May 9, 1990 I walked into this room for the first time. Looking back, time really does fly when you're having fun.

I know I had no idea when I walked into the KHAK studio for the first time that my life would never again be the same. I had been like so many other people in this business. KHAK was my fifth station in 2 1/2 years. I started in Independence, moved to Waterloo, switched stations in Waterloo, moved to Oklahoma, and then returned to my home state and have been blessed ever since.

I didn't have an extravagant plan when I walked in that day 25 years ago. I certainly never dreamed I'd fall in love with Cedar Rapids, with the station, and you... those that make what we do, worth doing.

Ah, the memories... good and horrible. I was on the air in April of '95 when the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building was bombed in Oklahoma City. I still remember the bulletin on the Associated Press wire describing reports of an explosion. None of us could ever dream the reality of what had happened and that things would never again be the same.

Six years later, I was sitting directly across from the studio when a listener called to say they'd just seen a plane crash into the World Trade Center on television. Working in the media that day is an absolute impossibility to describe.

I was in-studio describing the craziness of OJ Simpson's famed White Bronco chase and had to make the stunning announcement of the death of Michael Jackson.

The hardest thing I ever had to announce was the finding of two bodies in Bremer County... Evansdale youngsters Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins. The entire state had been so hopeful. I cried on the air that day. I continue to long for the day those responsible are found.

The day Brain and I had to share the passing of our friend and former co-worker Scott Steele was also very painful. He was an incredible man and remains an inspiration to so many.

There have been many laughs and tons of great moments over the years as well. I've gotten to know many of you and in some cases a second generation... yep, I've been here awhile.

A friend told me "Thank you for your love of K-Hawk Country." She's right... I really do love it. Thank YOU for 25 years of unbelievable memories. Here's to making many more in the years to come. Thankfully, I was still in diapers when I started so I'm not done yet.

More From 98.1 KHAK