It's kind of the way I feel about my time at the Herald. It was a hard job, in which any mistakes I made were broadcast to an entire community. But it has gone by too fast. To quote the theme song of the TV show "Dear John," "by the time you read this line, I'll be gone." I'm moving on to graduate school at Queens College.
What made this, my first job out of college, so memorable and so hard to leave was the people. My co-workers have been friends and more - journalism instructors, shoulders to cry on and, above all, a family. I have had two great editors, the famous Angela Marshall and now the soon-to-be-just-as-famous Beth Wallach. It was colleagues like Nicole, Karenlyn, Hector, Nick, Chris and Jason who made work fun and made my other friends jealous of my "cool" office. So thanks, everyone. I've enjoyed being the office secretary/baker.
The other people in my life at the Herald have been you, the readers and residents of Rockville Centre. You're an interesting and involved bunch. From a college student interning at the Olympics to a woman raising nine of her grandchildren alone to a police officer who donated bone marrow to a stranger, I have met so many unique people while covering the RVC beat.
There were certain people in the village who I knew I could count on for help, a kind word or an explanation of a complicated issue. For three years I have heard from Russ Siller every August. He lost his brother, Stephen, on Sept. 11, 2001, and since then there has been a memorial run in September every year. Russ shared his stories of Stephen, and kindly told me that I had been sensitive in my discussions with him.
Some of my other reliable sources included Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Johnson, his secretary, Fran, and District Clerk Cynthia Geones. Without them and the numerous PTA moms and dads, I would have never made it through several school budget seasons and countless Board of Education meetings. At the village government, Ron Wasson has helped me understand the inner workings of Rockville Centre. He could be counted on for a clear explanation, and usually a joke as well.
Besides the many serious stories, I've also had the chance to cover some exciting events. I became a true Cyclones fan while writing about the girls' volleyball team that made it all the way to the state championships in 2002. Henry Norde, a veteran living at Maple Point Assisted Living, entertained me with thrilling stories of life on a submarine. Wally Lindemann gave me a behind-the-scenes tour of the then brand new Cradle of Aviation museum, where he was a volunteer.
So, thank you for inviting me into your homes and sharing your stories with me. And don't worry, I'll still be appearing from time to time as a freelancer. You're not getting rid of me that easily.
