I can honestly say that I don’t know where to start with this column.

How about here...today is my last day as the sports editor at the Newberry Observer. I will be starting my next adventure as the editor of sister papers, The Tribune and the Yadkin Ripple in the foothills of North Carolina. Elkin and Yadkinville move us very close to my in-laws and closer to my folks, and of course makes my family happy.

I leave Newberry ready to lead two newspapers because of the people that I’ve worked with, in and out of the office.

When I got here, I felt at home — quickly.

I can’t tell you how many times I was told “if you ever need anything, just call me” by a variety of people around the county.

The coaches and players were instantly wonderful to work with and have been great to me in my two years here.

This community is especially blessed to have so many coaches that have a true passion for the sports they coach and the kids they mentor.

There’s not a single coach that I worked with that I can say I didn’t like or one that was difficult to work with.

I could run off name after name, but I’ll just say this...to all of the coaches that I worked with, thank you for your professionalism, your dedication to your kids and the community, and your friendship.

I’m sure I will keep in touch with many of you and I look forward to reading about your teams and athletes in the upcoming seasons.

The memories that I’m taking with me are countless...but here are a couple that stick with me.

— The 19 scoreless innings by the Mid-Carolina baseball team in its upset of Emerald in the 2007 Upper State championship game, then getting humbled by a really good man a couple of days later after I wrote something I shouldn’t have in the paper.

— Nearly getting heat stroke but loving every minute as the Mid-Carolina Dixie Youth OZone kids won the state championship in Seneca.

— Seeing the pure excitement of the Whitmire football team after it defeated Christ Church to win its first region championship in a generation.

— Newberry High School girls’ basketball coach Ronney Hunter telling his team that Emerald was better than them after trailing by double-digits after three quarters. The ‘Dogs roared back to win that game, and eventually defeated Emerald again to win the region championship. A couple of months later, the Bulldogs’ softball team did basically the same thing — came out of nowhere to win a league title.

I will definitely miss the Newberry Observer, the people that I share an office with and the wonderful people that I’ve shared a community with.

Thanks for all your support and just so you know, I’m taking a big chunk of the Palmetto State with me up north.