While our current Evening Sun reporters are working to bring you our Progress Chenango 2009 special sections this week, I’ve asked five of my favorite ES alumni to fill in as guest columnists. I hope you enjoy catching up with them as much as I did. – Ed.

By Nicole Martinez

It’s funny how fast time flies. Nearly three years have gone by since I left The Evening Sun and Chenango County for Beantown, and so much has gone on in my life that I don’t even know where to begin. I’ve been through two layoffs (hooray for our ailing economy!) and my life has changed dramatically through the chronic illness of my boyfriend, Dennis. But through it all, I’m still pushing through, still smiling, and still rockin’ the Yankees hat. So it’s all good.

Fortunately, I have met many amazing people who have helped encourage me to pursue a freelance career, so I will always have something to fall back on. It was scary at first, but I’ve written press releases and helped update web content for local businesses, and I’m currently copyediting a book of poetry which will be published mid-year. And that’s how I’m doing in a nutshell (a very small one).

Now, on to Chenango County.

I read Jeff’s column earlier this month about how The Press & Sun Bulletin has shortened its paper, and I’m sure a cut in their staff came along with it. So what does this mean?

Probably less news about Chenango County coming from Broome.

Fortunately, the economy has been nicer to those in Chenango than in other places, so the news you need will continue to come from those who eat, sleep, breathe and live in Chenango County through The Evening Sun. What’s better than that?

And the Chenango United Way meets its goal!

It’s no secret that Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco and I have become very good friends since the start of my career at The Evening Sun in 2004, so it’s no surprise that I would mention this. But it’s not just because of how happy I am for her; I’m also happy for the county. It’s been years since they’ve been able to reach their goal, and finally, when it seems the economy is at its worst, the people of Chenango County came through to help those who really need it most. Congratulations to meeting that goal and I hope for continued success in the future.

So what’s next?

I hope that with the start of this New Year comes new hope for anyone who may be struggling through this hard economic time. As for me, well, I think it’s time for warmer weather. I’m a New York girl, so this crappy winter weather is nothing new to me, but hey, I’m turning 30 this year (yikes!) so my goal for 2009 is looking toward re-learning how to truly enjoy my life. And that includes being able to run outside and barbecue all year round.

And last but not least, I wanted to say thanks to Jeff and to you, the community, for letting me back into your lives for a day. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for you. And although I’ve moved on to a bigger city with more opportunities and more action, I will never forget where I came from and where my career started.

So as they say here in Boston, Cheers ... and Happy 2009!