It is with mixed emotions that I write this column, which is my final one as the managing editor of The Post-Searchlight. By now, I have begun my new career as the publisher of The Atmore Advance, a newspaper in the town of Atmore, Ala.

While I am excited about the challenges that face me ahead in Atmore, I am sad to leave the town where I have spent the last two years of my life. I truly enjoyed living in Decatur County, becoming involved in the community and meeting so many wonderful people.

Certainly, there are countless wonderful people who I had the chance to meet, and there is absolutely no way that I could possibly list them all. However, there are a few groups where it was especially hard to say goodbye.

I had been in community theatre productions before, but I was able to take that to a whole new level in my involvement with the Bainbridge Little Theatre. I was lucky enough to perform in two wonderful musical productions, as “Rooster” in Annie and as “Mr. Sowerberry” and “Mr. Brownlow” in Oliver! I made a number of great friends through those countless rehearsals and long nights in sticky make-up and itchy costumes. I will miss you all very much, and I promise that you will see me in the audience in the future!

I also really enjoyed the chance to offer my god-given musical talents every Sunday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. I have played guitar since sixth grade, and it always gives me great joy to lead the singing or provide musical accompaniment in the worship service. When I was younger, I was told that “when you sing, you pray twice,” and that is definitely true. I thank Fr. Rudy Broenig, Fr. Arturo Quesada and the congregation of St. Joseph’s for truly making me feel welcome and a part of their family.

It was also hard to say goodbye to my friends in the Bainbridge Rotary Club. No matter how busy my Tuesdays sometimes got, I always looked forward to taking that hour to come together and socialize and hear a great speaker. It was also lots of fun to take part in the Christmas socials and other events that the club held throughout the year. I’m not sure yet if I will be joining the Rotary Club in Atmore, but I guarantee that Bainbridge set the bar very high!

And finally, I just want to say thanks to Jeff Findley and everyone on the team at The Post-Searchlight. I appreciate them for allowing me to reach thousands of readers every week, and to document the story of life in Decatur County. I look forward to telling Atmore’s story now, but I will always remember my friends in Bainbridge. Please feel free to keep in touch with me on Facebook, or send an email to schuver14@hotmail.com.

Thanks again, and God bless.