In an industry plagued by diminishing critical mass, it’s a tough and gut wrenching task to say goodbye to departing friends who share the same passion for community journalism but that’s the tall order of your humble scribe today.

Our dear friend and colleague Bruce Bell is off to sunnier climes tomorrow. Bruce has served this community well as reporter and editor of the County Weekly News. A Port Hope lad by birth and County resident by choice, Bruce and I could often be found holding court at Wellington Dukes games in the winter time if anyone bothered to notice and, thankfully, most local hockey fans didn’t.

The same could be said at Shire Hall where we hovered over a tiny media table while perched upon the most uncomfortable chairs available for institutional purchase in the western hemisphere.

It was there, elbow to elbow in the pre-Youtube days, where this scribbler truly learned the craft of community journalism with Bruce serving as undergrad instructor. As a cub reporter learning the workings of municipal government, figuring out what was big and breaking news and what was nothing more than a release of hot air in a dust storm by way of a professional scribe that proceeded my start covering the beats in Prince Edward by a few years was key to my development and only fostered my love of journalism.

Bruce took pity on me at budget time and during instances when contentious council issues would roil, providing the guidance that allowed me to get up to speed on such matters and produce (mostly) coherent copy for our readership. These marathon council meetings typically took place on a Monday.

Then, on Friday night at the Dukedome, we would dodge pucks together at the end of the Wellington bench while trying to get the shot for next week’s story -all the while rehashing the week that was. Of course, being a goalie of some note after following in the footsteps of his dad, former World Champion and NHL puckstopper Gordie Bell, Bruce knew to stand just behind this hulking mass of a defenceman who could always be counted on to get in the way of a spinning disc. Or, at least, not be able to get out of the way in a timely fashion.

A relationship that started as a friendly rivalry developed into a true friendship over the years-I’d hear all about Lauren and Cameron off at university and domestic life overlooking the Bay of Quinte’s south side while Bruce would just laugh and offer that trademark grin between sips of black coffee when I’d share a story about my rag-tag bunch kicking around Bloomfield.

A sportsman for all seasons, Bruce is a particularly crafty duffer who can be counted on to get up and down on any track from here to all points east, west and, best of all, south. Bruce, here’s hoping all your drives are straight and long, your approaches land soft and true and your putts find the centre of the cup.

Fare thee well friend and thanks.

Closer to the heart of Canada’s Oldest Community Newspaper, we must also offer our goodbye to dear Christine DeMille who, as the organization required it, developed into a little bit of everything over the last decade. Sales, classifieds, layout, reception and whatever else was needed, Christine did it all with an infectious smile on her face and bubbly personality that greeted whomever picked up the phone to call us or wandered through our door at 267 Main Street.

Inside the guts of a working news room can be a lonely existence for editorial staff who work long, strange hours and lay their final work bare for all to see and critique but during her better than two decades, Christine carefully crafted close working relationships with the reporters.

For some, that was simply a cheerful good morning or good night on the way out the door.

For others, including myself, it was more of a friendship where advice was sought and tactfully provided. A Monday morning recap with Christine of the weekend’s activities would often produce at least one news tip to follow up on. If you needed an understanding and sympathetic ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on or someone to share in a laugh at the absurdity that comes with this craft, Christine was there.

For Christine, working at the Gazette was more than a just a job and that’s evidenced by her dedicated tenure. Believe this editor when they say most don’t last in this industry if they lose (or never discover) a passion about the product they are a part of.

Over the last couple of years with the newsroom going virtual, Christine made it a point to stop off on non-deadline days to where this ink-stained wretch is bivouacked to chew the fat and maintain that unique friendship where work life and family life become intertwined amongst those of us who wear our hearts on our sleeves. It was just like old times for a minute.

Thank you Christine for being a devoted employee, a good work friend and being there when myself and all the other reporters needed the kind humanity you offered so freely every day.

-Jason Parks

PICTURING OUR COMMUNITY

Over the course of this ski racing season, Wellington’s Spencer Dullard-Krizay has had a strong showing, earning a bronze medal in a slalom race at Mansfield Ski Club to start his season, securing a silver in a GS race at Blue Mountain, and finally a gold medal at Caledon in a field of 98 male racers. That successful season led to him being selected to represent Batawa Ski Racing Club at the U19 South Ontario Division Cup at Devil’s Glen this Sunday. The 17 year old Centennial racer took gold in Bay of Quinte Level two and the same at COSSA at Brimacombe and will compete at OFFSA in Collingwood early next week. (Submitted Photo)