A newsperson is often one that others stay away from, the one that tells the truth when some people wish to keep it hidden, one who’s there asking questions and clicking a camera, waiting for information, butting in.

Here in Pea Ridge, it’s nice to know that local news coverage is still appreciated by members of the community, and local news people returning after being gone can also be welcomed back.

I have taken on the task of doing Annette Beard’s job for a short time. I am flattered (and exhausted) to be trusted with such a responsibility. Though I have not been gone long, it’s reassuring to hear a “We’re glad to see you back,” upon showing up ata meeting or an Easter egg hunt or just in the high school.

I don’t have nine children to constantly think about; I don’t have any children actually.

I do things like go on ridiculously long runs, jump off cliffs with snow skis on and leave town at the spur of the moment to go see a concert.

I once considered putting my hair in dreadlocks (then, thankfully, decided against it).

This is the first newspaper I have ever worked for. I am a creative writer by education: Formerly trained to make stuff up, or to write about my life’s adventures.

My point is that, obviously, I am very different than the one who normally occupies this chair for hours late into the night.

But I hope I can still make it work anyway.

I did my best to soak in all the knowledge I could in my time here previously; I have had an excellent teacher who wishes only to serve the community and provide the kind of journalism that keeps the people informed of things they don’t know that they don’t know.

Family is important to her, though she never gets to brag on hers. To her, and other people inthis business, telling the truth about things is not a choice, but just the way it goes.

If I can fill her seat for these few weeks and attempt to work as hard as she does, the community will still get their news.

They will still see faces of those they know on the pages of our little paper, still hear about things that impact their lives as Pea Ridge residents.

But bear with me - I’m still learning every day.

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Editor’s note: Cassi Lapp is the former news clerk/staff writer of The Times of Northeast Benton County. A Colorado native, Lapp graduated from the University of Arkansas. She can be reached at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 4 on 05/04/2011