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.
