Over and out, after four decades

This paper is a special one for me.  After 40 years and about 875 issues, it’s the last time I will see my name on the masthead. I am retiring on March 31 from what has been the best job in the world.

While it hasn’t been as dramatic as choosing a new pope, the board and staff began planning an orderly succession three years ago as employees approached what used to be called retirement age.

Editor Carole Stimmell was the first to take the plunge at the end of 2011. Our former photographer/journalist Jon Muldoon came back from BC to take over.

Our ad manager Dianne Marquardt left in Sept. 2012. After attempts to replace the almost irreplaceable Dianne, we have just hired Paris Quinn, whom many of you know as chair of Kew Cottage and from her Rotary activities.

So now it’s 2013, and it’s my turn. I am leaving in great spirits because the role of general manager will be in good hands. Phil Lameira, our photographer/journalist, is taking over on April 1.  Andrew Hudson will be filling Phil’s old spot.

If anyone wants to drop by the office to say goodbye, I will be around until the end of April, completing a couple of projects.

And then I will find out if what retired people say is true – that they could never again fit work into their busy lives.