When I learned that I had been hired as the new editor of Powhatan Today, two thoughts immediately sprang to mind.

The first thought was that I had just been presented with a wonderful opportunity, one I would never even dreamed of when I started here as the sports editor just a few years ago.

The second thought? I had better not mess this up.

I say this only half in jest, because I do recognize that with this new adventure comes a great responsibility to the residents of Powhatan County, many of whom have been loyal readers for more than two decades. The people of this county deserve the best newspaper that we can give them, and I will do my very best to provide that.

Since starting here, I have had the great fortune to work under three wonderful editors, all of whom were also great teachers. All three, Charles Batchelor, Clark Ballew and, most recently, Wes Hester, were tremendously generous with their time and their guidance and I am looking forward to building on all that they have done to make the newspaper what it is today.

Someone asked me, somewhere during the process of applying for this position, what my vision was for the newspaper. Simply put, it is to be able to put an issue on the stands every week that residents feel reflects them and what they are all about. I have lived here in the county for six years, and have come to know Powhatan as a unique, fascinating place, full of generous and resourceful people.

So what if no one outside Virginia can ever seem to pronounce the name of our proud little county correctly? This is still a pretty neat place to call home. And that, in a nutshell, is what I’d like people to see reflected back when they pick up their Powhatan Today.

As I said, I’ve been hanging out in the sports section for the past few years — an unbelievable experience in itself — but I have been able to slip away from time to time and cover some other areas of the county as well.

The one thing you learn very quickly in this job, is never to underestimate people’s generosity of spirit, or their capacity to give of themselves. Over the years we have had the opportunity to interview people at some of the highest and lowest moments they may ever experience, and these people have continuously amazed me with the courage they displayed in sharing their stories.

Of course, as any newspaper should, we also get to revel in the lighter side of the news from time to time, and I’ve had my share of those stories as well. Should anyone doubt my dedication to this fine publication, I would direct them to speak with Jimmy Nixon, who was kind enough to give me a lift in his ultralight aircraft for a story I was working on a few years back. Soaring high above the treetops of Powhatan was both terrifying and exhilarating, and I realized in those moments why I absolutely love working here.

Needless to say, any more assignments that require someone to leave the ground will probably go to someone else, but I cannot wait to start discovering more of the many stories all around us.

I’ve heard it said by some that not much happens here. I’m looking forward to proving them wrong.