Tribune: "To toast our readers"

[chantal]

If I were a real reporter, I'd know who delivered the toast this morning at 9am when the Albuquerque Tribune finally closed its doors after 86 years serving our outpost on the edge of America.

"I'd like to toast our readers... for making this institution possible. For allowing us to tell the truth, to challenge the power."

If I were a real reporter, I'd have more to say besides the obvious note that the Tribune will be irreplaceable in our community.

Irreplaceable. Inimitable.

I wasn't sure if this morning's farewell in the Tribune newsroom would seem a funeral or a celebration. It was a bit of both, laden with tears and champagne. I felt honored to act as witness and celebrant.

Here's to nearly a century of well-wrought words and the eternity of their impact. Thank you, Albuquerque Tribune.

[Erik Siemers]

Chantal, thanks for coming yesterday. And thanks for all your support. We've appreciated it.

[Doc Mara]

Thanks for all of your hard work. Hopefully, the spirit of this paper will live on.

[Pat O'Connell]

A very sad day indeed. The Trib helped me learn how to read.

[chantal]

Someone who knows just emailed me to say:

"In your photo online, the Trib staffers are (from left) Stacia Spragg-Braude, Ollie Reed Jr., Jack Ehn and Larry Spohn. I believe it was Larry who toasted our readers."

They're obviously, a *real* reporter ;-)

[Luann Wolfe]

Erik- what are you going to do now that the Trib has closed?

[Erik Siemers]

Luann: The answer to that is still unknown. I'll be flying to various locales over the next week for job interviews at other newspapers. After that, hopefully I'll have some offers to ponder with my wife. If not, I'll be diving into the freelance market until the right job comes along.

[Luann Wolfe]

With every ending there's a new beginning.

I hope you have many fabulous job offers to consider in the next couple of weeks.

[Jana]

Thanks, Chantal! You got some great photos...I guess I'll have to have a beer for the Trib, cuz I don't have champagne. :)

[Jeremy Jojola]

I saw the last Tribune for sale at Barnes and Noble this weekend. I loved the headline "Goodnight Albuquerque." Very appropriate. Nice post Chantal.