---

We, as journalists, live in a day and age where we are up against a lot of odds. People tell us newspapers are dying, that we're "old and tiring." They tell us that ad revenues are down, and that nobody reads the newspaper anymore. But out of all the negativity, I still find things every day that I'm thankful for as a journalist, reporting on people and activities in the communities across Iowa County.
All of the residents that make a difference in our communities, I am thankful for all of you! People who volunteer for organizations, decide to run for public office, write letters to the editor that share their passion for any given topic - I am thankful for all of you.
Those who willingly sit down for an interview, even when topics are tough or sensitive, I am thankful for you. And those who I interview and later make the effort to call or email to tell me I did a decent job telling their story, I am thankful for you too.
Board and council members who don't want their meetings to run three hours long - I am thankful for you. And those members who are so passionate about an issue that they want to make sure their voice is heard, no matter how long it takes, I am thankful for you too.
First responders, fire fighters and other emergency personnel who respond when I hear the scanner go off at the Chronicle - I am thankful for you.
Our county's school districts that keep our kids educated, challenged and motivated - I am thankful for all five of you! And the teachers and staff that show that same amount of dedication - I am thankful for you all too.
To my co-workers who take pride in putting a product together each week, who feel more like family sometimes - I am thankful for you too.
Sure, journalists get a bad rep, especially when everyone thinks they can be one just because they have a cell phone and Facebook. But even with all that negitivity, at the end of the day, I'm still thankful for a job in journalism and a job at my hometown newspaper.