Warner Montgomery received the 2008 Journalist of the Year from ABOTA

Warner M. Montgomery has retired from The Columbia Star as publisher to pursue more dreams. After 20 years of service as a journalist and helping to bring the Star to new heights, Montgomery is taking a new route with his travel experiences and his knowledge of history. Between meetings with the Torch Club, the Explorers Club, the Rotary Club of Columbia, Loblolly Club, the Paul Redfern Aviation Society, the Dreher High School 39er's, and the Shepherd's Center of Columbia, Montgomery will be using his talent as a writer to create pages in books.

Montgomery is an award winning journalist receiving many awards from the South Carolina Press Association and the Order of the Silver Crescent, S.C.'s highest honor for volunteer and community service. Other awards include Journalist of the Year, 2004, for the SC Chapter of ABOTA and 2008 Journalist of the Year for the southeastern region of ABOTA; Sam Adams Award, 2004, from the S.C. Libertarian Party; the Flag Expedition Award, 2006, from the Explorers Club; the Superintendent's Award, 2002, Richland School District One; and Professor of the Year, 1970, from Ohio University.

Warner Montgomery with his wife Linda celebrated in New Orleans after Warner received ABOTA's 2008 Journalist of the Year.

Retirement to Montgomery is just a step to other adventures,one of which is farming on his and wife Linda's land in Horrell Hill. Hopefully, he will find a little time to relax in their cabin sitting on the porch watching birds fly over the pond and deer munch in the woods.

We at the Star will miss him but look forward to publishing and hearing about his new adventures.