By David Heiller
This is the time of year that newspaper editors look back at the big stories of the past 12 months.

This year we are doing a photo version of our ìyear-in-reviewî article. The photo highlights for the first six months of 2004 will be printed in next weekís paper, followed on January 12 by the last six months of 2004.

So what were the highlights of 2004? Thatís a very subjective question. Some of the highlights were low lights. Fires, murder trials, sexual assaults are not highlights of anyoneís life. But they are news.

I tend to gauge a storyís importance by how much I think about it afterward. So hereís what stands out for me from 2004.

I donít think Iíll ever forget the Justin Meyer kidnapping trial. It was such an intense emotional experience. Both sides of the courtroom really suffered, the family of Justin and the family of Mark Sullivan. And the kidnapping victim, who spoke with such sadness and conviction.

I remember the feature stories I did on natural history, my walks with Randy Mell and Valiree Green from the DNR, my river trips with Jim Nissen. Itís a perk of this job that I get to write about things like that. Itís also a good reminder to me, and hopefully the readers, of how lucky we are to live where we live.

I remember the farm stories, standing in the fields and milking parlors. Talking to Kris Houdek as she was about to till the ground, visiting with Joe Burg during a lull in baling, listening to Scott Bulman after he combined a field of corn with the sun golden in the west.

Farming is important to us, and one of my priorities is to keep The Argus on top of it. (And itís one of those stories that I love to tell.)

Traditions are important too, and thatís why I remember the threshing stories I did about Alan Wunnecka of Freeburg. Of course, itís hard to forget any trip to the ridges above good old Freeburg. It truly is Godís country, especially with a field of oat shocks glowing in the summer sun.

Mostly I remember people, who get woven into the paper the way they get woven into our lives. Jean Betz and her flower gardens, Marjorie Sather and her donuts, Margaret Goetzinger and her bright smile anywhere, any time.

Allen and Jody Krueger and their fine farm family. Tim Moenck and his story of catching a fish in Iraq. Steve Serres and his passion for mushroom hunting. The list is almost endless.

People are what a weekly newspaper is all about. Ordinary people with ordinary lives. Thatís a big part of our coverage.

Some big stories will emerge in 2005. The county will move toward building a new jail. Housing developments will keep coming, bringing conflicts with local landowners. Schools and local governments will struggle to pay the bills with the governorís pledge of ìno new taxesî ringing in their ears.

The war in Iraq isnít going away, unfortunately, and that is affecting the lives of local families.

I know Iím missing some things here. Thatís where you come in. Keep us informed. Send us your ideas and thoughts and letters. Keep reading The Argus.

Thanks in advance for doing so!

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Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475

E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com