By Amy Modesti
Over the past five years with The Eastwick Press, I have served as photographer, reporter, office assistant, sales advertisement representative, newspaper distributor, social media manager, and arts and music reporter. I’ve covered everything from arts and entertainment to swearing in ceremonies for the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department, ribbon cutting ceremonies for new businesses, high school commencements, holiday parades, and running races. You name it, I’ve covered it.
The achievements I am most proud of during my time here include having my solo exhibition at Eden Café mentioned in the paper, holding a peace torch from organizers of the Sri-Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, taking part in two art exhibitions at the Brunswick Community Library, assisting my coworkers in finding bands and gathering 50/50 raffle items for the Berkshire Bird Paradise fundraiser at our headquarters, volunteering my time at the mass food distribution at Grafton Lakes State Park, writing a piece to honor the life of musician and friend Josh Bloomfield, becoming a transitional clogger by the Hill Country Cloggers, meeting SouthPaw the Tri-City Valley Cat, covering my first Christmas parade and tree lighting in Lansingburgh, and being awarded a special certificate of appreciation from the office of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department.
I’ve learned so many things about Rensselaer County that I wouldn’t have had it not been for my involvement in The Eastwick Press. Those experiences I had in the field and my interactions with our community members helped shape me to become the person I am now. I don’t take those relationships and experiences for granted, and remain thankful for everyone.
However, time is ever-changing. I have accepted a full-time position elsewhere, and will soon take up responsibility on another creative endeavor that I accepted outside of my new position. I won’t be gone completely from The Eastwick Press, as I’ll remain on hand as Social Media Manager. I’m nervous but excited to take on these new roles, and am looking forward to new adventures in local journalism.
To our readers, subscribers, social media followers, clients and businesses I worked alongside, and to The Eastwick Press staff past and present, thank you so much for allowing me to tell my stories and capture all the great things that Rensselaer County has to offer. Thank you for your readership, friendship, and support you’ve provided to me for five years. Much love and best wishes to all. Thank You.
