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Thom G., Outdoors editor, accepts another job
Someone outside the newspaper forwarded me the following e-mail, supposedly from Record Searchlight editor Silas Lyons to RS staff on Friday about Thom Gabrukiewicz, the paper’s Outdoors section creator and editor:
“Thom G let us know this morning that he has accepted a job in Sioux Falls, S.D. with the Argus Leader. He’ll be covering outdoors and the environment — a beat that is particularly critical there right now as the region is a hotspot for green technology and is wrestling with thorny issues such as construction of a new refinery. Thom will also do writing coaching with younger staff members. I know they’re thrilled to be getting someone of with Thom’s knowledge, accomplishments and experience. I wish him great success and a heavy parka.
Please join us in wishing Thom the best. Silas
P.S. for the newsroom: I know many of you will want to know our plan for the position. Since we just found out that Thom is leaving, we’re going to need to have a discussion about how to pick up where he leaves off, and that needs to involve all the universal desk editors. So when Maline gets back next week we’ll be talking immediately.
In the meantime, Damon will be in charge of coordinating a proper send-off. We’ll get details to you as soon as we have them.”
When Thom leaves, another crucial piece of the RS will chip away and never return.
Thom was with the RS for 11 years. He created and edited an award-winning Outdoors section that he wrote and laid out. Sometimes, he even took his own photographs. He created a beautiful section that made the paper better.
Thom had a soft spot for children. He was a mentor with Plus One Mentors, participated for many years in J.F. Shea’s annual fishing day for kids and wrote columns to gain awareness and help for organizations like Make-a-Wish.
At the Record Searchlight, Thom was a champion promoter for the north state’s great outdoors. His reporting took us to the top of Lassen Peak during moonlight hikes. He took us fishing for salmon, hunting for wild boar and deer and pheasant and duck and turkey. He taught us how to cook over the world’s tiniest outdoor stove. He wrote about bow hunting, snow-shoeing, biking, hiking, four-wheeling and kayaking.
Soon, Thom will pack his bags and leave Redding far behind as he begins his new life and new job in a new place.
It’s the north state’s loss.
It’s Sioux Falls’ gain.
126 views
I too Doni will miss Thom. He is an excellent writer and I know where ever he goes he will do good. Miss you Thom
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Way back when I read the RS I specifically went to three spots. Doni, Jim D, and Thom.
He’s going to get to explore a whole new world.
Good Luck to Thom.
I, too, will miss Thom’s stories on the great outdoors. I can’t get out there and see it like I used to do so Thom brought it to me in the form of his being there. You could tell from his stories that he was THERE, not just making it up! Our loss is Idaho’s gain.
This is another example of what is happening to our hometown newspaper. Little by little it is chipping away and soon we won’t have a local paper. So many of our favorite writers are moving on, (or being let go) until it is hardly worth reading. I have always subscribed for a year at a time, but this year I am going to seriously re-think this. It really makes me sad.
I will miss Thom and his thoughtful articles that have provided countless hours of outdoor fun for my adventure seeking boys. I have appreciated the expertise that Thom brought to the RS. I now fear that with the departure of Thom, will the RS be running AP articles about our local outdoor scene? Yikes.
The RS as we knew and loved it, went into a downhill slide when Kelly “left”, and only got worse as so many others “left”.
If Silas had set out to destroy our local paper, he could not have done a better job.
I do not miss the RS and when I see a copy when I am out and about and have occasion to peruse the paper, it is a shadow of it’s former self, with none of the meat and substance that I loved.
Kelly, especially, put so much heart and soul into the RS and from the beginning it was like she had always been one of us.
It’s really sad and pretty much like losing a life long friend.
I had a feeling Thom would take that job after reading his blog while he was visiting Sioux Falls. Sounds like an ideal fit for him and I am beyond happy for him!
The RS will suffer, no doubt. Silas is probably glad. What a douche.
Thom Gabrukiewicz wrote the best articles about our area. I live in Redding because of the natural wonders that Thom described. I got to know about him and his dogs as he shared his experiences with his readers. When I cancelled my subscription to the Record Searchlight, I missed two voices. Doni and Thom. I found Doni at this site! I hope I can follow Thom in his new life.
Joanne (and anyone else that’s interested,) may continue to read Thom G’s wonderful writing on his blog:
http://thomg.blogspot.com/
I’m sure The Argus will have his work on their website as well.
Congratulations Thom! Join the ever-growing list of the RS disaffected who have found that life is truly worth living after the key-carded door closes behind you for the last time.
These last many weeks have been the happiest days of my life, and I know you are off to great new adventures, as well!
This Friday will mark the last of the big layoffs in my former department, and I want to encourage my friends and co-workers, Eve and Dean to look forward to your rescue from the sinking ship.
You all will do just fine!
Thom…We’re going to miss your well thought out stories of sport in our parts.
Thanks for your contribution in an otherwise dull paper.
Good luck and good hunting and fishin in South Dakota!
Ok, so are people still willing to pay through the nose just to fight through all the foreclosure notices to find “Frazz” in the classified section? I think I hear the bells tolling over the RS. . .what a bummer to lose the last really great writer of the bunch!
Thom don’t forget to the green Toyota before you go, Thanks and good fishing!