In my first by-line in this newspaper, my name was misspelled ? of my own doing.
In my first few months as editor, our masthead informed readers that we were, in fact: ‘Orion’s oldest, must trusted business.?
Did you see my previous mugshot? Or this one?
The point is, I’ve been far from perfect as editor of this paper the past couple of years, but I hope we’ve gotten a few things right along the way.
On a tip from a favorite writer of mine, I made a conscious effort never to start a column or story with ‘I.? This paper is about you, and occasionally we or us.
It’s about community events, meetings, milestones and games, and I’ve been to my fair share.
Now I’m off to try something new, though I can promise you it will be nothing like working where living is like a vacation.
I’ve loved this job and this community, so while I’m leaving, I won’t be going away.
Two years ago, I encouraged you to come in, call or e-mail us your stories. You responded. Now I’m encouraging you to do the same for the new guy, John Counts, who will step in and do a great job. I’d tell you to ‘count on it,? but after two years of reading this column, you probably knew that was coming.
One thing I came to count on were great ideas from you. Spectacular sporting events and state champions. Lively (and often long) government meetings. Well-attended community events at historic places. You get the idea.
Our front office staff of Jody Osborn and Sally Walter kept us on our toes. And Cathy Kimmel worked tirelessly covering the schools and more ? so much that she decided to become a teacher herself. To all of them, I am truly grateful.
I also extend my appreciation to Sue Mick, our loyal proofreader who caught more mistakes than I care to share, as well as all of the Sherman Publications staff in Oxford, who help produce this paper each week without fail and allowed us to try some wacky things like podcasts and the production of a weekly news show for ONTV. I particularly want to thank my friends, family and fianc’e, Kate, who put up with late dinners and missed dates as result, yet always found time to read the paper.
To all of the friends I’ve made here in Orion and to all of you that thought enough of this paper to bring it into your home and make it part of your family each week, this is Colin Bobgarder (or something like that) saying ‘thank you.?