25 years. More than 1 million words written by me. At least 52 million words edited by me. At least 25,000 photos, and cutlines. More than 1,300 weekly issues, adding up to 26,000+ pages put together by me. No wonder I feel tired!
67 Minnesota Newspaper Association awards won during those 25 years, including a prestigious General Excellence, 10 Advertising Excellence, and 8 Website awards for the newspaper overall, plus many photography, infographics, and writing awards (even two for sports stories) – a nice, well-rounded collection of awards across 30 different categories. This is not a personal boast, but rather a confirmation that we have all worked hard to produce an interesting and quality newspaper over the years – and that we are recognized for that hard work by our peers in other states.
It’s been an honor to have been the Tri-County News editor for more than 25 years, and publisher for just over 24 years. Second only to Phyllis Greely Hoeft in longevity. Actually, Phyllis and I have been publishers for most of the Tri-County News’ existence: together for 71 of our 77 years. Hers were big shoes to fill, let me tell you. There were two men who started the TCN and ran it briefly in 1948, and two other men owned it between 1995-1999, before I entered the picture.
Thinking back on those 25 years brings up many memories, and emotions. I had so much to learn back then! And, as they say, “I’ve come a long way, baby.”
New publisher
As of Jan. 1, 2025, Ed Pawlenty is the new publisher of the Tri-County News. Ed maybe familiar to some of you: he has been picking up our papers (and two of his newspapers) and delivering them each week to post offices and to stores each week for a couple of years. He has more than 50 years of experience in newspapers, most of it with a big corporate newspaper. But he escaped that and now owns four small-town newspapers: the Maple Lake Messenger, Battle Lake Review, Annandale Advocate, and now Tri-County News in Kimball.
New managing editor
Knowing the transition was coming, Pawlenty hired Ryan Bergeron away from two newspapers up north. He officially started at the Annandale Advocate Nov. 21.
“Ryan hails from the far northwest part of Minnesota. I really think he wanted to move down here for the warmer climate,” Pawlenty said. “He comes well qualified for our editor position, and we are confident he will continue our tradition of providing great area news to our readers.”
Bergeron worked at The Greenbush Tribune and the North Star News in Karlstad full-time for nine and a half years, since graduating from the University of North Dakota with honors in May 2015. He helped lay out pages, wrote feature stories, and covered government meetings and school sports and events for the two communities where he worked. His work there earned him 18 MNA awards.
Ryan is a sports guy at heart: a high school wrestler, and huge fan of the Minnesota Twins. He was a high school and college thespian as well.
Between Ed Pawlenty and Ryan Bergeron, our communities are in good hands. And the Tri-County News will continue strongly.
Not much will change, visibly
For now, most changes being made are behind the scenes. Subscriptions and bills are now handled by Pawlenty, for example. Bergeron is writing our sports stories now.
I am a little sad to leave the awesome team we’ve built up. I’m staying on for a few more weeks to help in the transition. Barb Rose – the glue that keeps our office running – had planned to retire in December, but she has agreed to stay for some time as well. Sue Hughes will continue to create her fabulous and award-winning ads. George Matua may be taking more photos, and he will write more stories as his confidence and skills continue to grow. Pawlenty has hired a new ad sales rep for Annandale and Kimball, so that will be a welcome change.
Both subscription and ad rates will stay the same as for 2024.
Reflections
I will continue to reflect on my 25-year newspaper career. I’ve done this longer than I’ve done anything else, including going to school (and that was a long time).
Every week has been new and different, and I have thrived on that variety. I have learned a lot over these years. Much of it stuff I may never need to use again. But I love to learn things, so the knowledge won’t go to waste.
Perhaps my most highly specialized newspaper skill: being able to write just about anything to fit any space, on deadline. And I have honed my editing skills even more, to the point that editing is now my superpower.
But it is the relationships that I have enjoyed most. It’s been such an honor to be invited into your families – if only briefly – to share your highest highs and lowest lows. Getting to know you, and telling your stories, has been extraordinary. And I thank you, deeply, for allowing me that privilege.
I look forward to having time soon for other creative interests: egg art, writing fiction, editing/publishing books for others, music, and road trips. I’ll also be available for lunch dates at last (hint, hint).