When I graduated from Mary Baldwin College in May 1999, I knew I wanted to work for a newspaper. I'd actually known I wanted to work for a newspaper for many years before I graduated, but now I really had the chance to make that dream happen.

And so I went to work for a chain of community newspapers, where I learned many different facets of the business. I was a copy editor, a reporter and an acting assistant editor. I discovered half of what I learned in school was applicable to real life, and I quickly picked up things along the way.

In November 2002, I gave birth to my daughter, Gaby. Three days before she was born, I'd covered a community meeting. I took off three months for maternity leave, and went back to work. It was hard, and I wasn't always sure I was doing things the best way, but it was the way things worked for us.

In 2004, I joined Patuxent Publishing as the assistant editor for Soundoff!, the contract newspaper at Fort Meade. I moved to the Howard County newsroom in 2006, and to The View in early 2007, when the paper was purchased by Patuxent Publishing.

And I have very much enjoyed my time here at The View, learning about all of you in the communities we cover. I have enjoyed hearing your stories, rejoicing in your triumphs and highlighting your struggles. The last year and a half have brought a lot of growing pains, and I'd like to think we've come through them with much to show for our efforts.

But it's time for me to move on. Once again, I find myself pregnant and due in November. Gaby is beginning kindergarten in the fall, and my husband is now in a position where he is traveling more frequently.

I said when I took this position that I would give all that I have to the community, because that's what you deserve in your newspaper editor. The juggling act between work and home life has become harder of late, and it's now time for me to move in a different direction, which includes staying at home with my growing family as well as working as a freelance writer.

I am pleased to tell you all that Mary Robbins Phelan will become The View editor July 14. Mary is a long-time Patuxent employee, working for a time as a reporter in the Howard County Times newsroom. In her current position, she is editor of the Jeffersonian, a Baltimore County publication.

Mary is energetic and knowledgeable, and will bring new ideas and enthusiasm to The View. And I feel confident knowing that I've left you all, and the paper, in good hands. I hope you will welcome her the way you welcomed me, and that you will continue to contact the paper to have your stories told.

It has been a pleasure being able to cover your communities, and I will miss meeting so many of you and hearing about your lives. I'll be here until July 11 and as always, you can e-mail me at ssarino@ theviewnewspapers.com or call me at 410-480-0816; after that, contact Mary at mrobbins@patuxent.com with all issues concerning the paper.

-- Shannon Baylis Sarino

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