You’re invited to join the staff of The Meadville Tribune as we honor Jane Smith and Jean Shanley, who are retiring after a combined total of nearly 90 years covering our community.

An open-to-the-public reception for the twins is set for 2 to 5 p.m. Friday at the Tribune. Light refreshments will be served and the public is invited to visit and share retirement well-wishes.

Jean began work at the Tribune in June 1961 and later recruited her sister, Jane Smith, to join the paper as well.

While Jean is probably best-known for her feature stories and columns, she was the first woman sports reporter in the Tribune’s history.

Over the years, Jean has received several recognitions. One of the highlights came in 2003, when her story on a Cochranton couple who passed away on the same day was included in a book of heart-touching stories titled “Chicken Soup for the Romantic Soul.” In 1997, she was honored by the State Correctional Institution at Cambridge Springs as volunteer of the year for her work with inmates who have lost children or who are dealing with grief. She is also a longtime volunteer with the Compassionate Friends support group.

Jane began work at the Tribune in June 1970. Most recently she specialized in county government, politics and elections but she has also covered city government and school boards. Jane was one of the first people to spend the night in the new Crawford County jail (for a news story, of course).

She taught writing at the YMCA and is also a longtime volunteer leader with the Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society.

Jane and Jean co-received the Elks Citizen of the Year Award in 1997. The Elks got both to attend the award by telling the other that she should convince her sister to come because she was to be surprised with the award.

Beyond their reporting duties, the sisters are well-known and regarded as excellent teachers. During their time at the Tribune, they’ve helped future generations of reporters by serving as mentors and advisers.