When I accepted the reporter position at the newspaper, I thought I would work there for the rest of my life. In addition to covering news, local issues, and events, I wrote a weekly column, "Reporter's Reflections," which allowed me to give comment and opinions on the news stories I had written. I was younger then, and I thought my "schooling" had provided me the knowledge I needed to manage the job. My first year taught me otherwise. This collection of reflections from my first year will provide some entertainment, but also a glimpse into what the life of a new reporter covering small-town life is like.