Luverne Kiwanis has a little tradition that is followed whenever students join us for Tuesday meetings.

As part of the introductions, the students are asked to tell the group who their parents (and sometimes, grandparents) are. Kiwanis president Derek Bryan says members may not recognize the children, but they usually recognize their people.

About seven months into my tenure in the club, I started recognizing “their people,” too. This may not sound like a big deal to you, but it made this outsider feel like I had reached a milestone and was finally looking at things as a part of Crenshaw County.

I recently reached a more traditional milestone. Saturday was my first anniversary as editor of The Luverne Journal.

I spent the day working. What could be more appropriate for a “workaversery?” I covered the Main Street Market and Pepsi Pavilion grand opening. The events were a perfect representation for all that I love about Crenshaw County and this job I am blessed to have. They were the result of a group of people who have invested in downtown Luverne and want nothing more than to see it thrive.

Saturday’s events were also proof of what I have been telling people for 12 months. Unlike other places, there is always something to write about in Crenshaw County.

Thank you Crenshaw, for sharing your stories with me and making this year fly. I look forward to what the next year has to offer and all of the students and “there people” I come to know.