by Diane Lowrey
R-T Editor
In probably what is one of the worst-kept secrets in Grundy County, I am officially announcing to our Republican-Times readers that I will be retiring from the newspaper effective the end of the business day on Wednesday, Dec. 23.
My immediate family, as well as my R-T family and a few close friends, have known about this decision for awhile. But in typical small-town fashion, the word has been getting out and I feel now is the time to let everyone else officially know.
It was 42 years ago this past May 15 that a recent college graduate from Monroe City, MO walked into the Republican-Times building for her first day on the job, having no idea what to expect. I knew absolutely no one in Trenton (or so I thought), but my very first story resulted in meeting an individual who has since become a very good friend as well as a great news source. And while Steve Maxey no longer lives here in Trenton, we still have contact nearly every day as he has become my “go-to” when it comes to finding out news about those who no longer live here but still call Trenton “home.” I am still amazed at how he finds out all the information he shares, especially when it comes to letting me know about former residents who have passed away – many of whom have not lived in the area for several years. For that, he has earned the nickname from me of “Edna,” which is another story that will continue to remain just between Steve and I.
My first week at work also resulted in a second long-time friendship with an individual with whom I shared a hometown address. The late Marilyn Robbins, having read about me joining the newspaper staff on Monday, called me on Tuesday and invited me to her home for tea. I had no idea who this woman was, other than her family were natives of Monroe City, but my fellow employees assured me that it would be fine for me to go. I am so glad I accepted that invitation. Not only did I learn more about her family (the Hendersons who, at the time I was a little girl, owned an egg/poultry processing plant that was the largest employer in our community), I got a lesson in politics, which at the time I had a deep fascination with. Through my friendship with both her and her husband, Bill, I met a lot of interesting individuals on the local, state and national level. Plus, they were just nice, nice people. And to this day those family friendships continue through their two daughters – Meredith and Marsha – and their grandchildren.
The third friendship I made early-on and maintained over the years was with the late Pat and Carolyn Wilson, who I always like to say “took me in” when I moved to Trenton. I knew both of their sons while attending college at Truman State University (then Northeast Missouri State University) and when Pat and Carolyn learned I was moving to Trenton to work at the newspaper, they made sure I knew that if I ever needed anything, all I had to do was call. I was lucky enough to work with Pat while he served on the Park Board and Carolyn while she taught business classes at the high school as well as reporting on the sports accomplishments of their younger son, Tim, who was still in high school when I moved here. What wonderful people they were and I consider it a blessing to have had them in my life.
I have a lot of stories from my time at the Republican-Times, many of which involve the people I have gotten to know and the stories I have covered over the past 42 1/2 years. I look forward to sharing some of them with you over the next few months.
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