To the Editor:
Fifteen months ago, when The Lincoln County News hired me to report on events in Bremen, Jefferson, Nobleboro, Somerville and Waldoboro, I was a relative rookie with less than four years of full-time reporting experience under my belt and little knowledge of the people and events of Lincoln County.
My new coworkers made me feel respected from the start. I have deep regard for everyone I’ve met and worked with at Lincoln County Publishing. I may not know everyone’s names, but I know how hard they all work to produce something of value. Not just the news, which is of the utmost importance, but publications of every type and of the highest quality.
At the end of this week I will be leaving The Lincoln County News. I will be working as a sweet and savory baker at Terra Optima Farm Market in Rockland’s South End, a 10 minute walk from my house. I will have evenings off to enjoy my family, my friends and Penobscot Bay.
Food is a bit like the news. Both are consumable. Once read, a good story should be remembered, even acted on. I hope I’ve written one or two of these. I’ve seen a good meal transform a person’s day. I hope to make a few of those.
I will miss my coworkers and the members of the public and of government I have met in Lincoln County. I still get lost about once a week, driving to places I’ve never been to meet people I’d never have gotten to know without this job and this newspaper.
Some people I meet are angry; some don’t want to tell me their names. Some even call me names. Most are glad to have a newspaper to connect their communities, and very glad to have one of this quality. I appreciate the kindness Lincoln County has shown me.
Early on, Associate Editor Kim Fletcher told me this job would show me what it is to be part of a real newspaper. I believe it did and I am grateful to the Roberts family and everyone here for sharing that experience.
To our readers; thank you very much for all your help and support, and for your involvement in your community. I wish you and those you love continued well-being and hope to see you again and often.
