Oskaloosa News Says Goodbye To 2011

Osky News

Oskaloosa, Iowa – With the end of another year, and this being the end of our first full year at Osky News, I wanted to take the time to thank some people who have helped to make this possible, for without them and their support, this effort would have been nearly impossible.

First off I would like to thank my friend Charlie Comfort for all the amazing help he has been over the past year. He has helped to cover local and state politics, with his real interest being the Oskaloosa City Council. His knowledge of politics in general is amazing and second to none.

But beyond that, he’s been a good friend and very helpful in making sure I am where I need to be, and making me look smarter than I actually am.

Even though all those adventures in life have Charlie needing to focus on different things, and his role at Osky News will be more in the background, I will miss using him as a sounding board for ideas and thoughts on a day to day basis. Thank you Charlie.

Martha Comfort has been a great help in so many ways, not only by allowing me the privilege of getting to know her son Charlie, but by also contributing the popular ‘Living on Less’ series of articles. Her wonderful ideas on how to help save money and live the frugal life are of a great help to many during these tough financial times. Thank you Martha.

There are times when you just need someone with experience behind the lens, and I would reach out to my friend Don Hubbard on just those occasions. His desire to bring top notch photos to the readers of Osky News is second to none, and he’s been there whenever possible to help. His abilities go beyond the lens, and he helps to make many of the graphics you see on Osky News.

I can’t forget to thank Shoshannah Harwell for her help during the year and those mad dashes to the courthouse!

My parents have been a big help and support to me and my family during the past year. Mom has taken up the column of ‘Georgia’s Kitchen’ where she is sharing the knowledge and recipes of her mother, and my grandmother Georgia Diehm, who was always known for her cooking and baking. Every year now around this time, the simple things like orange-slice cookies that she use to make, and were always favorites of mine are missed, but not nearly as much as she is.

My sister Michelle who graciously gives of her time to haul me where I need to go. She is one of those people I depend upon greatly.

To my daughter Candace who isn’t afraid to grab a camera and start snapping photo’s of things she see’s. It’s not uncommon to find some photos of hers make their way onto the pages of Osky News or our Facebook page.

Mostly, I want to say thank you to her for her patience with me. Keeping up with all the news and sports keeps me away from home, and from spending the time with her that she deserves.

To my wife Ginger who also puts up with me being absent from the home, helps to edit stories, listens to me and my crazy ideas. She spends hours at a time looking over material for me, getting me to places I need to be. Without her help and support, there would be no Osky News.

To everyone we have interviewed, or looked to for guidance on a topic or idea, thank you for your patience and understanding.

Where would we be without you our readers? Oskaloosa and the residents of the many towns that make up Mahaska County are the reason we wake up every day and do this. Helping it’s residents be more aware and knowledgeable of the community they live in is our goal.

If I have forgotten anyone, it certainly wasn’t intentional.

If you want to help Osky News in the next year, please consider advertising with us, or making a donation using the PayPal link on the left side of the main page. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to info@oskynews.org and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

If your interested in volunteering your time or talents in helping to bring the news of Oskaloosa to it’s residents and the world, send us an email at the above listed address.

So from all of us that make up Osky News, to all of you, Happy New Year!