My last day at The Virginian-Pilot
Today was my last day at The Virginian-Pilot.
It was definitely bittersweet. You can’t spend four and three-quarters years at a daily newspaper and not grow attached to the place. But you also can’t lose your job and be moved into a lesser one without becoming profoundly disappointed.
I couldn’t be happier with my new gig at The Sporting News Today. I report for work in Charlotte on Tuesday. But still, I’ve been in the daily newspaper business for more than a quarter-century. It feels strange to be suddenly out of it.
My Pilot friends were most gracious. Everything was so upbeat and positive. I couldn’t have asked for a better last day at work. My supervisor for the past six months — presentation team leader Paul Nelson — gave me a wonderful sendoff. My good friend, photographer Martin Smith-Rodden, was kind enough to shoot the party they threw for me this afternoon.
Paul Nelson makes his remarks
while I try — and fail — to look humble.
—
Deputy managing editor Deb Withey observed my diabetes by skipping the traditional cake and opting instead for Chick-Fil-A nuggets. Oh, how I love Chick-Fil-A.
She said she told the manager of the local Chick-Fil-A that I’d give them a plug in my blog. And sure enough, this is that plug. The nuggets were wonderful. As was the cool, cool Chick-Fil-A schwag the manager threw in.
Deb gives me a limited-edition Chick-Fil-A calendar.
It was a little chewy; not quite as delicious as the nuggets.
—
The man who hired me — my good friend Denis
Finley, the editor of the Pilot — is a former photog.
He’s traded his Nikon for a Blackberry.
—
Then Denis compels Martin to shoot a dreaded grip-
and-grin with the guy wearing the cool Chick-Fil-A hat.
—
I received a card and some very nice Pilot items. By friend Bob Voros went nuts for his former boss, buying me an enormous NASA history book, a Darth Vader bobblehead and the new animated Batman: Gotham Knight DVD. Bob knows me so well.
My friends stunned me, though, by presenting me with a framed collage of graphics, illustrations and pages I’ve built over the years I worked here. Miranda Mulligan put the piece together, I’m told.
Stunned speechless by Miranda’s collage.
—
The crowd applauds. Now that I think about it,
I’ll bet they were applauding the fact that I was
speechless.
—
Bob and Miranda show off the collage.
Just fabulous.
—
I’m going to miss Bob and Miranda — and John Earle, who was on vacation this week and missed my last day.
I’m going to miss them all.
Next up: Finish packing Saturday. Drive down to Rock Hill Sunday. Find temporary housing Monday. Begin work Tuesday.
July 12th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
We’re going to miss you too, Chuck.
July 13th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
And while I’m sure I speak for many of us in saying that’s a party that never should have needed to be thrown, I also know that Charles isn’t going to be the only one getting his nuggets chewed before this is over.
July 13th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Happy driving, unpacking and getting ready for Tuesday Charles. We are thinking about you!
July 13th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Ya know, Denis kinda looks like he is flippin’ you off in the picture of him taking your photo with his fancy phone. Ha ha ha.
I am glad we got a chance to give you some kind of send off before you high-tailed it out of SHR.
Piece of advice for the drive south: “Avoid the deer.”
“That was so profound,” you say? Well it’s not one of my better ones, but it seemed appropriate.
I am gonna miss you, Chuck!!!
July 14th, 2008 at 7:12 am
Looks like it was a nice sendoff. Have fun with your new adventure!
July 15th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Great sendoff, good luck!
July 15th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Best of luck back in Rock Hill. I am sorry the Pilot gig didn’t work out, but I suspect this was a scheme that you and Sharon dreamed up to keep the 7th Fleet away from Elizabeth.
I can’t wait to see the new Sporting News and keep up with what you are doing. Expect to have Anne and me drop in on you next spring on our way through to Florida.
July 15th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Hey, welcome to your first day at the new gig. And welcome back to North Carolina.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Hey Chuck,
I can’t wait to see your impact at the new Sporting News. Have fun in NC!
Chick-Fil-A nuggets left?
July 18th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
The new Sporting News just scored. Best of luck in your new path.
August 10th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Charles,
Congratulations on your new venture, With you, The Sporting News has the best graphics guy in the business. Please say hello to the familyfor me.
Hope to see you again some day.
“Keep On Keepin On”
Ken Wright
August 12th, 2008 at 11:46 am
This may sound awkward, but I’m not sure I ever did congratulate you and wish you well in Charlotte. If I did, I forgot, but if not:
CONGRATULATIONS, pal. I can understand the feeling, leaving newspapers after a long stretch. But the challenges you’ll face, or are facing now, with the new Sporting News Today, will make up for it. That, and going home again.
Miranda’s collage is utterly stunning, and a touching gesture that not very many of us ever get. You’re a lucky man, Chuckie, to have worked with such people.