Leaving - but with wonderful memories

I have moved many times over the years; it is the price you pay when you decide early on that you want a career in newspapers. However, it never gets easy saying goodbye to friends and relationships that developed over this time. This Saturday, the movers will roll up to my house and by the end of the day I will be leaving Havre for Ottumwa, Iowa. I have accepted the position as president and publisher of the Ottumwa Courier.

Martin Cody

Yes, I will be leaving, but I will be taking with me the memories of the two years I have spent in Havre. I will never forget the beauty of the Hi-Line and the green shimmering hills, buttes and mountains that can be seen from the top of the hill at 15th Street and 1st Avenue on a late spring morning. I was in awe of the beauty. And what it felt like to roar into town and be greeted by a temperature of minus 40 degrees. Even though I was raised in Chicago, it was a totally new experience. I can remember walking across 1st Street that night from the Great Northern Best Western Inn, to Uncle Joe's for dinner. It's a very short walk, but in a matter of a couple of minutes I had no feeling in my face. My forehead felt like I had eaten some ice cream too quickly on a hot summer's day.

My weekends were well spent using every chance I had exploring Montana and marveling at the state's beauty. I must have put 10,000 miles on my car with my weekend jaunts to far reaching places like Dillon, Sidney, Polson, Circle, Glasgow and Lewistown. In between those trips I spent many weekends enjoying the offerings and beauty of Bozeman, Helena and Missoula. And of course Columbia Falls and Glacier National Park were two of my favorite places to visit. I am not a hunter or fisherman, but I took advantage of the great places to mountain bike and was on the slopes skiing at every opportunity, which provided more opportunities for me to explore the beautiful state of Montana.

I implemented many changes at the newspaper, and could not have done it without the commitment and dedication from the staff at the Havre Daily News. To them I say thank you and keep up the good work. Whoever becomes the new publisher will be fortunate to inherit a great team. And to the people of the community, I hope that you will welcome him or her as you did me.

During my time here as publisher I believed that the Havre Daily News should be a reflection of the community. I encourage our readers to participate and interact with the Daily News through the website, Facebook, Twitter and letters to the editor and let us know what you are thinking.

Before signing off, I want to say that community newspapers fill a valuable role in our everyday lives by providing local and timely information. Regardless of the changing technology, being kept informed and the need for local information will not. The platform for delivery of the news and advertising might change, but the Daily News will be there committed to fulfilling your needs and supporting the community for years to come. Your newspaper will, as in the past, be the champion for Havre and the Hi-Line.

Thank you for all the wonderful memories.

(Martin Cody is the publisher of the Havre Daily News. He can be reached at [email protected].)