After 12 years of providing Noxon's youth with free entertainment and a hangout headquarters, Diane Marich is closing the Lighthouse Center with a heavy heart.

"The kids have changed, and they just do not need it or want it anymore," Marich said with sadness. "I loved it and I am very grateful for those who supported it and let me be part of their kids' lives," but it is time for the center to become something else.

Although she has not heard of any future ideas for the building, Marich is individually selling all the equipment that made the center what it was. Arcade games and foosball, ping pong, pool, skee ball and air hockey tables are all being liquidated, as is the building that went on the market last October.

Some of the fondest memories Marich holds close are the times when she provided prom dinners to students, or when she held movie nights, a boy's night out for ages 8 to 16, and the New Year's All-Nighters. She provided a good, clean, fun and safe hang-out for kids in the area who needed something to do outside of their homes.

"I have worked with kids for over 30 years," Marich said. She has six children with her husband Nick, and she has been very active in providing Christian-based programs for youth. She will continue to direct an annual three-day, two-night Christian campout for youth ages 6-13 and will continue teaching bible school, now on her 10th year.

Taking a backseat will be the youth group that met every Sunday at the Lighthouse Center as did the eight-year running Sunshine Club she developed years ago which was an afterschool program in Noxon, giving students an opportunity to partake in friendship building and crafting.

"I cry every night," she commented about her decision to close the doors. "I thought about staying until the end of the school year," but it was hard for her to drive from Heron to Noxon every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to open the center and then have no one show up.

"Kids are our greatest treasure, invest in them...they really are our future. I will miss the kids," Marich commented.

As sad as it is for her, it is time to do what she needs to do. "My husband Nick is a logger and through his work the Lighthouse was kept open. Nick is a great supporter of me," she honored her husband. "He had many nights he had to make dinner for himself but never complained."

Prior to being the Lighthouse Center, the building served as Mike's Diner but sat vacant for three years before the Marich's remodeled. "We had to totally gut it out," Marich recalled, adding that there was water damage and the entire building got an overhaul, windows included. They also added a basketball court and sod to make the outside more appealing.

Even though building the center was an expense for Marich, it was an experience she does not regret for anything.