Ayers offers his appreciation to Stoddard County community

Ayers

On Jan. 4, 2001, I began my career at The Dexter Statesman, then The Daily Statesman. It has been a great 23 years.

In my last couple of days at the newspaper I had many co-workers and community members thank me for my work and time at the newspaper. Some brought cards or gifts.

It was greatly appreciated and very humbling.

While it was all very much appreciated, I should thank all of you. I was blessed too with many great and knowledgeable co-workers. The first of which was Marilyn Tucker who gave me a chance way back in 2001 when she hired me.

I started in the composition department working under Marilyn. She taught me my first lessons in the newspaper business.

Over the years, I learned from every co-worker I worked with. Over the years, I believe I worked in every department at one time or another.

I moved into the newsroom under editor Noreen Hyslop, taking photos. Maybe inside me somewhere I wanted to be in the newsroom. I can remember having many conversations with Noreen even before moving to the newsroom. I would ask her how she obtained information and why she wrote the story the way she did.

After Noreen retired, I would be given my first writing assignments and would become editor. I cannot thank the newspaper staff at Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, Doniphan, Cape Girardeau and Kennett enough for their support and advice over the years.

The biggest thank yous are to the communities in Stoddard County for their support. Whether you shared a news tip, invited me to a city council meeting, school board meeting or other event for news coverage, offered your friendship or all of the above, thank you so much. You will never know how much it was appreciated.

I humbly ask for your continued support as I join the sales team at Morlan Chevrolet in Dexter. Also I ask that you continue to support the newspaper and its staff. Thank you so much for the last 23 years.