Happy New Year everyone! 2023 is in the rearview mirror and we’re just pulling out into 2024. I have big hopes for this year, and I’m sure you do, too. We here at the Gazette are dedicated to making sure you’re in-the-know for everything happening in Emerson Valley. This paper has been serving our town for over a century, and we take the responsibility as its stewards very seriously. But that doesn’t mean we don’t know how to cut loose every once in a while.

Since we haven’t worked in an office together since 2019, we don’t get to see each other all at once very often anymore. However, we decided to ring in the new year and welcome our newest staff member with a New Year’s party, hosted by the very gracious Ms. Elizabeth Barton—Dear Libby to our dear readers. Our Human Interest reporter, Mr. William Cooper, snapped some photos of the party that he was nice enough to forward along, so I figured I’d share them with you and give you a little behind-the-scenes peek at the Gazette staff:

It was great to spend more time with Miss Quinn Paxton so I could get to know her better beyond the hiring process. I’m sure she’ll do a great job in her new post as our Local News reporter. We would also like to wish Mrs. Sarah Donovan good luck as she embarks on her journey to finish her long-gestating local legends and folklore book. She knows that anytime she wants to contribute to the Gazette, all she has to do is ask.

Here’s to a happy and prosperous 2024 everyone! Thank you for reading the Gazette and your continued support!

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