Jun 15, 2016 2 min read

Nine years.

It’s hard to believe so much time has passed since we launched Living in Washington County magazine and this is my final edition as editor.

I’m moving on to tackle new assignments within the Observer Publishing Co. as executive editor of the Observer-Reporter and The Almanac.

As I put the finishing touches on this edition, I remember the myriad stories we’ve brought to readers about the people, places and events that shape our community and make living here so special.

I also can’t help but reflect on the challenges involved with producing a magazine, most of which have to do with working months in advance to meet printer deadlines. And that’s not always easy for a bunch of newspaper folks who tend to push deadlines daily.

In fact, our first such dilemma surfaced with that initial magazine. We had decided on a springtime feature about improving your golf game, perfect for a March/April edition, we figured.

Did I mention we had to shoot the cover in January? In Southwestern Pennsylvania?

During a warm spell, staff photographer Jim McNutt stumbled on a college student practicing her swing at Lindenwood Golf Club in North Strabane Township while home on holiday break.

She also happened to be a former WPIAL golf champion.

Serendipity.

As a contributor, I’ve also been privileged to tell the stories of some pretty amazing people.

People like Mary Jo Podgurski, who is probably best known for her work with area youth and who opened her home to share the story of her Italian upbringing and food traditions like pizzagaina, or Easter pie.

And Anna and David Berg, local candy makers who are helping locals carry on the sweet traditions started by Anna’s father, Jake Paradise, founder of Paradise Confectionery.

We’ll continue to bring you more stories like theirs.

But I’ll be enjoying them from the sidelines.

Here’s to the next nine years!