Believe me, I'm just as amazed as you are. Longevity in a transient business.
After a few years of bad choices and bad timing, lightning struck on that early summer day in 1998. I happened to be looking for work when WNEP was desperately short of producers. Rather than take a job offered in West Virginia, I chose to take a chance on WNEP (and vice versa), and it all worked out.
By the way, a pro tip for college students and recent graduates, learn how to produce a newscast. There is always work for producers. It's tough work, and burn out is always constantly staring over your shoulder, but producing is an "in demand" position.
I'll level with you. There have been some awful days. And some great ones. And plenty in the middle. I was doing the math, and I've spent more than 40 per cent of my life at 16 Montage Mountain Road.
It all comes down to the people. Yes, not everyone has been a favorite, and I'm sure the feeling was mutual. On the other hand, I cherish the friendship of some past and present coworkers. They keep me sane. They reminded me to stop and think. And to feel. I've never been good at that. You saw me at my best. You saw me at my worst. I'm reminded of a small sign that used to be on a filing cabinet in the old WARM 590 newsroom in Avoca: "You know who you are and what you did." I'll add a "thank you."
