Vacations and Goodbyes

Carol is off to pursue other opportunities. She spent about a year at the Mercury, helping to plan the site's launch and then handling Schools coverage. She's a great journalist and a wonderful editor. Some lucky publishing company will be the better for hiring her.

Todd, a consummate globetrotter, is already in one southeast Asian country or another. He's traveling through at least three this summer, if memory serves. When he gets back, he'll be looking at journalism programs in the region. A school would be lucky to have him.

As I say, it was great to have both of them around, and I wish them both the best.

Finally, I am leaving in just a few hours on vacation. It's terrible timing considering the big decisions facing the county board over the next few days, but I'd be lying if I said I'd rather be here than on vacation. This was the best last chance for me to get away, so I am taking it.

My family is already out-of-town, and I cannot wait to catch up with them.

I will be back in town in time for the county fair. I hope to have some great news about the Merc then, or soon after. In the meantime, enjoy your summer, and I'll send out an email when we are back online.

Meliora!

Steve Thurston