As many of you already know, or have heard, I’ve moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. This city of about 160,000 in Northern Colorado lies between the foothills of the Rockies and the Great Plains, about an hour north of Denver. Among other things, it’s home to Colorado State University.

My sister, Caroline, moved to Fort Collins a little over two years ago. On a trip to visit her last July, I met a lovely woman named Amanda. I’ve made several trips since, and Amanda has flown down twice to visit Blanco and see Texas. She was welcomed with open arms by so many people and I am very thankful for the hospitality shown to her. During her visit, Amanda looked at the possibility of living and working in Blanco, but it wasn’t for her. She loves Fort Collins and I found myself enjoying the city and its energy when I visited.

I want to see where things will go, with both Amanda and a life in Fort Collins. I made a choice to move up to Colorado by June. I’m in another state but, thanks to the Internet, I won’t be leaving Blanco. The owners of the Blanco County News provided me with an excellent job opportunity—to continue working with the BCN, the Johnson City Record Courier, their sister papers around the Hill Country, and Texas Hill Country Magazine. I created the websites for the publications and will continue to expand our online offerings. I have also been given a chance to explore what can be created up here in Colorado.

It was difficult to leave Blanco. I lived in Cedar Park, Texas, for the first 22 years of my life, but I grew up in Blanco, Texas. Blanco is my hometown. I met many people in the three years I lived there, and have come to know quite a number. Life as editor of the Blanco County News allowed me to meet even more people—and so many have made an impression on me which I’ll never forget.

The farewell party held on the courthouse lawn last Thursday was the perfect ending to my life in Blanco. I was deeply honored when Nell Krueger presented me with “The Charlie Award” for community service; I look forward to visiting Blanco every year to present the award to others who work to improve the city and the lives of its residents. Blanco is known for its community spirit and I saw so much of it, the hard work of many people, every day.

In addition to my move, quite a number of changes have already happened at the Blanco County News. The newspaper moved to new offices in the Germania/Phillips Insurance building on 4th St. A complicated move, it was possible through the hard work of employees at the paper: Heather Wagner, Charlotte Thomas, Deb Yorgensen, and Kelly Silvernail.

With Charlotte’s youngest, Crystal, graduating from high school, she has moved on as well. Charlotte was hired at the newspaper before the previous owner, Roy McNett, sold it. She helped me get to know how Blanco worked and was a guide for me in my role as editor. She is missed, but it’s Cox Paving’s gain.

Heather Wagner has taken over as editor; she has already put together five editions. She is a spirited, capable person. I’ve enjoyed working with her for the past several months, and I look forward to continuing to work together, albeit from long distance. Heather grew up in the small town of Coupland, Texas, and moved to Blanco last year from Brady.

Do you have something to put into the newspaper? Heather is the one to talk to.

My time in Blanco and at the Blanco County News shaped my life. Blanco is a beautiful city with incredible people. I would thank all the people who helped me along the way but the list would be too long for the newspaper. I’m looking now to what I can do in Fort Collins and the new adventures which are already starting. Blanco will always be with me.