Melanie's farewell column: Relations matter most

Ninety-seven issues. That’s my number here at Valley Press – Mineral Independent. It may even be 98, but that very first issue in April of 2011 when I started here was just a few photos of an Easter egg hunt in Superior. Little did I know what lay ahead of me; little did I know how much things would change, and how the slightest, tiniest decisions can create ripple effects that touch so many others.

There I was, barely 23, far away from the comfortable home and community in which I grew up back in Texas – a whole 2,000 miles away from everything and everyone I knew and guess what: I loved it. Montana is very different from the realities of Texas, or any other place I had been before, such as Spain, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Austria… Florida. And though any new place a person visits does offer something “different” or even “special,” there is a wild, un-tamed part of Montana that both scared and fascinated me. I initially called it ‘the wild land’ when I moved here.

Pat and Diane Metzger were my first landlords there in Superior. They are still the kindest Montana couple I know, and I will always be grateful to them for all their help when I first arrived as the Mineral Independent reporter. Mike and Jackie of Jackie’s Home Cookin’ embraced me (quite literally) when I dropped in their place out of the rain. They offered a safe haven of support and great food for the younger journalist I was, and I will always think of them with happiness. They were like parents to me.

But as soon as I got comfortable in Superior, Plains called. I was moved up to the Plains office, and became the new reporter for the Clark Fork Valley Press. A few months later, I was named Editor. What ensued in the following months, leading up to now, have forever impacted me not only as a journalist, but also as a human being.

The stories I covered for the paper (and Lord knows, there were a lot of them) are not the main part of this journey, ironically, seeing as I left Texas to get my start in journalism; no, the main part has been the relationships built here in Montana. The Plains Piranhas Swim Team and all the kiddos and parents involved have been a major part of my life in Plains/Sanders County. The talent of the swimmers, as well as the commitment of the parents is something I am truly grateful to have witnessed and also help develop as the swim coach; Todd and Kathy Logan – another set of pseudo-parents whom I adore, I am happy to have met; The Lulack family, who I lovingly call my “Montana family,” I will always be grateful for; Johnny Holland, thanks for all the advice and information in regards to the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District – the relationship the paper has with you guys is better than ever. Tom Rummel, I thank you for all your cooperation and work with the paper, you taught this journalist a lot in regards to professionalism and maintaining values. Over in Hot Springs, it is a wonder of a little community. I am grateful for all I met there, including the mayor Randy Woods, the McAllister family, and all the Hot Springs school officials who were always so helpful and friendly (Nancy Winebrenner, Amy Anderson, Kevin Meredith, Chris Clairmont, Jim Lawson). Sally Braun of Plains School – you are like the all-knowing secretary that helped my colleagues and me out whenever we needed it, thank you for your dedication to the school and community. Thom Chisholm, thanks for all your help in getting information to the public regarding Plains School events, I hope your enthusiasm and commitment to the kids continues. I also want to thank Ed Moreth for all your advice and doses of friendly competition – I learned a lot from you, and knowledge is power.

I will always carry with me the lessons learned as I grew in this community, and through the paper. In a way, the papers have been a record of my time here, and how the stories affected the communities – both in Sanders and Mineral Counties - they served. My only hope is the papers will continue to do a good job of recording the time and local history, as well as documenting all the goodness these communities offer. I had only 97 (maybe 98) issues to tell such stories, and the time flew by.