Why Have I Stayed 30 Years At SR?

Editor Gary Graham called this afternoon to graciously congratulate me on 30 years at the Spokesman-Review. I checked into the Coeur d’Alene bureau of The Spokesman-Review on Sept. 9, 1984, and never checked back out. Gary asked a question that I’ve thought about a lot. “Did you ever expect to be in one place for 30 years.” The short, two-letter answer? No. I figured when I moved from the Lewiston Tribune 30 years ago that I would stay awhile. But certainly not 30 years. This newspaper offered opportunities that my first five papers didn’t — size, a variety of jobs and a decent pay check. I began my newspaper career in Chico, Calif., working as a cub reporter in the final year of the newspaper’s hot-metal days. I never could have imagined back then that I’d be blogging, Twittering & Facebooking for a living 4 1/2 decades later. Why have I stayed? Initially, I enjoyed the return to reporting and column writing, after 5 years as a managing editor (Kalispell Daily Inter Lake) and 2 years as a News editor (Lewiston Tribune). I’ve been writing Huckleberries (originally called Kootenai Grapevine) since January 1985. I was bored with local government reporting in 1993 when former Editor Chris Peck picked me for the Editorial Board. He wanted a voice from Idaho on the board. That was fun for the first decade. However, I was ready for something new when former Editor Steve Smith gave me his blessing in 2004 to launch Huckleberries Online (which was originally called No Holds Barred and then Hot Potatoes). This has been my passion since — almost 10 1/2 years and counting. With the magic age of 65 looming in November, I’ve asked myself several times if it’s time to retire. And been told by individuals older than I am that I shouldn’t do so, if I still enjoy what I do. Which I do. I also believe that Huckleberries Online provides a service to the community that can’t be found elsewhere. I labor for pay. I labor because the community looks here for news and opinion that it can’t find elsewhere. I can’t take that away unless I’m absolutely sure that I can’t go another cyber step. When will I retire? When I feel like it. The calendar won’t dictate that decision/ DFO.