It is with a heavy and conflicted heart that I sit down today to write this column. After 55 plus issues, it brings me no joy to announce I am stepping down from my duties as Editor-in-Chief of Pennsylvania Bridges and the print publication is going on a hiatus.

This was not an easy decision for me to make, nor is it one I made lightly. Aside from my family, I have never loved anything as much as I love this publication. Putting it together each month and then distributing it have been the highlights of my existence. Seeing the joy it brings our readers has kept me going through health and other issues, and I’ll cherish the memories I made in my role as editor.

However, other opportunities have presented themselves, and I have to be realistic about the fact that there’s only one me, and only so many places I can be at the same time.

I have always lived my life with the idea that anything worth doing is worth doing well. Comedian Jon Stewart, who is featured in this month’s Notable & Quotable, is a hero of mine for a lot of reasons, and I remember his statement when he stepped down as host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. In essence, he said if he couldn’t offer the show 100% of his industry, he was cheating the viewers. That sums up how I feel about my role at Pennsylvania Bridges, and I refuse to cheat even one of you, our loyal readers, by stretching myself too thin. You have been so supportive and generous with your appreciation of this publication, and you don’t deserve anything less than my very best effort.

Speaking of my best effort, it has been my mission since the inception of Pennsylvania Bridges to bring you a quality publication that accentuates the positive in our shared communities, and I hope that I did so. Long hours and many holiday weekends were spent endeavoring to give voice to the ordinary heroes among us, and I will miss getting to know their stories most of all.

I would be remiss if I didn’t include a mention of the many people who, along the way, contributed to creating Pennsylvania Bridges. There are too many of you to name individually, and I cannot adequately express my appreciation for your efforts. I often have said I had the best team of writers and contributors in southwestern Pennsylvania, and I stand by that remark. Thank you for your hard work.

To others who’ve supported us in other capacities, let me also extend my thanks to you. You made my job possible.

Let us not end on a dismal note, rather, know that I will forever treasure my time at Pennsylvania Bridges, as well as getting to know, first hand, the incredible talent and generosity of people in our region. Truly, it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Thank you for reading.

Until next time,

Carla E. Anderton