It’s hard to believe it has been more than 20 years since Sharon Montague and I walked up and down Douglas Avenue, talking to business owners about the possibility of starting a second newspaper in Ellsworth.

Most appeared skeptical, especially Jeff Holm, who at the time owned a car dealership here. I suspect he would have called his security people to show us the door — if he had had any security people to call. He wasn’t alone. Many of our colleagues were not particularly taken with the idea of starting a second weekly newspaper in a small rural community.

Yet here we are and, as you can tell from reading the front page of this week’s edition, ready for another generation of leadership.

The new editor-publisher of the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter is Karen Bonar, who appreciates rural communities and the newspapers that serve them as much as I do. The I-R and Ellsworth County could not be in better hands.

The early days at the Indy are a blur. I slept in my car several nights because I was too tired to crawl into the house after pulling into the garage. There was so much to do; even more to learn.

So many of you helped us when we opened the Indy in the building that now houses the office of dentist Dr. Kurt Williams. That was in 1999 and we haven’t stopped since.

We hope the same can be said for our readers. These are difficult times for newspapers. The I-R has been more fortunate than most. We’ve had talented, dedicated employees over the years who have contributed to the continued viability of a product that for all of us is more than a job.

Newspapers are the glue that helps bond a community. Ask Salina, Hays and other towns what happens when the newspaper falls into the hands of a hedge fund whose only interest is in the bottom line.

Print is part of the fabric of rural Kansas — for those communities lucky enough to still have their newspapers.

My hope for the future of the I-R is that no matter how it is delivered, residents will continue to support Karen and the rest of the staff as they track the comings and goings in Ellsworth County. No one else covers local county commission, city council and school board meetings. These stories are unique to the newspaper.

I will still be around — full time until late May and then five weeks of vacation before I become a part-time writer for the I-R and associated publications.

Meanwhile, thank you to everyone who made the past two decades pass so quickly. I never once have regretted my decision to start a business in Ellsworth County.

I have met great people I would not have known otherwise and made friendships I will treasure always. As George Bailey would say, “It’s been a wonderful life.”

Editor’s Note — The Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter welcomes Letters from Our Readers. They must be signed with a telephone number for verification and personal attacks and “alternative facts” should be avoided.

Send your letters to 304 N. Douglas Ave., Ellsworth, Kan. 67439. The e-mail address is news@indyrepnews.com. Questions: (785) 472-5085.