So Long And Thanks For All The Fish

My mother has always joked that I was 5 years old when I first declared I wanted to be a journalist. Of course, at the time, my decision likely was based simply on the fact that the two journalists I knew — Peter Parker and Clark Kent — had pretty cool side jobs.

While my own path to the world of community newspapers never included the wearing of spandex costumes or development of super powers, I’ll admit that the last 16 years have been nothing short of amazing.

My first day at The Terrell Tribune got off to an auspicious start — I arrived late, my publisher was convinced I was an albino and my first trip to Terrell High School resulted in me almost getting sent to the principal’s office as an overzealous teacher failed to believe my claims that I wasn’t a student skipping class.

Since then, though, no complaints.



Over the years in my various roles with Terrell-area newspapers, I’ve been afforded the wonderful opportunity to meet numerous remarkable people, become involved with countless amazing organizations and, of course, be a part of something that I truly believe in — community journalism.

I arrived at The Terrell Tribune in 1996, a wet-behind-the-ears sports reporter. As far as a first real newspaper job, I couldn’t complain. After all, in the late 1990s, covering Terrell Tiger sports was an exciting endeavor complete with numerous trips to the postseason.

In the past decade and a half since then, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to serve as the newspaper’s managing editor and — after stints at Rockwall and Kaufman publications — return in 2009 as the publisher.

Over these years, I’ve seen Terrell change, grow and transform into something a bit different than what I found here in 1996. I truly believe this community stands at a crossroads and that local civic leaders face some important choices that will shape the future of Terrell. I believe that they will make the right choices and pray that sentiment holds true.

I know the Tribune will be there to watch that future unfold, documenting a new era for Terrell.

I, however, will not.

Friday, Nov. 30, marked my final day with The Terrell Tribune. I’m setting off to begin a new chapter of my life, leaving behind a wonderful group of friends, neighbors, co-workers, colleagues and, surely, a community I have grown to love.

Out of a habit, I still tell people that I’m a native of Grayson County, having attended schools in Whitesboro my entire childhood. The sobering truth, though, is I lived there just 14 years, two shy of what I’ve spent in the Terrell area.

That makes Terrell home.

And it makes saying farewell bittersweet.