By Andrew Walsh
When the New Washington Village Council meeting came to a close this past Tuesday night, it also brought to end my time writing for Crawford County Now. Being from New Washington, I thought this particular meeting would be a fitting place to write my final story. I am very excited for the new challenges I have coming up in life, but it was definitely a bittersweet moment when I heard that final, “Meeting adjourned.”
It’s a phrase I’ve heard hundreds of times in this job, an integral and automatic moment of every meeting. Since it brings to a close literally every meeting, taking it for granted can become rather easy. It becomes either a routine conclusion that you barely notice, or an impatiently awaited formality so you can get the heck out of there and get on with your night. I would be lying if said the latter thought didn’t pop up nearly as much as the former. I suppose that happens with anything in life that becomes routine, you begin to mentally fast forward the parts you’ve seen time and again, so you can get to the end and move on. Except, when you realize that something that was routine is about to cease being so, you begin to notice the little things again.
I’ve had the opportunity to report on many stories in my time at Crawford County Now. I’ve been with them since the very beginning. When I was hired the website was not even fully functional yet. It’s always exciting watching something new grow, and I feel proud to have contributed. As I have taken on more and more responsibilities in my full time job, responsibilities that are ultimately leading me away on this permanent basis, I have had less and less time to devote to CCN. In 2016, I barely had time at all to contribute to the website. In light of that, it was a real treat for me to be able to cover a final few meetings as a way of saying farewell.
This news agency has been built through the hard work and dedication of some truly wonderful people, and it’s been my privilege to work with them. Three that I want to mention by name are: Gary Ogle, the news chief and man who hired me; and my two fellow reporters, Krystal Smalley and Bob Strohm. These three have been the real driving force behind the success, and it has unequivocally been a success, of Crawford County Now. It’s been an honor working with all of them, and I know that they will continue to provide top quality news service to Crawford County.
Typically, the last action before a meeting is adjourned is to give anyone who has anything else to say a final chance to speak. New business, old business, something that wasn’t covered but should have been, a quick recognition that should have been made, extemporaneous thoughts, a speak now or forever hold your peace. Well this is it for me, I’ve said my piece, and it’s been fun. Good bye, and good luck. All in favor, say “aye.”
The Crawford County Now staff thanks Andrew for his dedication over the years and wishes him the best of luck on his new adventure.