KEMMERER — In an age when digital news is king, the old-fashioned charm of newspapers, complete with a smiling carrier, remains a beloved tradition in Kemmerer. At the heart of this quaint practice is Rebecca Ashliman, a remarkable young woman who has been brightening her community’s mornings for nearly two decades.

Rebecca’s journey with the Kemmerer Gazette began when she was just 9 years old. Born a micro-preemie at 23 weeks, weighing only one pound, and diagnosed with cerebral palsy and legal blindness, Rebecca’s start in life was fraught with challenges.

Her indomitable spirit, however, has shone through these obstacles and, for the past 17 years, she has been a dedicated carrier for the Kemmerer Gazette.

Now 26, Rebecca has become a fixture in the lives of her approximately 68 customers. Her mother, Cece Ashliman, who assists Rebecca with her routes, notes the strong connections Rebecca has built with her clients.

“Her customers love her,” Cece says. “If she misses a day, they check in on her, and they give her cards for the holidays.”

Rebecca’s dedication is such that, when she needs to take a day off, she leaves a personal note for her customers, signed, “Love Rebecca.”

This small gesture speaks volumes about the relationships she has nurtured over the years.

Despite the rarity of paper carriers in today’s world, Rebecca’s commitment to her job remains steadfast. Every Tuesday evening, she picks up the papers from the Gazette office. Cece, who also drives a school bus for the local district, humorously refers to herself as Rebecca’s “chauffeur” during their rounds on the paper route.

Delivering the paper is a family affair for the Ashliman family. When Cece is unavailable to drive Rebecca, her father, Corey, and sister, Cyndi, step in to help.

“It was always Rebecca’s project,” Corey said. “We wanted her to do the paper route to learn responsibility and work ethic and she learned that a long time ago, but she likes it so much she keeps doing it.”

Rebecca has indeed developed a strong work ethic and takes pride in being a diligent worker. In addition to her paper route, she also works at the school cafeteria.

“I’m a hard worker,” she said.

Rebecca said delivering the paper takes her about two hours each week. She shared that her favorite part of the job is making people smile. The toughest aspect for her is handling winter conditions.

She knows her paper route thoroughly and has formed friendships with her customers. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys playing with her sister’s mixed-breed Australian cattle dog, Dixon.

Delivering papers in the evening presents its own set of challenges, especially when dealing with dark driveways and impaired eyesight. Cece said it takes her daughter a bit longer to navigate unlit lawns, sidewalks and stairs but, with the aid of a headlamp and some patience, Rebecca manages to get the job done.

“She makes it work,” Cece said, adding that Rebecca wears glasses and can see clearly up to 20 yards.

The story of how Rebecca started her paper route is equally touching. It was her preschool teacher who initially suggested the job to her. Since then, Rebecca has embraced her role with steadfast dedication and enthusiasm.

In a time when news is often consumed online, Rebecca Ashliman’s enduring presence as a paper carrier is a reminder of the simple pleasures and personal connections that local newspapers can foster, especially in small communities. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the profound impact of genuine, human connections in our increasingly digital world.