Thanks for the memories, Manchester

This is my final blog post for The Wire.

I'm leaving Heritage Media to begin a new reporting job covering Redford Township near Detroit, but wanted to leave some final thoughts on working with and in Manchester for more than a year.

Covering a village like Manchester was the right thing for me to do after graduating college. I had worked in the big city for 7 months previously, but craved more. I wanted a community, I wanted to get to know a town well. I felt like I had more of an opportunity to do that covering Manchester, and did what I could to make that happen.

Even though my role at Heritage shifted over the last 6 months, I still identified with covering Manchester. I tried to make sure the stories I did write were in Manchester, and enjoyed all of the community events I covered.

I tell stories to my friends back near Detroit and across the country about how this small town can do so much. I talk about the Chicken Broil, and I marvel to them about how this village attracts thousands for a delicious chicken dinner every year. I saw events such as the medieval festival and Crazy Ca$h night, and was in awe of the participation and enthusiasm everyone involved had. They are impressed with the stories I tell.

I've appreciated all of the feedback I've received from residents, both positive and negative. I realize I came into a town as an outsider, and I worked to make myself recognizable around town. I've spent plenty downtown eating lunch and sometimes dinner, and I found myself loving spending the afternoons writing at the Manchester District Library.

Thank you to everyone who I've worked with in the village and surrounding townships. I hope our paths cross again in the future.