Shau Marie Miller 2007

MEET THE THORP COURIER’S NEW REPORTER

Hello Thorp, I am the new face around town. Bugging you with questions and wanting to know what is happening in the area is my job, because I am the new reporter for the Thorp Courier.  My name is Shau Marie Miller.

I used to live off Hwy H near Stanley when I was in grade school.  I now live in the country near Holcombe in the Town of Ruby.  I have not lived in this area for many years so I have been busy seeing old sights and being awed by all the new ones.

My husband and I own almost 40 acres of land on which I raise a few beef, chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons and rabbits to keep me busy.  Our farm hands are Oscar (Welsh Pembroke Corgi) and Tipper (Border collie cross), two spirited dogs who love to play with the calves, chase squirrels and make my life interesting.

My children have moved out of the house and have begun their own lives.  While this is difficult it allows me to pursue a dream I have had for many years.  No more reading my stories to the cows and chickens or making up fairy tales on the swing set.  You poor people are the outlet to my stories now.  I have a broad range of interests and so I hope to touch on something to interest everyone.

Our daughter Jessica lives in Menomonie and is one of the kindest gentle people I have ever met.  Jessi as I call her earned her degree as an Administrative Assistant and works for Menards in Eau Claire.  At the young age of 22 she has put herself through school, purchased a new car and always makes time for her family.  She has had some rough times in her life, but she never lets it affect her love of people.

Jason, my son, is living in Milwaukee with his wife Michelle.  He is a Sergeant with the Army and spent over a year in Iraq.  In Milwaukee he works as an Engineer, a degree he earned by putting himself through school.  He will be 27 years old in a couple of days, and not being able to be there just emphasizes the physical distance between us.

I have been with my husband for almost twenty years and life has never been boring.  I received two beautiful step-children when we married, however I dropped the step part long ago. Never able to carry a pregnancy to term, I feel very blessed to have my son and daughter in my life.  Being a mother is something I could never have been without them.  I would like very much to adopt in the coming years, but just want to focus on my work for right now.

I have been writing for many years, however I have not written for a newspaper before, so the experience is exciting and new for me.  For the last several years I have been a volunteer for people suffering from chronic illness.  I have specialized in the area of Multiple Sclerosis, having myself been diagnosed in 1997.  Due to a program I am on, I have been in remission for almost four years.  I dearly love volunteering and I discovered that it was the most rewarding experience I have had in my life.  Pay does not always come in check form.  I have done public speaking and facilitated workshops, meeting so many different and interesting people along the way.  It is a part of my life that I will never turn my back on and I know I will continue to be a volunteer.

My basic philosophy has been to look at the positive side of things.  I firmly believe how truly important adapting this attitude is.  The way I see it is when faced with a problem, we have two choices, submit and fall back or smile and push through it.  Of course, it is natural to fall back at first, but then you regain your strength and determination.  This is an important lesson I have learned about life.

My hope for this paper is to continue the excellence you have become used to with past reporters.  Of course, as I expressed earlier, I am just beginning.  Please be patient and know that I am always willing to listen to reader’s thoughts and idea.  No suggestion will be dismissed by me without weighing it carefully.  This is a community and it is my goal to have my writing reflect that theme.

I personally have a deep love for books, gardening, cooking, animals and people, just to name a few.  I feel as if my interests are well reflected in this community.  Already I have met so many wonderful community members.  People have been welcoming and kind.  I look forward to meeting more of you as time goes on.

The paper has given me a chance to be a part of your community.  I hope you feel that you can come to or contact me as needed.  I can be reached at the paper at (715)669-5525 or my cell phone is 715-403-1493.

I welcome your stories, topics of interest to the community or just to say hello.

Thank you, Shau Marie Miller