Hot damn! I just edited my last article for the Sun Star!

It's funny: I can't wait for it to be over, but I know I'll miss this.

Thanks to layout magician Amber Wilson who was glued to a chair at the computer for as long as 15 hours in a night. Ms. Wilson, you sure got that paper laid, and without your wizardry and calm demeanor, none of the past 28 issues would have been possible. Thanks for being so quiet and reliable, and thanks for all the sodas too.

The paper got its inside look from Ms. Wilson, but Photo Editor John Wagner gave the paper a fresh look on the outside. Besides playing more ACDC than a body can handle, Wagner produced a unique cover every week, shot photos of many an event, and he acted as a role model for the other photographers. What can I say Johnny Wags, we sure had a fun time didn't we?

Laughs are cheap at the Sun Star, as our resident comic genius and distribution guy Alex Grantham can tell you. But some of the best jokes I heard came from Katie Adlam, the ad manager and the only woman whom I consider to be the Sun Star's mother. Besides raking in advertising money, Katie has a sense of humor that, well, kind of makes me want to throw up in my mouth. Just a little. We went through a lot Kate, and here we are at the end of the road. Jupiter says thanks for all the love and treats.

News hounds Nate Raymond and Matt Emmons gave the paper its hard-hitting edge, and I thank both of them for their dedication and hard work. Digging up news at UAF can be tricky business, especially when the university tells its employees they can't talk to the press, but Emmons and Raymond brought us the facts each week, no matter how late the night or how boring the meeting. Nate, you also did a great job on the website, it's exactly what I wanted and more.

Another workhorse, Lacie Grosvold, came through each week too. Lacie Jo went from being the timid, softspoken freelancer last year, to a staff reporter this year, and after gently bugging me about it for a while, she took on the responsibility of Arts and Entertainment Editor. You've come a long way from Anaconda, Montana, but it looks to me like you've found your calling here in the AK. Keep on writing.

Photographers Kay Koerner, Nicolette Sauro, Mike Ward, Nina Schwinghammer and Luisa Sondie rounded out this year's crew nicely. Not once did these shutterbugs balk from an assignment, and more often than not, they exceeded expectations. Keep on shooting guys; you've got the drive and the talent to make it in this world, whatever you do.

Most of all, thanks to the readers, our reason for being. Whether we received complaints or kudos, we were reaching people, and that's what really matters. We never shied away from controversy, and I think people can respect that in itself, and besides, it's no guts no glory, right?

Now it's over, and I can go home. I find myself dragging my feet: I'm already starting to miss this gig and the people who made it possible. Thanks guys.

P.S. We'll be having a Sun Star potlatch barbecue at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 6 in front of the Wood Center for anyone interested. Bring food and we'll provide the entertainment (Wagner's got all these My Little Ponies; should be a good time).