I’ll start this column in a similar way I began one in January 2006 after being named the Mirror’s managing editor: “I’m winding up the first week of the rest of my life.”

Today, 18.5 years later, is the first day of the rest of my life.

But I guess we can all say that, right?

You may have seen the June 15 story that I’m retiring as managing editor and will be succeeded by Holly Claycomb, our news editor whom I could not recommend more highly.

We’ve worked together for the internal succession to be smooth, and the

Mirror’s 150th anniversary edition marked a public indication of the skill and leadership Holly provides.

Inside the Mirror, though, we’ve known all along.

The good news for me, and hopefully you, is that I’m planning to continue writing, mainly about sports — Penn State football and other topics as warranted — and being part of the Mirror’s community initiatives — 20 Under 40 (feel free to start nominations early), the Mirror Athlete of the Year and Mirror Basketball Classic.

I still have my keys to the Mirror helicopter for occasional trips — although the price of gas is a factor — and, yes, I’ll remain heavily involved with the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame.

So, when my wife Dianne says, “He’s not really retiring,” she’s right. (Of course).

Newspapers are all about routine, and even though I will be around, in the community and less frequently in the newsroom, I’m realizing my routine is changing significantly.

For the first time since arriving at the Mirror in November of 1978 — just in time for the Penn State-Pitt game, and Herb Werner handed me a press pass — I won’t be coming to the office daily.

And that’s a bit of transitional shock.

As I made the scenic drive up Cayuga Avenue to the Mirror each day this past week — making a wide swing around the parking lot to take it all in — I felt a surreal sensation, thinking back to the old Green Avenue days and countless colleagues and memories.

So please indulge me for a few credits.

To the Slep, Holtzinger and Nutting families; to Ed Kruger, Ray Eckenrode, Steve Carpenter and Holly.

To Tom Klevan, who hired me, and my old pals Dave Cuzzolina and the late Tom Gibb.

To Herb and Jim Lane for their patience and encouragement, to so many role models and friends on our great current staff — veteran reporters Phil Ray and Kay Stephens, Bill Kibler, Walt Frank and Patt Keith and now all our talented up-and-comers, to our excellent sports staff, anchored by Buck Frank, Scott Franco, Mike Boytim and John Hartsock. Toss in contributions from Andy Stine and Dan Isenberg and their award-winning high school football preview video.

We, and the community, are also blessed with unsung heroes like Brenda Carberry, Patrick Waksmunski, our obit staff, graphic artist Nick Anna and a late-night copy desk that is wise, as in Cindy Wise & Co., beyond its years.

While remote access, flexibility and laptops (many years ago, I mistakenly called it a labtop), have created a whole new work world, relationships and interactions — inside and outside the office — are still best done face-to-face.

And so is community journalism.

Through industry changes, we’re proud that we’ve persevered to still put out a quality product six days a week that is both thorough and fair, one that covers the good and unfortunately the bad.

Over nearly a half-century, I’ve spoken to many of you — about news, sports, fielded concerns about delivery, our TV Mirror or, my personal favorite, our cartoon choices — and have valued the interaction, readership and friendship.

We all have. So thank you, and may God bless.

But, as Dianne says, “He’s not really retiring.”

Rudel can (still) be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.