This Friday will be contributing reporter Sarah Donovan’s last day as the Emerson Valley Gazette’s Local News reporter for the foreseeable future. She has decided to take a sabbatical from reporting to work on her book about our town’s rich history of folklore and legends. However, Mrs. Donovan will continue serving as an editor, and I’m sure she’ll contribute articles from time to time.

On a more personal note, both Mrs. Donovan and I request that our readers refrain from prying into our private lives or spreading rumors about our relationship. Our decision to separate earlier this year was not something we came by lightly, and like all relationships, our marriage has complexities nobody else knows, nor are they entitled to know. Her sabbatical is purely for professional reasons, and we continue to have a good working relationship.

There has also been a lot of talk recently about the mental health of our staff members. The Gazette believes proper mental health self-care is just as important as physical self-care. The mind is a vast and unfathomable ocean—it can become wild and untamed, with all manner of dark thoughts lurking deep down in the chasms beneath the surface. Don’t let them roam unchecked, or they might end up pulling you into the depths and drowning you in a sea of despair.

I didn’t mean to get all philosophical there, but I quite like the imagery. I don’t get to write very often since most of my duties are relegated to editing and running the back-end of the paper. However, you might be seeing more bylines from me over the next few weeks until we can find a suitable replacement for Mrs. Donovan. That unenviable task falls to me, unfortunately, and I know it will be a challenge to find a reporter who can fill her massive shoes. Until then, take care and join me in wishing my wife good luck in completing her magnum opus.

-Charles Donovan, Editor-In-Chief, Emerson Valley Gazette