Heard the other day that Kingston favorite columnist was having a resurgence of the “C-word” and felt it was important to let her know how we feel.

In a word.

Blessed.

Hope she knows how much she means to the North Kitsap community, we thought. Well, we’d better just let her know, we decided.

After deciphering Sammy Quinn’s hand-written columns (with help from the Rosetta Stone), should be only natural we should start thinking like her and, yes, maybe even writing like her, too.

It’s interesting working with her and getting the inside scoop on what’s really going on in the little city by the sea. She typically doesn’t delve into the big issues, leaving that task up to the newsroom of the North Kitsap Herald, but instead keeps us all up to date on the day-to-day happenings.

Sammy is our throw-back to the days when small community news trickled in by way of correspondents. Those were the days of the Kitsap County Herald. The days of founder Peter Iverson and the days when avid housewives from Lemolo and Port Gamble to Hansville and Indianola would report on everything from broken arms, runaway cattle and marriages to community celebrations and births.

Looking through the old issues one might be tempted to laugh and say “how trivial” or ask “who cares?”

But it is important to realize that correspondents were the reporters of yesteryear. They informed everyone that small news is still news.

Sammy does the exact same thing but caters to a modern audience.

It’s really a unique gift if you think about it and it is one we are proud to share with our readers on a weekly basis. The spirit of our former correspondents lives on through her down-home feeling works.

As Sammy starts her long journey again. We want her to know that she won’t be alone.

If she falters, the community will be there to ensure that her next step is in the right direction.

That’s what good neighbors do.

That’s what good friends do.

In a few short days, yet another year will come to North Kitsap and the world. Sammy could be in for a tough time but we hope she continues to share her wisdom, experience and insight for years and years to come.

In today’s bustling society, few remember to stop and smell the roses or listen to the songs of robins. Sammy reminds us of the beauty around us, the beauty of everyday life that is so often overlooked.

So often forgotten.

Thanks for setting us straight.

Sammy Quinn is always talking about how much she loves angels but we don’t think she realizes that in the eyes of the community — she’s an angel to us all.