Eight years ago this month I moved to Fuquay-Varina. Technically, I live in Willow Spring but my heart is in Fuquay-Varina because that is where I became part of the Fuquay-Varina Independent. The people of this town have embraced me and welcomed me as I have worked with them to make sure that our community’s news was readily available. I became editor of the Independent and managing editor of our group of five newspapers, the Garner News, Apex Herald, Cleveland Post and Holly Springs Sun.

Friday is my last day here. I am excited to begin something totally different and new. I will be working with Beth Ann Young, owner of Doggie Village in Holly Springs. Anyone who knows me knows that newspapers and dogs are two of my favorite things, so it is a wonderful fit. So, the good news is that I will still be around town and I will get to see the friends who have become so important in my life.

The sad news is that I will miss working at the Fuquay-Varina Independent very much. Because of my work here, I have met many interesting and amazing people. I have talked to people who I would have never met otherwise and I was able to accomplish exactly what I wanted to do when we moved here. My husband Darren and I wanted to be part of a community. We wanted to get to know people and feel like we could walk down the street and say hello to anyone who walked by. That is such a great gift. For those who have lived in Fuquay-Varina all their lives, you might not realize that there are parts of the rest of the world that aren’t nearly as welcoming as Fuquay has been to us. We are all lucky to be here.

I worked as editor of the Holly Springs Sun for a few years and enjoyed every minute of that, as well. Each community has it’s own personality, and all of our communties care about the people who live there. What I need to say to all of our readers is that our community newspapers can’t keep going without your support. There will be other editors and writers who will come and go, but without the community support, the newspapers suffer.

As the media world has changed to all things internet, so have community newspapers. Newspapers like the Fuquay-Varina Independent are the last places where you can see your son or daughter honored for a school event. You can place and engagement or wedding at no cost. You can read about a neighbor who needs help or a new business in town. It’s all about you and your community.

Even though I won’t be sitting in the editor’s chair anymore, I plan to support these community newspapers any way I can. It has been an honor to be part of this community. Thank you.