Closing a special chapter of my life
To those who’ve taken the time to wish me well, thank you all for your kind words and support. It means the world to me. Today will be a difficult one as I close the door on a very memorable chapter of my life as a newspaper reporter.
For 12 years I’ve covered business openings and closings, seen government changes from local to state and the impact — both good and bad — felt by citizens in my coverage area. I reported on municipal news that both positively and negatively affected taxpayers.
I’ve covered competitions and seen the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. I’ve dealt with tragedies, from property destroyed by fire, to automobile accidents that claimed lives. I’ve told countless peoples’ stories through Senior Salute/County Face articles — even when they felt they didn’t have a story to tell, I saw the wonder in their lives.
I’ve celebrated with numerous organizations as they recognized members’ dedication and success, including AMHC’s Andy Santerre Sno-Run that raised nearly $500,000 to aid victims of sexual assault in Aroostook County. I’ve helped promote recreational activities, from snowmobiling and ATVing, to hunting and fishing. I worked with law enforcement, from forest rangers and game wardens, to state, county and local police, advising the public of safety concerns, changes in laws, new equipment acquisitions and more.
But some of the most rewarding writing I’ve done involves the numerous stories I told of people and animals in need of help and support — the fund-raising dinners, gofundme.com accounts and car washes, to Make-A-Wish and Special Olympics events like Thursday’s Law Enforcement Torch Run.
I’ve laughed with some and cried with others as I listened and took notes, hoping I could do their stories justice in print.
This was not an easy decision to make, but after more than a decade, my husband, Jim, and I decided it’s time to turn the page and start a new chapter in life. I don’t know what I’ll be doing, as I haven’t found another job just yet, but I’m sure I’ll find something soon and may see many of you in my next adventure, whatever it may be.
Though I’ve enjoyed telling your stories, it’s now time to focus on my own story and create more family memories. I hope to stay in touch with many of you and will continue to keep up with all my Facebook friends. My interest in you goes beyond my life as a reporter. I truly do care about others — that will never change. Perhaps now I’ll have more time to volunteer and participate in organizations that I once only had time to write about.
So as I end my last day as a staff writer with The Star-Herald, I just want to say thank you to all who’ve offered encouraging words and been my inspiration for the past 12 years. I also want to thank my co-workers at The Star-Herald, Pioneer Times, Aroostook Republican and Northeast Publishing for their advice, encouragement and their friendship all these years. I couldn’t have done this without you.
Editor’s note: The staff of The Star-Herald, its sister publications and the printing plant have enjoyed working with Kathy McCarty and wish her all the best in the future. She will be missed by many.
