Mitch and I arrived here in Nome in the end of June, just 24 hours apart from one another. Laura had gotten off the plane a few weeks earlier, and Emily didn’t arrive until a few weeks later. So just over a week ago, when I informed Mitch that we’ve officially made it through one quarter of our year here in Nome, we were both surprised by the quick passage of time. And while this year could turn into two or three or even ten more years, it was eye-opening to think about the potential that 25 percent of our time in Nome could already be behind us.
This focus on the passage of time got me thinking about my place in this community and how happy I am to be finding it. I am excited to have a group of friends here in Nome, made up not only of people who have just moved here, but also people who have been here for many years. They bring stories from all over the world, advice for braving the winter, and all share the same adventurous attitude toward life. And I love that no matter where I go, whether it’s the grocery store, the rec center, or trivia night, I’m bound to run into someone that I know and have the chance to hear about their day.
I’m also thankful for the recent opportunity to get to know some of the young people in our community. I was thrilled to be invited to help chaperone an all-night youth lock-in event at Nome Eskimo Community last week, where Laura, Mitch, and I were able to participate in all kinds of activities and spend time with some really inspiring youth who not only made me laugh, but also impressed me with their maturity and kindness.
And I’ve met a lot of fantastic people through my participation in city league volleyball, where I’ve been able to have a blast with my teammates and get to know more of our talented and fun-loving community members. I am constantly in awe of the people of Nome and their desire to try new things and ability to laugh at themselves and others in the process. I can’t imagine better teammates or a better welcome back to my favorite sport after having to take a year off after knee surgery.
And of course, every single day I feel that I have an important place in this community that is western Alaska when I get the chance to talk to our amazing listeners. Whether it’s chatting with them on the phone when they call the station to send hotlines or submit requests for the 4 O’Clock Needle Drop or the Weekend Music Request Show, or meeting them in person on my trips to Gambell and Wales, KNOM listeners never fail to put a smile on my face with their funky song requests, descriptions of the weather in their villages, and stories about their lives.
There are still so many ways that I hope to keep getting involved in this community, and I’m thankful for every opportunity that I receive. I’m doing my best to become a Nomeite while I’m here, and I thank you, the people of our region, for welcoming me with open arms and continually inspiring me to do my best as a producer. I hope to be able to put smiles on your faces, just as you have been able to put a smile on mine.
