As the year winds down, I'm thinking of the help we've received in putting the Humboldt Beacon together week after week. In no small way, these people have acted as Eel River valley's eyes and ears, gratefully acknowledging that this help is not taken for granted. Received from a diverse and loyal bunch of photographers and writers, freelancers (or “stringers” as we call them in the trade), contribute between 75 to 80 percent of the Beacon's content.

So now seems like a good time to say “thanks” to all those who contributed something to the Humboldt Beacon. Not in any particular order, I'd like give thanks to Mary Lentz for local author stories, Claudia Nelson for people profiles, Mary Bullwinkle for special events, John Lane for Rio Dell news, Guy Smith for fishing articles, Beti Trauth for arts reviews, Merlin Anderson for photos and captions, Penny Elsebusch for her “At the Races” column, Sylvia Jutila for her coverage of Fortuna City Council meetings, Meryl King for senior news, Joe Friedman for arts previews, Debbie Barcelles for photos, Jean Murray for local history stories, Sharon Latour for “Pastor's Perspective, Shannon Sigler for FUHS news, Alice Oliphant for FUHS news, Rebecca Kimbel for her weekly column, Delores Reeves for her mortgage tips, Brandon Stockman for his sage financial advice, and Mark Lourenzo for youth sports.

A number of “unofficial” contributors need to be mentioned as well. These include school districts, service organizations, and non-profits. Thanks go to Dianna Crow of FBID for news items concerning Fortuna business and special events, Mark Reid of Sequoia Springs Assisting Living, Paul DeMark of College of the Redwoods, Pam Halstead of FUHS, Janice Sams, Christina Boone of Fortuna Parks and Recreation, Jeffrey Smoller of Making Headway, Kay Chapman of S. Fortuna Elementary School news, Sal Steinberg of Loleta Elementary, Paul Meyers of Ferndale Elementary, Ellie Mahouski of St. Francis Episcopal Church, and Debbie Reynolds of the River Lodge Conference Center in Fortuna. With all of these names, I'm sure I left at least one name out. My apologies to whoever that may be. A special thanks also goes to our loyal advertisers.

As always, the plan of the Beacon is to gather news from every outpost in the Eel River valley area - not only the area from Loleta to Garberville, but going east toward Bridgeville on Highway 36. So reporters in the far outback are encouraged to contact us.