Jill's Journal: Because of you ...

This week, the Brandon Valley Journal and Brandon Valley Trader begin their 10th year of publication.

To be honest, there were times earlier this year when I wasn’t sure we’d make it.

When I put out a call for help, it wasn’t something I did lightly. Asking for help isn’t easy. For nearly four months, we were without an advertising sales representative, and I found myself trying to keep the business afloat while still doing what I truly love – writing stories, taking photographs and sharing the stories of this incredible community, the greater Brandon Valley area.

It was exhausting. It was overwhelming. And at times, it was downright scary.

I never imagined that one day in my career I’d “own” a newspaper. I put “own” in quotations, because there are some very kind people who financially supported the start-up of Brandon Valley Media Group, myself included.

Before this opportunity presented itself, I’d always considered myself a worker bee, not the queen bee. After spending the last several years wearing both hats, I can confidently tell you that being the worker bee is a whole lot easier.

But thanks to you, we made it.

Because of our loyal subscribers.

Because of our faithful advertisers.

Because of people who simply believed that a community newspaper still matters.

Your encouragement, your subscriptions, your advertising support and your kind words carried us through one of the most difficult timess in our nearly 10-year journey. I will never forget that.

For me, this community has become home in every sense of the word. In fact, Brandon is the place I’ve lived longer than anywhere else in my life.

Long before I ever covered a city council meeting or photographed a Friday night football game, I was visiting Brandon in the mid-1980s while living in nearby Luverne. Every once in a while, we’d make our way over for a cold beverage at Freddie’s – what many newcomers know today as the Double D – or head down a long gravel road to Huset’s Speedway. That gravel road, of course, eventually transitioned into today’s three-lane Sioux Boulevard.

Over the last 22 years of reporting here, I’ve had the privilege of watching Brandon “grow up.”

I’ve watched the ditches along Holly Boulevard disappear as the road widened to accommodate a growing community. I’ve written hundreds of stories celebrating ribbon cuttings and grand openings, and unfortunately, I’ve also written stories announcing the closure of some of those same businesses that began with big dreams of building a better life and serving this community.

That’s one of the sad realities of business. It’s also a reminder that local businesses need local support.

I hope we always continue to embrace the idea of “Buy Brandon.” Whether it’s your favorite restaurant, neighborhood bar, hardware store, salon, coffee shop, boutique or hometown newspaper, every dollar spent locally helps strengthen the community we all love.

I’ve often said that everyone has a story worth telling. And for nearly a decade here at the Journal, it’s been my privilege to tell many of yours.

I’ve celebrated your championships, your milestones, your new businesses, your new homes, your new schools and your new beginnings. I’ve shared your heartbreaks, honored your loved ones and documented the moments that have shaped this community’s history.

Those stories matter because you matter.

As we begin our 10th year of publication, my commitment remains exactly what it was from day one.

I’ll keep showing up. I’ll keep asking questions. I’ll keep taking pictures. And I’ll keep telling our story.

Because this community has given me far more than I could ever repay. And because our story is a story worth telling.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making these first nine years possible. Here’s to the next chapter.