Often when one leaves an area where they have lived for a number of years it is unusual for them to return. So it was with mixed feelings that I returned to the Oxford Hills after a two-year absence.

I am so glad I have. In addition to making my “heart grow fonder,” the time away has given me an opportunity to see the area with a much clearer vision.

Wow.

Oxford is busy building a sewer treatment plant and hotel. The modular home business seems to be healthy and business at the new fireworks store was booming! The new Applebees’ parking lot is filled all the time. Sadly, though, the movie theater is no more. It will be missed.

Paris has added some lovely boutique shops, a new Family Dollar Store and other new businesses.

Norway has changed the most I think. Just driving down Main Street caused my jaw to drop. 

Store fronts are filled and shops are bustling. Outdoor concerts send beautiful musical notes tripping down the block. Farmers sell fresh produce up and down the street. Folks drift by on lime green bikes with bright orange baskets…bikes that are there for anyone to borrow for an hour or so. 

Up and down Main Street are large wooden planter boxes filled with a luscious array of vegetables, herbs, greens and flowers waiting for residents to help themselves.

The library is busy, artists exhibit and work in various locations on the street, restaurants are filled with chatter and luscious aromas and the town as a whole is warm and welcoming.

And on a professional level, I am fortunate to be able to go back to a job I love here at the newspaper. Further, I have a team of top notch professionals to work with – Leslie Dixon, a seasoned journalist with so much experience and wisdom; Erin Place, an exceptional writer and recent award winning journalist and Monica Jerkins, another experienced reporter who has recently joined the staff of the Sun Media Group.

And let me not forget Pat Crowder the face and voice of our office who knows the answer to just about every problem both in and out of the office; Larry Baril and Lindsey Montana who handle advertising with grace and aplomb and Larry Crocker who can sort a delivery problem in an instant. Last, but far from least, Lisa McCann, designer extraordinaire who always manages to make the paper interesting and readable.

Boy am I glad to be back.