A fond farewell

Nearly two years ago, I arrived in Carroll County as a stranger to almost everyone. In fact, I could count the number of local residents I knew on two fingers. One of them, Scott Loftis, has been a good friend, adviser and confidante for more than 20 years.

The other is Cody Qualls, executive director of the Mercy Health Foundation in Berryville.

I met both of them during my time on the sports desk at the Arkansas Democrat- Gazette’s main office in Little Rock.

Cody was quietly funny and possessed of far less beard than he sports these days.

Loftis, or “Lofty,” as we called him, was loud, boisterous and opinionated. He was also possessed of one of the biggest hearts of anyone I’ve ever met, always willing to hear me out, cheer me up, or offer his thoughts on any situation. I grew to rely on that, even after he left the Democrat- Gazette.

Some things never change. I came here in December 2020 a little broken and more than a little lost after the death of my mother a few months earlier. Almost four years before that, my wife died. For the first time in my life, aside from some distant cousins I don’t know that well and my two step-daughters — who live in Michigan with their birth father — I was alone in the world. I needed a change.

Loftis gave me the opportunity I needed, offering me a job working with a top-notch staff — first Samantha Jones and then Rick Harvey, another Democrat- Gazette alum — at the best small weekly newspaper in Arkansas and even offering up a spare bedroom so I’d have a place to live while I searched for my own space.

Since that time, I’ve met a lot more people, and become friends with several — too many to name, really. People feel comfortable enough to write me emails telling me nice things about my columns — or notso- nice, depending — and my stories about community events, local government and the various schools in the county.

I’m no longer a stranger. I wouldn’t go so far as to think of myself as a local — I haven’t been here that long — but I feel like I’m definitely more than a tourist. I live here. I’m part of the community.

Or at least I was.

In mid-September, I was contacted by the regional publisher from the newspaper chain that owned the last newspaper I worked for, where I served nearly four years as managing editor, growing to think of the place as “home.” He was reaching out to see if I’d be interested in coming back, but not to fill the same position.

He wanted to hire me as president and publisher of that newspaper. Earlier this month, I accepted his offer.

Since that time, I’ve tried to contact as many of my new friends and acquaintances as possible to left them know personally that I was leaving.

Unfortunately, the clock has run out. I start my new job on Thursday, Oct. 20.

If you’re one of those people who consider me a friend and I haven’t talked to you, I apologize. Please know you all mean the world to me.

Over the past two years, Carroll County has become more than just a place I lived and worked. It’s become a second home, one I hate leaving.

At the same time, I’m looking forward to going back and I’m eager to take on this new challenge.

It’s going to be different, that’s for sure. Being a publisher is much different than being the editor. I’ll have more people relying on me, more responsibility and, I’m sure, more stress because of it.

I’ve been told by numerous people that I’m more than capable, but I’m still a bit apprehensive. That’s not going to stop me from making the leap, but I may offer up a prayer here and there.

I’ll miss Carroll County and its people, all of whom welcomed me when I arrived.

This is a good place, filled with good people, one I’m proud to have called home — even for a little while.

Thank you all. It’s been a pleasure.

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Robert Cox is associate editor for Carroll County Newspapers. His email address is RCox@cherryroad. com.