Herald Editor Moving On

Famously, it's not always easy to say goodbye. In my personal life, specifically with my family, I often try to do the "Irish Goodbye," to some extent (for those unfamiliar, an Irish Goodbye is leaving without saying goodbye). I do always say goodbye to my mom and dad and I like to kiss my nieces' and nephews' heads before I go, but it takes a lot for me to announce to the room "I am now leaving."

This is likely because I'll see them again soon. Usually within the next day.

Sadly, this isn't the case here. I'm leaving with no knowledge of when I'll see or talk to the people I have met here. I can't do an Irish Goodbye. For many reasons, I must write this article and let the Herald's readers know that I, the Herald's editor for almost three years, am leaving:

• Where will readers send their news tips, their stories, their photos and reunions and calendar items? Please send everything to [email protected] until instructed otherwise.

• Who will replace you as the new editor? For now, Publisher and Co-Owner Allan Bassler will assume my duties, with the help of the Herald's new and incredibly sharp reporter, Cati Keith.

• Where are you going? I'm headed to my hometown of Altoona to take on a new role in a new field, which leads to an obvious question.

• Why?

Just as there are many reasons to announce my departure, there are many reasons for the departure in the first place.

I love this paper very dearly. The people I have had the fortune to connect with through the Herald know how passionate I am about this community newspaper, how much I love the work and the people. That has not wavered one inch in my time here.

However, I feel my focus has shifted from my own future to the paper's future.

Moving on musings

While my home life has flourished with buying a house, marrying my favorite person and spending most of my free time with my family, I have begun to wonder what else is out there for my professional life.

Almost five years after graduating from college, the only career I have ever considered for myself is editing. In college, my main path was always editing, but I'd veer off every so often to explore something else. My advisor always reminded me that though people may question the validity and purpose of an English degree, I would not be pigeon-holed to one career. I would have a foundation of knowing how to write and communicate, and I could be taught anything else.

I've pigeon-holed myself for the last few years. I have convinced myself that I can only be an editor because that's all I have been.

This is very silly because I'm 27 and I have a lot of time to figure out what I want to be, and I have a feeling I'll want to be many things.

Throughout the last year, I have considered my interests and passions, parts of my brain that I haven't been able to utilize, skills that have been lying dormant or unused, not by fault of the paper, but by the nature of any job.

I knew what I wanted to take with me if I left: community involvement, creating something for others to enjoy, running projects.

I began to casually look into event planning, as I felt my own interests and passions would flourish and - in my eyes - event coordinating mirrored my role now.

I know every lesson I learned at the Morrisons Cove Herald will come with me to the Casino at Lakemont, where, starting this month I will be an event coordinator.

Heavy-hearted goodbye

The Herald has taught me about journalism, but what I've learned here goes beyond the obvious. I learned about communities, businesses, how to work with others. I overcame my irrational fears of talking on the phone. I went to municipal meetings and followed elections and and learned a little bit about everything. I worked with many kind, funny and genuine people who always wanted to help and never wanted to see me in distress. I have been taught and trusted and rewarded and recognized, and I have appreciated every moment.

That is the main reason why I can't Irish Goodbye. I can't leave without a word because how would the Herald staff know how much they have meant to me? How will the readers know how much I loved to hear from them?

How can I not say goodbye to a community that has treated me so kindly, like I was one of their own?

That's also what makes this goodbye so hard. Though I'm typing it here, over and over, I know there are many people I will not get to say goodbye to. People will call and ask for me or send me an email or letter, only to find out that I am no longer here. Some I only hear from once or twice a year, but I look forward to our phone calls or visits. This is what leaves my heart so heavy.

Spokesman of the Cove

The Herald is a very special place and a very special thing. It has been around longer than any of us and has a rich history of serving the Cove.

In my time here, I hope I have contributed well to this history. Though the goodbye isn't easy, I'm leaving the Herald incredibly proud of the work I have done with this team.

I believe, with the community support through advertising and subscriptions, that the Herald has a long future ahead, made possible by those who work hard every day to produce the best product possible.

The Jan. 11 edition will be my last edition as the Herald's editor. I know I was here for a short time - a small speck in the Herald's grand history - but this paper means a great deal to me, and I hope it means a great deal to you, too