As Groucho once said, ‘Hello, I cannot stay, I must be going’Date: 9/12/2022 In 1930, the Marx Brothers filmed their second movie for Paramount, an adaptation of one of their hit Broadway musicals called “Animal Crackers.”
Groucho plays Capt. Jeffrey Spalding, an explorer who is the guest of a Long Island socialite. After he is introduced to the guests, he clearly has some second thoughts and sings the following lyrics:
“Well, I’m certainly grateful for this magnificent washout. Uh, turnout. And now, I’d like to say a few words: Hello, I must be going I cannot stay I came to say I must be going I’m glad I came But just the same I must be going, la-la!
[Margaret Dumont as the socialite] For my sake you must stay If you should go away You’ll spoil this party I am throwing
[Groucho responds] I’ll stay a week or two I’ll stay the summer through But I am telling you I must be (pause) going!
This is my theme song, folks: I must be going.
I will be retiring from the role of executive editor at the conclusion of the workday on Sept. 30. I will have a new role as a part-time reporter, largely for Springfield, until the end of the year and then I will be a freelancer for Reminder Publishing. I will continue my association with Focus Springfield and am hoping I will have the time to complete three more books.
This is my retirement.
I want to thank our readers for their support for the past nearly 22 years. It has been a very positive experience. People read and react to these newspapers and that is what any editor or reporter wants. I’ve even enjoyed the give and take of those who clearly have not liked my opinions. I’m sure you all will be pleased with this announcement.
There is a list of people to thank starting with my wife who has had to deal with the unpredictable schedule I’ve maintained for the past two decades. It’s not been easy.
I must also thank the Buendo brothers for hiring me in 1999 even though they had some doubts and probably continued those doubts during their time of ownership.
Naturally, I need to thank Fran Smith, our general manager for the past four-plus years, for keeping me on after Advance bought us. Considering how I treated The Republican as a competitor I expected a different outcome. To my surprise and pleasure, I was invited to stay.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with some great reporters and photographers. Yes, there have been a couple I wish to forget, but generally I have been blessed with wonderful, hard-working, caring colleagues.
My successor, Payton North, is one of those colleagues. I’ve worked with Payton for more than five years and she has been an outstanding reporter and editor. She is one of the most organized people I’ve met and is one of the most competent people I know for this kind of work. I will always do my best to support her and the other members of the staff.
She will truly begin the first week in October, although as you read this the transition has already begun. I have given her my sealing wax and signet ring as a sign of the transition of power – that’s a joke.
My column will continue every other week, while my film reviews will cease, with Matt Conway doing those. I’ve truly enjoyed writing those pieces, but like everything in life, there are ends to the chapters. I’ll put my musings about movies up on my Facebook page.
And a new chapter will open for me, as it does for all of us reaching a certain age.
Thank you for your interest and support. I’ve appreciated it.
And I must be .........going!
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