Should old acquaintances...

It's with a touch of sadness that I pen this end-of-the year note to you, PRIME's loyal readers. This will be the last issue for me. I'm not leaving Reminder Publications, just moving over to a new position with the company. But the new responsibilities mean I have to vacate the chair as editor of PRIME. It's a strange feeling. You see, I've been directly involved with the senior publication product of this company since I started here as a 10-hour-a-week employee for the Connecticut edition of Senior Prime Times14 years ago. That's a long time for any reporter to cover one beat, and its one I've thoroughly enjoyed. Especially over the past nine years, when PRIME has been my paper. I've learned so much as I've been trying to keep you informed, such as all the information and contacts that helped me and my husband navigate the waters as our family's elders aged, and in some cases ,became ill and needed help. The editor's job has also given me the privilege of interviewing some very interesting people for you the former Monkee Mickey Dolenz, actress and Dancing with the Stars contestant Jane Seymour, former Monster.Com founder Jeff Taylor and my favorite interview, explorer and Titanic discoverer Dr. Robert Ballard. It's also connected me with countless local people, all celebrities in their own right. I brought you stories from former Open Pantry director Kevin Noonan, Habitat for Humanities director York Mayo, City Concilor Kateri Walsh, volunteer extraordinaire Al Zippin and yoga mistress Sheila Magalhaes. There have been been countless authors and experts, issues and events, and I've felt honored to bring them to you. I've enjoyed our time together, and I hope you have, too. I also feel very comfortable in passing the torch to PRIME's new editor, Mike Briotta. Like myself, he's a native of Western Massachusetts, a former Hampdenite to be exact and even attended the same high school I did (we won't talk about the year). Mike's also had the opportunity to stretch his journalistic skills more than I did, working for papers in other parts of the country and most recently, for Hartford Magazine. He's a crackerjack writer, with lots experience, plenty of fresh ideas and a desire to take PRIME to the next level. He's also promised me that he'll take care of you all for me. You can reach Mike at 525-3247 x 122 or via email at mikeb@thereminder.com. Please say hello. And, have a happy holiday, Debbie Gardner, former PRIME Editor