Time is a strange dimension. It goes slow; it goes fast; it stands still. It holds memories of the past, hopes of the future, and the realities of right now. So time has touched Broad Ripple, and time has affected this special newspaper and more realistically my writing for the Gazette. I have written over three hundred and fifty columns. My topics meandered over my backyard themes of gardening, herbs, birdfeeding, dogs and cats, and musings on growing up in the area. This fifteen year run has been fun and has taught me a few lessons:

- Being able to write for readers has been a gratifying experience-fulfillment.

- For years my editor was my sister. She lived in Minneapolis, and we shot emails back and forth to the meet the bimonthly deadlines. I needed to continually check my spelling and omitted words-discipline, sharing and not taking criticism personally!

- Alan Hague as editor/publisher did not express a personal view point or ask his writers to submit biased work. He gave many writers a place to voice their thoughts-gratitude.

- I found out I could come up with hundreds of ideas to share with readers. And, I also had to meet a deadline-tenacity, creativity, and dependability.

- I had to stretch to write for a reader and not just myself, nothing too personal or controversial-other-centered and attempts to be inspirational and positive.

- I got to develop my ideas into a message that had a beginning, a middle, and a positive thought-opportunity to write.

I will miss the touch of the newspaper. I will miss Alan popping in every two weeks with "words hot off the press." But I am also reckoning with this time of change. My memories of Broad Ripple are strong. It was once a quaint village of commerce that ebbed and flowed with the vibrancy of the outside economy. In the past it offered so many different kinds of retail stores, groceries, five and dimes, gas stations, movie theater, department stores, car dealership, a myriad of churches, fire station, bakeries, cafeterias, dress shops and tailors, beauty shops and doctor and dentist offices.

Time and the realities of today are changing Broad Ripple. Some people like the change, some don't. People new to the village have no anchor in the past and probably see the growth as vibrancy and hope. Some old timers probably are shaking their heads in wonder as the change is drastically altering the skyline and culture of old Broad Ripple.

As a final thought, if the founders came back today, they would never recognized the Village. BUT, every decade that has settled in the village develops a fierce loyalty to the ripples of the White River. The people in these decades make of the area what they need to meet their lifestyle. I am hopeful that Broad Ripple continues to live the values of the early settlers and hold the Village as a special place to live, love, and gather.

This is a sign off article. I will occasionally drop Alan a column for the online editions. I am optimistic all of you will continue to enjoy your backyards, feed your birds, care for the urban wildlife, garden, look up and wonder. Finally, take care of your pets, your families and neighbors. Be kind and take care of the village. Period.

-Brandt Carter