Over the last decade, my byline has made refrigerators, graduation boards, hall of fame showcases, been stuffed into fire pits and lined litter boxes – unintentionally and perhaps intentionally.
I’ve typed ‘Petoskey’ more than 25,000 times in a decade – yes, I keep track of everything – and published an average of right around 500 articles a year.
It’s been an honor to turn this corner of northern Michigan into my home.
I know I’ve had some loyal readers, along with others who would read about anything that makes the sports section. I thank you both.
That’s what this time of year is about, right? Reflecting on what we have, rather than what’s missing. While it’s a challenge in a shrinking newsroom, I have great support in an industry where that can be rare.
When it comes to my readers, however, I do play favorites. And before you jump in Boyne City and Charlevoix fans, I don’t mean it like that. Save that rivalry for another day.
I have an actual favorite reader: My grandmother, or Nana, as she’s better known.
Most of you know I didn’t actually grow up here despite being born in Petoskey. Family has been here my entire life, though, including my nana.
A 1955 graduate of Petoskey who grew up on Kalamazoo Street, she’s spent all of my life living in Indian River.
As you’d expect, I come from a pretty sports crazed family and Nana certainly helped in that. A fanatic of all things University of Michigan, the Detroit Tigers and anything competitive on TV that day. She’ll even watch my beloved Miami Hurricanes and text me during games.
It’s not hard to see how I ended up in this job.
But, the more I think about it, the more I realize I’ve come to love this job more because of her passion.
She of course grew up when the newspaper and the Petoskey News-Review was the only way to get the news. I’d be naive to believe it’s still the only way, but I do still believe it’s the best way. She certainly does, too.
She followed the likes of Jerry Rosevear, Andy Sneddon and Steve Foley before me. If you ask her, I’m probably her favorite. But I don’t know, Jerry’s tough to beat.
Nana still subscribes and anxiously awaits the paper meeting the mailbox each weekday.
I hear from her what seems to be weekly about articles written or photos taken. She keeps up on my work more than anyone.
But talk about pressure.
I can’t imagine there are many accountants, teachers and plumbers having their worked checked daily by their grandmother, but I’m just lucky I guess.
She knows when I might have an off day, with my byline missing or when times turn from busy to slow.
What she doesn’t know is I think of her often when I finish a piece I’m fond of, hoping she’ll enjoy it. I usually find out in a text or call about it or she’ll show me the article saved to show friends or family.
How lucky am I to have that kind of support for my job? I’m certainly thankful.
It’s rare that I ever actually hear from anyone I write about and that’s certainly not necessary, though I do love to hear she enjoyed an article on a local athlete.
I don’t want to waste anyone’s time reading, especially my nana’s.
I didn’t know this is what I’d end up doing, in a place that’s always felt like home, but there’s a chance I was pulled to.
When you walk into her house you’ll find a typed letter, framed and hanging on the wall. At the top is a title: ‘Nana’s House’.
Since my high school years, it’s hung in the same spot. Though, I didn’t write it. My brother, Ryan, had the honors of describing all things that make being at our nana’s house special.
‘Nana’s House’ is part brilliant and beautiful and another part torture for the rest of us who were beat to the punch. Well played, Ryan.
Of all the places my byline has been, perhaps I’ve always been chasing my own spot on that wall. I couldn’t tell you to be honest. I know I’m fine without it.
What I’m most thankful for is just having the love, support and a loyal reader like you, Nana.
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny
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