Three of my Monticello favorites

To the Editor:

     “The only constant in life is change.”

     Three of my favorite Monticello people have some life changes coming up!

     Some may think Fr. Paul Baldwin is retiring as Sacred Heart’s priest – far from it! He’s been serving us for 12 years and in a few weeks will be transitioning to be the new pastor at the Emmaus Pastorate which includes five parishes: (Elkader, Colesburg, Volga, Edgewood, Strawberry Point). Whew!

     If we “checked the books” at Sacred Heart Church, it would be unbelievable to see the number of weddings, funerals, and other sacraments Fr. Paul has administered to the parishioners of St. Luke in Hopkinton, and at Sacred Heart. The ministries that aren’t “recorded” are the number of phone calls in the middle of the night, the hospital visits, the attendance at meetings, the school Masses, and so much more!

     Fr. Paul has much to do in his new placement, but he takes great experience and support from Monticello with him! Drop a note to him in the next two weeks before he lands in Delaware/Clayton counties. Shalom, Father!

     She came to us as a small-town girl with so much charm and so many stories to tell! Express editor Kim Brooks has reported on so many Jones County Supervisors and Monticello City Council meetings that I’ve got to believe those leaders are still looking around for her before the gavel hits to begin!

     Her weekly columns stretched from book reviews, Olympics coverage, personal reflection on a world tragedy, but most often about something great happening in our county.

     Her optimism and appreciation of the beautiful, yet simple life in a small town is why we were able to keep this gem as editor for 16 years! Record breaking for small town newspapers!

     You’ll find Kim just south of town working for Kirkwood and the student leaders of tomorrow. She takes with her experiences of long-time friendships with the Spensley and Goodyear families knowing she has the strength to make new memories with new faces. Go gettum, Kim!

     Big city Pete Temple made the right choice of following his heart (and Diane!) to Monticello to be sports editor for Bob Goodyear in 1998. I don’t know of any athlete (or fine arts kid!) who doesn’t know Pete from several surrounding school districts. He’s always the guy in the end zone, underneath the hoop, laying on a mat, or wearing the raingear at a track meet! Both of my kids, and yours, have benefited from Pete’s news coverage.

     While he may have once wanted to be known as Pistol Pete or some other famous athlete, his interests in horse racing and harness racing at the fair educated us all about what we were seeing.

     He recognizes the value of so many “small town” relationships and has seen the impact of a smaller school system with his boys’ interests. He could be their greatest fan in often the best seat in the house!

     He’s on to retirement where he can sing/play the piano even more, travel to a few more wineries with Diane or take in an NBA game with the boys. Freedom from the daily grind gives an opportunity to begin his memoir of the most memorable events in his 44 years of reporting, reporting, reporting. He, too, takes with him the memories of a great Express “team” and the winnings of low stakes bets with Mark. Enjoy it, Pete!

     Life is full of changes, and losing these three in the same season seems a little unfair. But two things are sure…they all know how to be successful people…and we all enjoyed their time with us!

     Best of luck to three of my Monticello favorites!

Mary Melchert

Monticello, IA.