As a longtime volunteer for The Beacon (The Andover Beacon), I want to express my sadness to see The Beacon come to an end. I could see the “writing on the wall” over the last couple years, though. Times have changed, and the cost of printing a newspaper has become exorbitant!

I want to thank Charlie Darling, who trained me as an online volunteer many years ago. I think it was about 15 years ago that I went to see him at his Beacon office (downstairs in the Town Hall building) to see if I could help out in some way. Charlie began showing me how I could help him with online work. 

I took one look and said, “I can’t do that!” He smiled at me and said, “Oh yes you can!” And I did! I had worked in insurance for over 30 years and thought I knew about working on computers. I knew nothing when it came to publishing a newspaper. 

One day when I was working in the Beacon office and Charlie mentioned he would be taking a three-week vacation to Bhutan, I asked him, “Who will do your job of setting up articles while you are gone?” His reply to me was, “You will.” 

I put it off until I absolutely had to do it because I was so afraid of making mistakes. I did the job and I’m sure I made mistakes, but no one said anything. When Charlie returned, he finished and published the next issue. 

Charlie taught me a lot about computers, but mostly, he taught me to be brave and get out of my comfort zone. I will forever be grateful to him!

After Charlie retired, I worked with the next editor/publishers: Donnette McGill, Steve Foley, and Shelley Geoghegan together and, finally, just Shelley. I learned many tips from Steve but, in the end, Shelley was my guide! She was so patient with me. 

It seemed I was always calling Shelley for help with something. She is a diligent employee and a very kind person. I have loved working with her and am going to miss my monthly, online volunteer job!

Elizabeth (Beth) Frost

Andover