Jill's Journal: Take a bow, Cody Strand. You deserve it.

One of the things that I enjoy is telling a good story. To be more specific, telling our good stories.

And I’ve been fortunate to do that right here for two decades-plus now. Over the years, I’ve met so many people that within our introductory “hellos, nice to meet you,” have become instant acquaintances. How lucky can a girl get?

A few weeks back, it was time for me to page through the past 52 issues of the Brandon Valley Journal for the “without-fail” annual “Year in Review” report. And this year was like all the others: I forget just how much territory that our small-in-number staff covers every week, all because I believe a well-rounded community newspaper should have news, sports, features, editorials and columns that inspire, entertain, even challenges readers. And don’t forget the pictures. Because as the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” They also make moms and dads and grandparents pretty happy, too!

Of course, to tell a good story, there needs to be a good story to tell and good people to share their stories with me. And with more than four decades in community journalism, I’ve been blessed countless times by all three. 

Some of my favorite stories have come out of our schools, whether it be new teachers joining the Brandon Valley staff or veteran educators who have closed out decades-long careers in the classroom. There have been tender stories about our kids with special needs, one about a kid with insane piano skills, the gentle giant headed to play Division I football, and oodles more.

Early on in my career in Brandon, I crossed paths with Cody Strand, who could light up the Performing Arts Stage in any role Kevin Brick cast him in. (By the way, he so wanted to play the role of the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz, but “Brick wasn’t buying,” his request, he told me.)

Over the years, I’ve done an assortment of interviews with Cody, about the lead roles he had in the high school plays to the incredible scholarships he’s received to study theater, and his unexpected step onto the Broadway stage.

Last week, I had the opportunity to catch up with “Brandon’s Broadway Boy” as I have tagged him. Our conversations never disappoint me, and I learn more and more about him each time we talk. As I told him, he’s likely the closest I will ever get to Broadway.

I marvel as he tells me about rubbing elbows with big-time celebrities, comedic actors I’ve watched on Saturday Night Live, a show that I’ve been watching since my babysitting days as a young teenager. And because I surely can’t understand the grind of putting on eight shows a week – with a mere two-weeks off for vacation every year – parting ways with a long-running Broadway show seems unthinkable.

But he tells me he’s ready for something new, like a television sitcom or whatever piques his interest. (Now, how fun would it be to tune into 30 minutes of Cody hilarity?)

No matter where his theatrical talents may take him, I’m elated that Brandon’s Broadway Boy always has time for a chat with a “friend from home.”

Take a bow, Cody Strand. You deserve it.

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The Knights of Columbus Splitrock Council #13400 Free Throw Championship is on tap for Sunday, Jan. 18 at Brandon Valley High School. The event is for boys and girls ages 9-14. Registration opens at 4 p.m. and the competition starts at 4:15 p.m. For questions, call Joe Krivarchka at (701) 371-8126.