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Not so long ago, it was my daily routine to step out the side door of the newspaper office and make the walk up the alley to Wheeling's City-County Building.
As the city beat reporter in those days, I would visit the various floors of that center of city business on Chapline Street.
Each floor of the building held the offices that kept the city humming. From the water department to the city manager's office, from the city clerk's cubicle to the courtrooms, there were stories to be had.
But it took some doing to garner the trust of the folks who worked in those offices. I was fortunate to get to know some of the nicest people who worked there and who made my job a little easier each day.
Among the first to welcome me with literally open arms was Karen Grimes. Karen was the police chief's secretary and the nucleus of that department. She knew each and every officer by name. I believe she knew the law better than some of the legal eagles that found their way into the courtrooms.
To say she was a nice person would be an understatement. She never failed to ask about my family or take the time to help me with a difficult assignment. Karen served 47 years with the police department. She welcomed seven different police chiefs and saw 13 different city managers come and go.
When Karen fell ill and had to retire, the loss was felt by all who worked with her or knew her personally. Her recent untimely death also caught many by surprise.
What I do know is that her legacy is one without comparison.
Karen was part of the trio of ladies who each worked more than 50 years in their respective city departments.
These women -- Judy Rice and Barb Janetski -- shared a camaraderie with Karen and others in the building that was a story in itself.
I could not have been nearly as effective at my job without these three women. There were others, too, over the years, (Janice, Judy, Marilyn and Rita), but those three ladies were among the best.
Things have certainly changed since those decades of working in that building. However, the good memories will remain for every one of us who graced its front doors or punched the buttons for the slow ride up the elevators.
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.