Well, this is it, folks.
My final column as the publisher of Chelsea Update.
After the many thousands of words I read – because not a single story was published on this site without me reading every single word of it first.
The more than 30,000 stories about this community.
And all those headlines, yeah, including some typos here and there.
The countless phone calls to double check or confirm information.
The hours spent sitting in very uncomfortable chairs for more meetings than I care to remember.
The thousands of emails I’ve sent or responded to. Just think of how many you received from me? Quite promptly, I might add.
You’re reading the last news story of this 14-year project with the title Chelsea Update: All the News That’s Fit to Post about Chelsea, Michigan.
This last week has been quite surreal putting the finishing stitches, if you will, on my little news site; the one I birthed, fed and watered. So I think it only fitting that I’m the one to pull the plug on it. Because, after all, Chelsea Update is me.
But, fear not, Chelsea Update won’t go black. It will still be available and archived for folks who want to key word search all the information I published. There just won’t be any new stories on it after today.
I’m very excited to tell you that a spin off, or a kissing cousin of Chelsea Update, if you will, is set to launch tomorrow so Chelsea won’t be without a daily news hub. Called The Chelsea Post, Leslie Surel, who has been behind the scenes of Chelsea Update for the last 10 years, will publish it. And, Crystal Hayduk, Lisa Carolin and Alan Ashley, my long-time, super awesome staff, will be part of it.
There will be a daily newsletter and Leslie has already been hard at work setting up social media accounts for it. Please email [email protected] to send your press releases, requests and questions to her.
And I will, of course, forward any information I get from you to her as well.
So today is it. I am officially retired as a publisher.
However, I have not packed away my reporter hat. Leslie has graciously agreed to allow me to be a part of this new venture and continue writing for The Chelsea Post. You’ll be able to read about the continuing adventures of Aidan in the Rally Ring. (Hint: he had a great day competing Saturday) and I plan to continue writing news stories. Maybe even some pieces about my first love – sports.
So, as long as my health holds out, I’m still here for you dear readers. Please send any story ideas you might want me to report via email to [email protected] or give me a call at 734-358-2912.
I do plan to take a little time off as a retired person this week. And, I’m looking at today, Easter, as my personal rebirth.
As for my cancer situation … I’ve decided to try and stay as pain free as possible to compete at the Rally Nationals on July 17. So, with a radiation carrot dangled in front of my nose, I’m going to have this cancer hopefully zapped out. Which should take about a month. And I’ll let everyone know how I’m doing.
To all the folks, who reached out to me – and to whom I still haven’t gotten back to with a personal note – know that each and every one touched me and responding to them is high up on my Retirement To Do List. After this week.
And to my advertisers, your first quarter bills are still coming. Smile.
Until then, and in the immortal words of Porky Pig – “That’s all folks!”
(And yes, journalism friends, I am using one of the 10 exclamation marks we old school reporters were told by our editors that we are allotted in our lifetimes. After 56-plus years in this business, I figure I’m due.)
