Four and half years ago I placed a “job needed” ad in the Arkansas Press Association’s Job Bank. I paid $10 for the ad and hoped for the best. My ad was good for four weeks and by the time it expired; I would be living in a new state and married.
I continued packing up my life in Colorado and after marrying the most amazing man I’ve ever met, I moved to Conway, Ark.
Two weeks before we drove 16 hours, I got a call from Jay Edwards at The Daily Record. He had read my ad and wanted to meet me when I got settled. He said the newspaper was a legal publication and some samples were heading my way. I couldn’t believe someone had actually spotted my ad and responded! I was thrilled, especially since I had looked for a job in Denver for about 10 months. With a sparkly diamond on my left hand, I saddled up alongside my new husband and we drove to Arkansas. The following week, I drove to 300 S. Izard and nervously walked in. Wanda greeted me at the door and then Jay walked up a few seconds later.
Thirty minutes later I was offered a job and became part of the family. Without a doubt, it was the best $10 I ever spent! Over the course of the next four years, I learned about things and traveled to parts of the state I never knew existed. One of my favorites, although not the most beautiful, was Texarkana. The idea that Arkansas was on one side of the street and Texas was on the other just blew my little mind. I learned about courthouse history, how to get to Fayetteville and cheer for the Hogs and you can fry almost anything that’s not nailed down. Before I realized what had happened, I turned in a journalist and could write 500 words on any given subject in under an hour.
The Daily Record gave me free range to research and follow any story (within reason). I had the opportunity to interview Mayor Mark Stodola, tour the Maybelline Plant in North Little Rock, visit openings at Our House and open houses with Habitat for Humanity. On numerous occasions, I visited the State Capitol to hear Gov. Mike Beebe declare something or honor someone. When the paper featured legislators who were lawyers, I accompanied Jay when he interviewed them. A few times I even got a one-on-one chat with them myself. During the past few years, I saw hundreds of ribbons cut with those gigantic scissors and heard passionate people talk about the new addition, wing or hospital. I ate at delicious restaurants and sampled amazing cupcakes and truffles all in the name of research.
I met Realtors, attorneys, presidents of various associations, executive assistants, CEOs of companies and farmers. Everyone I met had a story and it was my job to find it, write it and make it shine. I have been blessed. Thank you for reading my words over the past four and half years. Thank you for personally telling me that you liked a certain article or feel like you know my family and me. That has been my only goal – to write well and have people read (and maybe) like it.
And now the hard part…this is my last column. I’m starting another chapter of life at Goodwill Industries of Arkansas at the beginning of this month. I was selected to be their new Public Relations and Community Engagement Manager. The thought of starting a new career at a new place is both exciting and overwhelming. I already have a great foundation that I’m ready to build upon. And for that, I thank Jay and the staff at the The Daily Record. My faithful reader, thank you for reading my column and giving me a chance to share. The past four and half years have been awesome and this little writer is truly appreciative.