Transitions

A time of transition, a time of change: Annual graduations signify more than just a rite of passage. Changes of great magnitude, transformational, happen right on the heels of graduations, making them bittersweet for all those celebrating the successful conclusion of one phase of their lives. There are some friends left behind, some friends made for life. Some teachers who will never be forgotten, whose lessons will carry their graduates forward and inspire them to achieve good things for the rest of their lives. Others will be too soon forgotten. Congratulations and good luck to all the graduates of 2011. Whatever the best lessons of those years leading up to this culmination of achievement may be, hold them close, for they will give strength, joy and courage when it is most needed.This week brought sorrow to us at this newspaper. Please allow us to express that sadness briefly here: The Lakeville Journal Company’s Managing Partner for the last 16 years, A. Whitney Ellsworth, died on Saturday, June 18, after half a year of enduring pancreatic cancer. Find his obituary and an article on him in this issue. When he received his diagnosis in January, he called together a quick Monday morning meeting to inform all in the company. He made the announcement of his terminal illness in a straightforward way, taking care to make all those in the room comfortable, at ease, as he was himself. He was a wonderful mentor and a steadfast support for all of us at The Journal and had a way of regularly conveying warmth and respect to all his colleagues. He will be greatly missed. Whitney gave us the benefit of his wisdom, journalistic knowledge and integrity. He also showed us, sadly, how to face death with grace and courage.