As we begin a new year, I sit back and look at the pile of papers I keep on my desk from the past year. I like to keep a stack handy for quick access when questions come up on whether or not an article was run and when.
It’s also a cool visual representation of all the months that have gone by and all the stories about our community, people and events that can be found somewhere within the pages of a nearly eight-inch stack on my desk.
Week to week, I’m fairly prepared for what will reach my desk. With our staff meetings, annual events and seasonal traditions, I have a good idea of what I’ll be working on during the week.
Even with that, I had a moment of realization when I thought about the stories that we covered in the last year and beyond. There are so many micro-communities within our larger community that some of us will never really get the chance to learn or be a part of. It’s a little bittersweet. I get the same feeling when I stand in a bookstore or library. I will never in my life have the chance to read all those books. But it’s still so beautiful that they’re all there.
I’ve read about local HAM radio enthusiasts, unique sports like futsal and cricket, avid quilters, LEGO builders, bookworms, dedicated volunteers and so much more. Now, some of these groups I know I’d never participate in, either because it’s not really my cup of tea or I don’t think I have the skill. But that hasn’t taken the joy away from learning about them.
It’s comforting to know that someone can always find common ground and connection over the little things. And that’s what makes a community grow. Without HAM radio enthusiasts the community wouldn’t have people with the skill for emergencies. Without quilters, quilt donations would never reach hospitals and police departments to comfort those going through a traumatic experience.
Each little community is a thread that weaves together a larger community. With diverse interests, curiosities and passions, everyone plays a role in the larger ecosystem.
At Tri-City Voice, we’re ready for another year of finding communities within the community and sharing them with all those who pick up our paper in 2026 and beyond.
