Good morning, neighbor.
I have enjoyed nothing more than being a reporter for the Greenfield Recorder for the past 19 years. I got to talk with NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, who lives in Shelburne Falls with her family, while she circled Earth from the International Space Station. I got to interview actress, director, producer, politician and former Screen Actors Guild President Melissa Gilbert, as well as magician, actor, musician, inventor, author and Greenfield native Penn Jillette.
Best of all, I got to interview so many of you: John Clayton, who recently told me all about what it’s like to have Parkinson’s disease (I watched my mom suffer with it for a dozen years) and, of course, the Belanger family, who told me what is was like to get the news that their son and brother Gregory had lost his life in Iraq — he was the first soldier from Franklin County to die there on Aug. 27, 2003. I will never forget that day.
There are many wonderful, funny, sad and unexpected stories I could talk about in this, my last column, so I’ll stop there, but know that I often think about so many of you. I’ve met some of the most interesting people, from those living in the woods of Greenfield to those who save lives every day. I’ve climbed over barbed-wire fences — the clothes I was wearing didn’t survive — and glided across the sky in a hot-air balloon, and all because of the profession I chose and the place I chose to do it.
I have covered everything from municipal budgets, to fires and accidents, to what many of you are doing in and for your communities. Franklin County and its residents are very giving and passionate about what they do and why they do it.
So, it is with mixed feelings that I must tell you I am leaving the Greenfield Recorder and have accepted a position on the communications team at Baystate Health. My title will be senior specialist of public affairs and community relations at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. I start there May 17, so my last day at the newspaper will be this coming Friday.
I have worked for the local newspaper since 2002, leaving only briefly to work at a larger newspaper out east but returning to be with family and all of you. I’ve loved doing community journalism, and one of the reasons I’ve decided to leave is that I’ll be working for our very engaged community hospital. I think we’ve all realized, especially over the past year, how important it is to have such a wonderful place in our backyard.
Nothing has pleased me more than to connect with so many of you, whether you are a mayor, a state senator or representative, on a selectboard or working at one of our social service agencies. I’ve met so many who own their own business, play in a local band or like to ride horses in their spare time.
The past year has been difficult because, though I’ve been able to talk with many of you on the phone or see you in virtual meetings, it just isn’t the same. How many times have we had to remember to “unmute” ourselves? We “freeze” on screen and others lose half of what the one who froze was saying. It just isn’t the same. I do believe we’ll get back to in-person meetings one of these days and I can’t wait.
So many of you have given me things to write about over the years and nothing has made me happier — well, except my grandchildren — than sharing the local happenings and news with you. The good news is I will continue to connect with many of you, but in a different way.
When I reported local news, it was ultimately about the community, the people, and that will never change. I built trust with you and some great lasting relationships. I grew up here, so I was always reporting on my community, my home, whether it was good or bad news. I hope the relationships we’ve developed over these years remain strong and carry over into this next phase of my life and my new job. Nothing is more important to me than making sure you are happy, informed and living your best and healthiest life.
I will continue the relationship with those I’ve been working with at the Recorder, and will provide them with important information about health and wellness and what’s going on at the hospital. Keeping them informed means keeping you informed.
Please know that I have enjoyed every text, email and call from you. We’ve laughed and cried together, and for those moments and connections I am forever grateful.
I feel “farewell” implies permanency, so I’m going to say “so long” and hope that somewhere along the way, we run into each other again — I know we will. Please take care of yourselves, be well and I thank you for faithfully reading my Neighbors column all these years.