Change can be a time of sadness and exuberance, as we bid farewell to one chapter and open up another.

Here at the Sounder, our long-time employee Gail Anderson-Toombs is retiring after seven years of administration and circulation management for our three island newspapers. Her creativity, hard work, green thumb and compassion have been an integral part of our team. As we’ve weathered changes, Gail has been a steadfast supporter and we thank her for all of her efforts.

We now welcome her replacement, Nicole Matisse Duke, into the fold. She moved to Orcas in 2011 and has been involved in a variety of projects at such places as Doe Bay and Orcas Center. Nicole holds a Master of Business Administration and has a background in personal wealth management and public relations. She lives on Orcas with her husband Dwight Duke and their white lab Daisy. Please say hi to Nicole at our office on Main Street. She will be handling our circulation and administration department.

Cali Bagby has been promoted to editor and sales rep of the Islands’ Weekly on Lopez Island. This promotion comes with much excitement and responsibility, as Cali will be serving the community in full. This encompasses managing editorial content and helping business owners with their advertising needs. She will continue to work as a reporter and web editor at the Islands’ Sounder.

Phil Hankins has joined the San Juan Island news group as a sales representative. His territory is predominantly in Anacortes, but he will be serving the Journal of the San Juan Islands, The Islands’ Weekly and the Island’s Sounder.

His goal is to “help people and make a difference.” Phil is an incredible asset to our team. He has worked at the Arkansas Gazette and as a radio DJ in Hawaii during his many travels across the country.

– Colleen Smith Armstrong, Sounder editor and publisher

– Roxanne Angel, Journal and Weekly publisher