I started writing as a news contributor for the Register in July 2014, and my first assignments were covering the county commissioners, Westport Island and Woolwich selectmen meetings. Over the years, I also covered Edgecomb and Southport selectmen meetings.

It was interesting to attend the various meetings because, although the towns are small, each has its own very distinct personality and issues.

Learning about our peninsula and the people who live here is a wonderful benefit of this work – you realize pretty quickly that everyone has an interesting story – and it’s just a matter of taking time to let them tell it and then making sure that everything is accurate.

After almost 10 years, there are hundreds of stories I’ve written. It’s difficult to pick one favorite from the past, but a couple stand out. “The County’s Attic” was an opportunity to check out what was stored atop the courthouse building and in the environmentally controlled cellar. That was fun because you could not only feel the history, but see and touch it, including documents that went back to John Adams’ time!

On a personal note, the opening of the Community Center was huge – not only for the community but for me, too. I have so many wonderful friendships that came about because of the folks I met there. More recently, I really enjoyed doing the research and writing the story about Maine lobstermen becoming an endangered species.

Not much in my background would have predicted that I’d write for the Register, but my previous work did require me to write frequently. I was in high tech for a long time and then moved to Maine and worked in the attorney general’s office. After that, I started my own business and worked with police to help victims of data breaches and identity theft. And, just to make sure I didn’t have too much time to spare, I was a visitor for probate court guardianship cases.

I tell everyone that this is the best job I ever had and that’s for two reasons: one, because it’s always different – never boring! I learn something new with each story. The other reason is the Register “family” – they made me feel welcome when I first started and are supportive and wonderful to work for. I’m happy to be part of the tradition of a community newspaper.