QUILCENE – After more than 10 years in print, Walker Mtn News has fired up the presses for the last time.
Well, probably.
Shona Davis, editor and owner of the Quilcene-based monthly newspaper, parenthetically mentioned in a farewell address on the front page of this month’s edition that either the June or July paper will be her last.
“I wish I could say I was going out with a ‘bang,’ but it’s more like a ‘pop’ as I have clearly run out of ideas and the energy to continue with this endeavor,” Davis wrote.
She admits that, while writing these words, tears streamed down her face.
That was despite her having mentally written similar farewell notes before, at year five, for instance, never really believing she would publish for this long.
Many people in Quilcene, Brinnon and surrounding areas – about 2,500 every month – have come to consider Walker Mtn News a staple of the community and read it loyally.
Davis does not turn a blind eye to this.
“My biggest fear is that I’m disappointing a lot of people,” she said.
“They look forward to the paper every month.”
But they may not have to wait too long to again read local stories by Davis.
Her next writing endeavor will be a full-length book, she said.
She’s already picked a title: Tales from the Mountain.
Much of its content will take form as compiled articles that have appeared in Walker Mtn News.
In some cases, Davis will publish some articles she thought inappropriate for Walker Mtn News.
For example, a poem addressed to an at-large murderer who killed a Quilcene girl some years ago.
And those who really can’t get enough of the paper can find every past issue at the Quilcene Historical Museum, 151 E. Columbia St.
Davis, 43, never planned to wear the hat of newspaper editor and owner.
Jerry Welch, a regular contributor and former partner, told her more than 10 years ago that he wanted to start a community paper and asked if she would help him.
“It was to be a positive paper, a way for South County businesses to advertise in the paper,” Davis said.
“At that time there was a lot of negative stuff about Quilcene.
“We decided we didn’t want to report on negative stuff.”
The pages of Walker Mtn News were sometimes inhabited by space aliens or giant slugs, but often her family members found their way in print.
She eventually bought Welch’s half-ownership for $400.
Since then, Davis has come to consider the paper as a sixth child.
She has five children, ranging in age from 6 to 25 years old.
Some people have asked if she’ll sell the paper now that she’s no longer going to put it out.
Her response: “I wouldn’t sell one of my kids.”
Even though she’s shedding her responsibilities at the newspaper, she won’t be sitting around twiddling her thumbs.
She’ll stay busy as a director on the Quilcene School Board, owner of Cruizin’ 101 Cafe, and accountant for her husband Loren’s masonry business, Davis Masonry, as well as continuing perhaps the most time consuming role of all: mother.
While holding the last – or second to last – edition of Walker Mtn News, Davis said, “It’s kind of like my baby,” Davis said, and put June’s issue down on the table.
