Life comes full-circle for longtime publisher

There have been many changes to the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman the past 14 years, and yet another occurs today as I relinquish my post as publisher of one of the best community newspapers in the nation.

When I arrived in the Mat-Su Valley nearly 14 years ago to the day, the Frontiersman was printed Wednesdays and Fridays and delivered through the mail, newspaper racks and stores throughout the Valley. It was also printed in Anchorage the afternoon before it became available to our readers. It was a rare occasion to find a photo or an advertisement printed in full color in those days, too.

We still put the newspaper together by cutting stories apart, waxing them and pasting them on layout grids. Ads were laid on the pages in much the same fashion. It was common in those days to see employees (myself included) sporting bandages on their thumbs and fingers where the X-ACTO knife took a slice when we tried to rush to meet our deadlines. The layout grids were then driven into Anchorage to the printer and several hours later, we’d drive back to pick up the finished newspapers and ready them for distribution.

It was a much different process than the computer-generated pages of today that are sent to film, printed and produced right here in the Valley.

As my time here comes to an end, I know I leave the newspaper in the very capable hands of the people who do the work every day to bring our readers the news and information they depend on to stay informed on what’s happening in the community, and to help them make their shopping decisions with the ever-growing selection of local Valley businesses.

My life in Alaska — and at the newspaper — has been richly blessed with many good friends and talented employees, all of whom I’ll dearly miss. I won’t, however, say goodbye, as I know I’ll be back to visit several times a year. My husband and I will leave behind our oldest son, daughter-in-law, grandson Thomas and newborn granddaughter Emily, who ironically is scheduled to make her arrival this very afternoon. I can’t think of a better way to start a new chapter in my life by welcoming her into this world and the Valley.

To all of you who have touched my life over the years, I thank you for making me a better person. Until we meet again … stay safe, laugh often and live well.

— Kari