As of Jan. 15, visitors to the Elmira Independent office will be missing a familiar face.
Carol Heimpel, who has been a part of the Independent team for 27 years, is retiring this week.
She will be missed.
Heimpel does everything from coordinate newspaper carriers to taking classified ads from customers — always with a smile on her face.
She began in the newspaper business after being hired by former editor and owner Bob Verdun.
Her original duties were to simply deal with the accounts receivable, using handwritten ledgers to keep track of accounts.
When it came time to issue statements, Heimpel would use an electric typewriter brought from home to type of the invoices, since the only typewriter found in the office was a manual one.
She started out slowly, covering a sick leave for Gladys Drudge, who was fighting cancer at the time.
When Drudge’s illness returned, Heimpel came back to work half days until Drudge could no longer work.
Heimpel was offered the job, and she has been a fixture of the Elmira Independent office ever since.
“There have been many changes to the way they do the paper,” said Heimpel, who remembers when computers first came into the office many years ago.
“Once they got computers, I thought, ‘here I go,’” said Heimpel, who feared losing her job, since she didn’t know how to use one.
Verdun, however, walked her through it step by step, and she learned how to use the new system.
Her role at the Independent has also changed, as she has taken on more responsibility in a number of areas, including classified ads, helping customers who come through the doors, and even typing up letters to the editor that still come in the old-fashioned way — by fax or mail.
“My days are filled,” said Heimpel.
Mark Champagne, general manager of the Independent, said that while he hasn’t known Heimpel for long, he knows she will be missed.
“It was a rainy day when I first got to know Carol ... a little bit. The paper’s anniversary celebration was in full gear as were the torrential rains and hurricane force winds,” said Champagne. “No one was dry — including Carol, but there she was with a big smile on her face serving clients, subscribers and well wishers alike. I could see that Carol really enjoyed her job, whether it was chasing money or chatting with locals.”
Ruth Ann Westover, former sales manager at the Elmira Independent, had this to share:
“‘Carol, do you know...’ No matter what followed, whether it be where something was filed, where office supplies were kept, or who was the contact person, Carol usually had the answer right away,” said Westover. “Years of experience and a wealth of information were readily shared with anyone who asked. Two of Carol’s traits that I most admire are her love of and pride in her family, and her loyalty to her employer and co-workers.
“I hope she enjoys her retirement; she deserves it.”
Heimpel said she has no immediate plans for her retirement.
“I’ve got a list of knitting projects to do,” said Heimpel. “I’ve also got some things at home to do, and I’ll probably look for some part-time work in the future.”
In the meantime, Heimpel is looking forward to her retirement, although she knows that she will miss being at the office.
“It’s going to be hard to turn work stuff off,” said Heimpel, who admits to thinking about the Independent, even when she is on holidays. “I’ll do the best I can.”
A celebration lunch is planned for Heimpel on Thursday, Jan. 14, her last day. The Elmira Independent office will be closed from noon to 1:30 p.m. to accommodate the celebration.