Interesting journey as a columnist wraps up as I move on to new duties

Interesting. Fun. Rewarding. Those three words are sufficient to describe my journey since January 2008. That was the month the editors of the Culpeper Star-Exponent allowed me to begin writing a column every other week that eventually became a Wednesday staple on the editorial page.

I say interesting due to what I learned as I sought subjects on which to write. Sometimes I focused on local issues; sometimes, on larger topics. But no matter what, I always enjoyed learning new things, expanding my own thinking and being able to synthesize my thoughts.

At the same time, writing a column has been fun, for mostly the same reasons. I think of myself as a lifelong learner and anytime I can take new knowledge and share it in (what I aimed to be) an interesting manner, I considered that a success.

These 20 months of column writing has also been rewarding in that I’ve corresponded with friends, strangers, leaders and citizens on a variety of subjects. Yes, it was nice to hear from folks when they liked something I wrote — even lowly, unpaid, weekly columnists have an ounce of vanity. But, being able to get to know people better, get ideas from a variety of sources, and sometimes even start a discourse about an issue was worth the late nights, early mornings and pushed deadlines.

But, now, with nearly 70 columns behind me, I turn in my official weekly columnist’s visor, ID badge and key to the executive lounge. (Sorry, but I’m taking the hand towels and soaps.)

As of July 1, 2009, I became the newly elected president of the Culpeper County Education Association.

Having served as CCEA vice-president for two terms, I have some inkling as to the responsibilities and time commitment that comes with an office such as this. I now represent the nearly 500 members of CCEA.

I will preside at association meetings, attend school board meetings and do other association business. In larger school systems and counties, a local association president can be “full-time release,” where they serve as a full-time chairperson and have a partner-teacher back at their school. This is not the case in Culpeper. I will continue my duties as a full-time drama teacher at Eastern View High School, while I serve in the volunteer capacity as CCEA president.

I need to communicate with the CCEA members and tend to a myriad of duties, while working with my very capable executive board and representatives on the success of our organization.

So, something had to give. And my column seemed like the most logical thing to give up. Star-Exponent editor Rob Humphreys was supportive and encouraging to me throughout my time as a columnist, including when I told him I was giving it up. (Thanks, Rob.)

Starting next week, in this space, you will begin seeing a column written by Eddie Dail, owner of Culpeper’s Gold’s Gym. I’m sure he will bring a new perspective, a new voice, a new set of eyes and ears on the world to read and consider. I wish him well in his weekly journeys, along with the other columnists.

Here’s the other thing that excited me about writing a newspaper column for the last year and a half: the word “newspaper.” It was my dream from the third grade on to work in newspapers. As many of you know, I did just that before moving to Culpeper to teach. Once I got to do my column here, it was a way to relive that little dream of writing for a newspaper again.

Newspapers are struggling everywhere, this is a fact. But here in Culpeper, no matter what people think of the news, opinions, font size or perceived bias, people are reading the newspaper.

The great tradition lives on and I was proud to have a small part of it.

Keep reading. And thank you.