By ANDREA HURLEY
Weekend Editor

I'm outta here.

Maybe it's the gypsy in my blood or an incurable case of wanderlust, but this ol' gal is heading off into the great unknown. Well, not exactly unknown.

A few weeks back I accepted a position with a newspaper back in my home state of Pennsylvania. Though not in my hometown, it's only a few hours' drive from most of my family and many of my friends. A small weekly located deep in the mountains, it will sure be a big change from the flat land of the south metro area not to mention I'll need less air conditioning. Accepting the position also means a chance to do a bit of teaching again at Penn State University.

The decision wasn't made easily. My year in Georgia has been full to overflowing with wonderful people and great opportunities. In just 12 months' time I've made some great friends and had the opportunity and privilege to become part of your weekly routine.

Journalism is a strange business community journalism even stranger. And those of us who earn our daily bread putting words on paper are a strange lot indeed. Many of us, myself included, are gratification junkies. That's right. We need you to feed the monkey on our backs.

If you don't have a comment or a criticism, how could we ever know that we're not just writing for ourselves? So to those of you who have written, called or stopped me on the street with both criticism and kind words, thanks for the fix.

Over the past year, here in Fayette and Coweta counties and also in Henry, it's been quite an experience. Let's see. I spent a day at a tattoo parlor, another day with a clown from the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus, met a man who is busy watching the skies for signs of other intelligent life in the universe, interviewed the "real" Santa Claus, smoked my first cigar, held a baby lion cub, went to a high school prom, held a snake, petted a gator, attended rock concerts, experienced "Tribulation Trail" over at Metro Heights Baptist Church in Stockbridge, and so much more it's impossible to list. But you get the picture.

Even more satisfying this year has been the chance to get to know so many of you. As I've intruded into your lives, and often into your homes, you have been the most gracious of hosts.

Tucked away among all the moments in time are images of your children dancing the night away at the prom, hugging one another close after graduation and losing a tough one on the soccer field. Your memories have become mine, and I'll continue to cherish them long after you've forgotten I've ever been here.

Leaving my faithful readers is no piece of cake but leaving my coworkers is another tough one. They're among the best there is and you can believe I'll be staying in touch. Sincere thanks to editor-at-large Dave Hamrick who brought me here in the first place and to John Thompson for keeping me sane the past six months. To our publisher, Cal Beverly, "Gracias y adios, jefe."

You're fortunate to have access to a publication put together each week by professionals who truly care about the community. Keep reading, keep those letters to the editor coming in and never hesitate to call if you have a comment or concern. They're counting on it. And by the way, if you ever happen to be in Mercersburg, Pa., look me up.

As Jerry Garcia once sang, "What a long, strange trip it's been."

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