I’ve known for several weeks that this time was coming—the final issue of The Wauneta Breeze. But the magnitude of that word—“final”—didn’t really hit me until I sat down to write what will be my final-ever column in the history of the Breeze.
    It’s been a grand run! But I can’t help feel the melancholy brought on by the end of an era—both for us as owners of the Breeze for nearly 40 years and for the community this newspaper has shepherded for more than 130 years.
    I can still remember the elation Lori and I felt when we got that first issue out as the new editors in July, 1982. Boy, was I ever wet behind the ears!
    But we had great mentors in Lori’s parents, Loral and Elna Johnson. Printer’s ink flowed through the veins of Loral for sure, starting as a printer’s devil at the age of nine.
    I often think of another printer’s devil who got his start in the newspaper business at the Breeze—good ol’ Jigger—G.B. “Jiggs” Crapson.
    Johnson Publications purchased the paper from Jiggs in 1982. Jiggs was instrumental in introducing us to the community and helping us forge our relationship with the Wauneta community over the next 15 years.
    It’s hard to believe that it was almost 38 years ago when we moved to Wauneta. The community welcomed us and we embraced the community, establishing forever friendships and memories.

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