Words on print. It’s what we have been trying to do since the conception of The Munising Beacon. We have spent over a year on social media and producing digital copies to get to this point. But with this edition, that goal of words on print has come to fruition.

I can only imagine the emotions of actually holding the pages and smelling the ink that brings The Beacon to life – both a tangible, sensory reminder of all the work that’s gone into this endeavor so far and a reminder that we are now able to better serve the community with a traditional media product.

It would be very easy to focus on the celebrations, and there should be happiness. Someone finally “gave a darn about Alger County” again. But we can’t celebrate this achievement without recognizing those that helped us get this far.

First, thank you to The Newberry News ownership and staff. They helped co-found and provide the overwhelming majority of the initial startup costs of this publication. Their support and knowledge are amazing, and they still work with us covering sports and those areas caught between Newberry and Munising. It might be hard to appreciate Newberry with the football game tonight, but make sure to put respect on The Newberry News’s name, because they won the 2022 Michigan Press Association Newspaper of the Year while helping start the Beacon.

A number of people have contributed stories and photos to the Beacon. To name those that contributed multiple times, Jennifer Champagne, Brent Rushford, James Petersen, Kelly Sippl and Lisa Cromell have provided multiple stories. With photos, Kevin Dunham, Amanda Storm, Maggie Thoune, Tom Dolaskie, Brooke Frusti, Nicole Lasak, Jennifer Wood, Brian Menghini and Chelsea Martin have given us some beautiful views. To everyone who was willing to share with us, write letters to the editor, send us a tip or message us a picture, the talent you provided made the Beacon’s coverage better. That better coverage only makes the community more aware of things happening right here in our own backyards and I hope you truly recognize how helpful you’ve been.

Organizations and businesses have also helped immensely. The Munising Flower Shop and the Trenary Tavern were our first local advertisers back when we were only doing Facebook updates. Putvin Drug Store helped with our subscription drive. Alger Parks and Recreation gave us a physical home in the community and our office is still there. The Grand Marais Pilot & Pictured Rocks Review and Radio Results Network shared stories and groups like AC3, MSU Extension, Munising Moose Lodge, Kiwanis of Alger County and the Alger Conservation District have also written words to go in the paper.

Thank you to the schools of Alger County for their willingness to work with us on whatever project comes up. Thank you to the churches and the faith leaders that submit congregation notes. Thank you to the government officials that work peacefully with us to report on various public actions. And thank you to all of the staff at our new owners The Advisor for jumping headfirst into this project and joining us in a print product.

But most of all, thank you to all my friends and loved ones for their support during this process. I would have failed a thousand times over if it wasn’t for your love and compassion. Whether its been indepth discussion to understand tough topics or just an attaboy and a cup of coffee, you’ve given me the strength to keep going in this tougher-than-expected journey. I’ve been spending most of this week reaching out to all of you and still have a lot more to go, but you were so instrumental in my success and wellbeing, that this publication should be considered your success as well. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate you all.

Here’s to The Munising Beacon: the only newspaper to exist because of the people of Alger County.