Our last episode saw Daily Freeman-Journal Interim Editor Jane Curtis simultaneously move from the driver’s seat and, in a surprise development, be completely blindsided – in a good way – by those wily women of Beta Sigma Phi, the social, educational and service sorority. The local chapter, knowing her penchant for expressing an opinion, invited Curtis to speak at its April 24 Founder’s Day dinner.

The Woman of the Year award was a complete surprise.

Well, here’s another surprise: She’s back.

Which means I can move to the first-person tense here.

I am back.

Those of you who may wonder how I feel about that, let me assure you I still am honored to serve this community with a voice in this newspaper. I still recognize the continuing need to be a part of the local discussion. I know there are efforts here that need my wind beneath their wings.

Yes, there’s a bit of a joke in that.

But seriously? In my life I have learned that there is joy in service, if only you will embrace that perspective.

So let the joy continue.

The news here — which I hope is good news, give or take a handful of folks — is that not only am I back, David Borer is back. You will see ample evidence of that in today’s DFJ.

Borer and I are like-minded when it comes to community journalism. I hope you will welcome him when you see him, because if you attend local events you are likely to see him with his camera. David Borer truly cares about the people and events in this town. We are lucky to have him.

We are lucky, as well, to have other familiar contributors who help make this paper vital to the community: Lori Berglund, Hans Madsen, Arvid Huisman, Cindy Paschen, Angela Hewitt, Patrick Coons, and, when he has the urge, Bob Oliver.

Mike Eckers, with his new Our Neighborhood column, is a welcome addition to the above list. As is photographer Jodie Casey.

I look forward to welcoming more new voices to this historic community newspaper.

In case that’s too subtle: You’re invited.

Just so you know, Tyler Anderson left the DFJ for a sports position with the Carroll Times Herald. His first love is sports, so this is a terrific move for him.

Tyler, thank you for taking the wheel while I took a break.

I weeded my gardens this summer, which is something I have been promising-discussing-wishing-hoping-threatening to do for longer than I have room to explain.

Yes, garden weeding is a well-worn metaphor.

I did gain quite of collection of chigger and skeeter bites, so there’s that.

And now for the second season: Woman of the Year 2.0.

Let’s do this.

Jane Curtis is interim editor (again) of the Daily Freeman-Journal.