We are so pleased to congratulate Town Tribune Owner and Publisher Marylou Schirmer, who is happily transitioning into retirement after 28 years at the newspaper. She is grateful and excited to leave the business in the best hands with Christine Gillespie, who has a long history with the paper, has recently served as Sports Editor, and will transition to ownership of the newspaper with this issue.

Marylou shared, “I am extremely excited for Christine to experience all the pride, joy, and satisfaction that comes with providing an important service to the community. I am confident she will continue to grow the paper and make it her own while keeping the familiar staples readers currently enjoy. I know the paper will be in great hands! I will be working together with Christine for a few more weeks until the transition is finalized.” In turn, Christine says that in her new role, “I am most looking forward to providing a vehicle to share the news and help support the local businesses in our New Fairfield and Sherman communities. As Sports Editor, I had the opportunity to interact with all the sports organizations in the community. In my new role, I look forward to expanding that by bringing other news to our readers and supporting the advertising of local businesses.”

Though a cozy retirement filled with more family time—especially with her adorable grandchildren—beckons, Marylou will miss the daily interaction with readers and advertisers. “Each paper had its own ‘personality,’” she said, “and I loved having the ability to create it. Also, featuring important community events and creating a paper with various and interesting topics – something for everyone.” Jokingly, the only thing she will not miss are the local election seasons. She strongly believes, “Local newspapers are the heartbeat of the community. Independent reporting is vital for keeping readers informed, as well as town events, school news, sports, and much more. Providing these services, along with community organizations and advertising support, is crucial for the survival of independent papers.”

Christine agrees that local newspapers “provide the unique opportunity to bring the most relevant news to our local readers every week. They can share stories on small, local businesses that a larger newspaper may overlook or not have the space to include. Advertisers can reach a specific town or community that they are targeting.” With the paper’s transition to a hybrid digital/print format, she wanted to remind readers, “You can still get a subscription to the paper copy of the Town Tribune or pick it up around town, but the digital edition is free and comes right to your inbox. This is a great way papers can help sustain themselves. Also, this allows interested readers all over the world the ability to read our paper. While it is about New Fairfield and Sherman, former residents that may have moved away have a great way to keep up with what’s going on at home.” For advertisers, this presents a rare opportunity, “Since local papers can deliver to such a niche market, advertisers can reach an entirely different audience than they might in a bigger paper. It’s perfect for local businesses to promote events, sales, or just for brand awareness.”

Both leaders have charmed histories with the newspaper. For Christine, “The Town Tribune will always have a special place in my heart because of my family’s history there. My mom worked at the Citizen News for 18 years with Marylou. I’ve known Marylou since I was in kindergarten. I feel like I’ve known the paper for even longer. Even before I seriously considered working at the Town Tribune, whenever someone would mention something about it, I’d feel warm and fuzzy inside.” A full-circle moment, she added, “I used to go to the Citizen News as a kid when my mom worked there. I always thought her job in layout was interesting and looked fun. It was like a big puzzle. I can’t believe I have this opportunity to do it myself! For the first time in my life, I’ve found something that feels right.”

Christine noted, “I love the paper as it is. I am not coming in with plans to overhaul it. I thought about bringing back the Through the Eyes of a Senior column. I always enjoyed that growing up and I think our readers would too.” With deep roots and connections in New Fairfield and Sherman, she said, “I love the small town feel and character of the people. Everyone sticks together and is there for one another.” One of her favorite spots in town is “looking out at the hillside at Rebel Stadium in the fall. The foliage is beautiful! I coach cheerleading for the New Fairfield Falcons so I am at the stadium a lot.”

With the retirement countdown on, Marylou reflected on her career which began with a job at “a publishing company right out of high school, while attending business classes at Westchester Community College. I went on to work for Texaco, Inc.’s legal department in New York, where I became supervisor of the legal support staff for both the litigation and corporate law departments. I never imagined I would someday find my way back to publishing.” After nearly three decades at the newspaper, including a decade of ownership, Marylou reflected on the breadth of time and wanted “to pay tribute to Bill and Ellen Burnett, owners of the Citizen News. I met Bill and Ellen in 1998 when I started as a staffer at the Citizen News. Later in 2016, I was given the opportunity to carry the paper forward as the Town Tribune. I am grateful to them, both. Being able to take the paper from pasteup to digital was very exciting and something I am most proud of. I still use the original waxer and boards today while laying out the paper each week. It gives me that feeling of nostalgia that I truly love.”  She went on to add thanks “to the Town Tribune staff for your many years of love and support. Through microbursts, hurricanes, and even a pandemic, your dedication, and hard work was an inspiration. You are the heart and soul of the paper, and I will miss you all more than you know.” To the NF Community Thrift Shop, she says, “you are a New Fairfield treasure, and I thank you for your many years of friendship and support.” To the residents of New Fairfield and Sherman, she extends thanks, “for your support, your appreciation, and your kindness over the years. The Citizen News/Town Tribune became my second home for 28 years, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing!”

Christine gives thanks to Marylou, “She thought of my family when she decided to sell the paper. If she had not asked our family, I never would have ended up here, so I am so grateful to her for this opportunity.” Christine’s life is about to change quite a bit as the Sports Editor position was a part time and work-from-home, while the new role will be much more encompassing. “Now I will be in the office 4 or 5 days a week managing the entire operation. I have obviously also expanded my role. I also suspect I will get to know a lot more people in town, which I look forward to.” She is excited for readers to continue to be loyal and enthusiastic and reminds everyone, “The best way residents can support us is to support our advertisers, share your news with us, and subscribe to the digital edition.”