One of the reasons I started pursuing a career in newspapers, and especially community newspapers, is I felt I could make the most impact on people with this job. Newspapers were and continue to be a work of pride and love for me. 

It is true, the institution has changed drastically in the past 20 maybe 10 years. Even in the days since I graduated college the industry has transformed. Through all of the change, our mission has always remained the same, to keep the readers informed. 

The Daily Leader had some big changes this year. Our parent company changed, our physical office location moved down the street to 112 East Monticello Street. Many people have asked me about the move over the past few months. 

It is tough for me to explain how I feel. In part, I miss walking into the old office, there were so many writers who made an impact on this community and started their careers with The Daily Leader. 

My dad always talked about the sports writing legend Tom Goetz and I would always try to read Therese Apel’s dogged crime reporting. In the old archives, I would search for the outdoor stories written by Joe McDonald. I sure wish he was still here. 

Our new office is small but full of people. It is bright and still remains in downtown Brookhaven. I would argue it is easier for me to walk places being on the opposite side of Monticello Street. Some of the drivers in this area don’t like to stop at the crosswalk and let pedestrians safely cross. 

It is a different chapter in the newspaper’s story. Across the country, it seems the newspaper industry continues to change along with everything else. 

While technology and the economy has changed one thing certainly hasn’t. The Daily Leader and newspapers across the country could not do what we do if it were not for the support of our readers. Thank you so much for your continued support as we have transitioned from print to a heavier digital presence. 

I recognize the transition to more digital articles has not been easy. Believe me, I will always appreciate the feeling of having a hot of the press paper in my hand, the ink staining my palms. The smells of the paper and its weight can never be replaced by a digital website. It sure is nice to be able to update stories as they happen and fix silly mistakes quickly. 

I would like to say thank you to the readers who have reached out to us and encouraged us. Every kind word has helped keep us going. 

The newspaper could not be here without our readers, thank you.