It’s time for me to say

Auf Wiedersehen

— and Prost!, my favorite German word — to Fredericksburg and Gillespie County. It’s been an honor to publish the paper and magazines here.

I came here January 1, 2012, and rented a house on Morse Street. Shortly afterward, I found a place to purchase a few blocks away. I knew few people, save for the previous publisher and editor, Terry and Cathy Collier, who helped me ease into the role.

Fourteen-plus years later, as I wind up my time here, I will leave with some good friends made and proud of the work done with some incredible team members. And I hope the readers think I showed a proper respect to this incredible town and its storied history. Four generations of my family newspaper history, combined with the legacies of Art Kowert and Terry Collier, was a good mix to uphold tradition yet forge new trails.

The new owner from Times Media Group, Steve Strickbine, will soon have a new person in this role, and he or she will continue the community focus that the previous publishers and staff have made Job One.

The timing will work out well for both me and my family, and the new owners will set their own direction. My hope is that they continue to put out one of the best weekly papers in Texas.

Fredericksburg was a great place to raise our sons. We are forever grateful for the opportunities given to them in Fredericksburg’s public school system. Their love of the arts was fulfilled, and both are making their way in the world today doing what they enjoy most, inspired by teachers at Fredericksburg Middle School and Fredericksburg High School. Christine and I have talked about being empty nesters for the past five years, and there being a big world out there to explore.

We’ll miss this town. I always say it’s a small town with big city attractions. And its tourism trade gives it an energy not found in other sleepy burgs.

We’ll also miss our neighborhood. We’re in the city limits, but a bit off any major streets so it’s quiet and there aren’t any wild short-term rentals nearby. I’ll miss hearing polka music come from neighbor Horst Klauser’s garage.

I’ve also had some wonderful employees during my time. Kim Jung, Nathan Crenwelge, Sherrie Geistweidt, Ann Duecker and Steven Cornehl all worked here between 30 and 50 years, and I wish I could clone them and dispatch them to every newspaper in the state. Similarly, the people who have worked under them have established great relationships with the community and built them up.

The challenges to community newspapers, and even those in much larger cities, are huge. Like a lot of small businesses, rising costs from personnel to paper are affecting our once-strong bottom lines.

Still, I believe — and the new owner believes — that a community newspaper, publishing in both print and digital formats, can be done well.

I was expressing my bittersweet feelings about these changes and a move from here to a friend. He recounted his military and career moves and said this verse from Deuteronomy 1:6-7 gave him and his wife great comfort during their uncertain times. “The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance….’” This descendant of Scotsmen is grateful for his time here in the heart of the German Hill Country.

I’m sad to leave but look forward to a break from deadline-driven days. After some down time, we’ll go on to our next chapter. And I await whatever is on the next mountain.

If you’d like to reach out, please do so to my personal email at kenestencooke@gmail.com.