Dang

Some time during the run-up to the presidential election, I made the acquaintance of reporter Kate Elizabeth Queram—on Twitter. I asked a question about a piece recounting one of Trump’s campaign rallies. She had also covered one, so she responded. She answered all my questions and I started following her, as one does. 

Over time I discovered that she had a wicked sense of humor, and could live-tweet a government  meeting like nothing you have ever seen before. I found myself deliberately going to twitter to follow along with her work for the Greensboro News and Record. I pleaded with her to move to Howard County and live-tweet County Council meetings.

I would even bring her snacks, I joked. We shared a twitter laugh at the prospect.

I almost had my wish. In an unexpected set of circumstances, she relocated with her spouse to Maryland and found herself job hunting. One morning I woke to discover her name in the Howard County Times. Oh, the glee I experienced contemplating the popcorn-worthy public meetings ahead!

HoCo Times threw her right into the deep end covering the student walkouts. She showed her mettle. Next a meeting of the county council and BOE. Locals were taking notice. Last night I reached out to her to see if she would be covering the Battle of the Books. (I still miss former HoCo Times reporter Sara Toth’s enthusiastic coverage of this annual local event.)

It was not to be. Almost as soon as Ms. Queram accepted the HoCoTimes position, she got an interview for a job which is much better suited to her qualifications and experience. I don’t know where that is yet, but, whoever they are, they are very, very lucky.

I was feeling a bit proud there. Maybe a little smug. I had single-handedly recruited an insanely talented journalist all the way from North Carolina. It was going to be so, so great. Alas, she got away. The biggest catch I will ever be in the position to brag about is gone, just like that. Even in the world of BaltSun/HoCoTimes/tronc this is a record.

Dang. 

I wish Ms. Queram the best. She is extremely good at what she does and we are fortunate that she even passed through town. 

And now back to cheering for all the over-worked, underpaid  journos who are tag-teaming our local coverage. We need them. We are incredibly lucky that they stick with us for as long as they do.