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A new role for a lifelong Western New Yorker

Fri, Jun 19th 2015 05:10 pm

By Jill Keppeler

They say that change is the only constant in life.

Some for the better. Some for worse. But constant it is, and the only good way to deal with it is to roll with it.

Hi. I'm Jill Keppeler, and I'm the new editor of the Niagara-Wheatfield/North Tonawanda Tribune. You might have seen my name before in various other publications in Western New York. I've worked in journalism in the area for 18 years, during which I've covered communities in six of WNY's eight counties (and lived in four for them).

It all started because I like to tell stories.

No, really. When I was 6, I was the proud owner of a small green notebook full of meticulously written and illustrated stories. Sure, most of them were about anthropomorphic animals, but I figure it was the effort that counted. I was 6, after all.

I continued writing stories. (Although I grew out of the animal ones. Mostly.) One day, a school advisor pointed out to me that journalism was just telling true stories ... and there might actually be a job in it. I haven't looked back since.

Over the past 18 years, I've written about artists and musicians, festivals and museums and schools. I've interviewed politicians and kindergartners and business owners. I hope that I have, in some small way, been able to do some good with the words I've written.

Everyone has a story. It is my honor, and my privilege, to be able to tell them.

As passionate as I am about stories, I'm also passionate about Western New York. I grew up in Cattaraugus County (and graduated from St. Bonaventure University), but I've also lived in Genesee, Niagara and Erie counties. I've loved them all in their own way, as I have the communities I've covered along the way.

My husband and I are raising our children here. On any given weekend, my family is out and about in Western New York. We go to its festivals, we patronize its restaurants and its shops. We know its problems; we love its strengths.

And I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather call home.

I've seen a lot of change lately, and so has the Tribune. I think we'll be a good fit.

You can reach me at 716-773-7676, ext. 113, or [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you.

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