wings. They hosted game nights at their home, inviting us for a home-cooked dinner and several rounds of Trivial Pursuit. He and Myra helped create a wonderful, warm sense of family and belonging.

That feeling of belonging and friendship extended to many of my co-workers through the years. At one point, we formed a volleyball team and played in the Fuller Hall volleyball league. I can’t say that we were ever the top team in the league but we had fun. The laughter made up for any lack of skills or points.

Certain memories will stick with me the rest of my life, such as the time Sports Editor Dick Fridley asked me to photograph a sectional football game at Northeast Hamilton. I ended up getting tackled as a player rushed past the sidelines. Or the time my car got stuck in a snowbank six miles from town on a cold and snowy day. Fortunately a farmer was kind enough to give me a ride back to town.

In 1988, I left the paper for a few years, taking jobs beyond the pages of the newspaper industry. I worked for an animal health supply company, helped develop a community health needs assessment, and worked in radio ad sales. After 10 years away, Lori Berglund, who was the editor then, reached out and encouraged me to return to the paper when a position opened up. It didn’t take much nudging to get me to come back.

At a small newspaper, a reporter wears many different hats that our counterparts at larger media outlets may never have an opportunity to experience. Quite often, a reporter is also the photographer, documenting everything from the first baby of the New Year to the next group of high school graduates or a high school team’s victory on the playing field. We celebrate those victories, as well as documenting the heartbreaking loss and devastation of fires, auto accidents and tornadoes.

Back in the day, processing and developing film was a big part of my job. I spent hours in the dark room, rolling film onto reels, which were then dropped into canisters filled with developing chemicals. Once the film was developed, we took the negatives to the enlarger, focused the image and printed the black and white photos on photo paper.

Today, developing photos is as easy as pulling a memory card out of the camera, plugging it into the computer and tweaking the color and size in Photoshop.

Through the years, there were constant opportunities for interesting stories and interviews. I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet so many fascinating and compelling individuals. There were a few celebrities, including singer Frankie Avalon, gymnast Cathy Rigby and actress Sally Struthers. The civic center in Des Moines, in an effort to draw more audience members from around the state, often reached out to smaller newspapers and offered interviews with some of the stars of the traveling productions. I took full advantage of those opportunities and got to chat with some rather interesting people.

Politicians frequently made a swing through Hamilton County as they stumped for office. I had a chance to interview Barack Obama after a rally at West Twin Park. Mitt Romney sat down with me following an appearance at the Webster City Country Club and Joe Biden chatted with me when he made a stop at the UAW Hall many years ago during one of his first runs for the presidency. I’ve talked with governors, senators and representatives, as well as all of the local and county officials who have dedicated themselves to service.

However, the most memorable interviews are the ones with the people in my community. The entrepreneurs who were opening a new business. Stories about the families who showed strength and resilience through a devastating health diagnosis, or the neighbors who banded together to help harvest a field of corn for an ailing farmer.The smiles and excitement of the Special Olympic Athletes each spring as they prepared for the state games never failed to touch my heart.

These are the people who make Webster City and Hamilton County such a wonderful place to live and I am so humbled and proud to have been given the opportunity to share those stories through the years.

And just like that … 30 years have flown by and it’s time to move onto my next adventure. Next week, I’ll be joining the team at Van Diest Medical Center.

I will forever be grateful to The Daily Freeman-Journal, Ogden Newspapers, my colleagues at the Fort Dodge Messenger and my co-workers at the DFJ for the countless opportunities that have come my way.

Thank you, friends.