Sun-Gazette staffer retires after 52-year career
Trending
Fifty-two years working for her local community newspaper has brought many rewards, says long-time Williamsport Sun-Gazette employee Connie Tobias.
And so it is that the end of February brought the next stage of life for Connie as she steps into retirement.
Connie began her career with the Williamsport Sun-Gazette in 1970.
When asked about her career, she said, "I've seen many changes. I started in the classified advertising department typing on manual Underwood and Royal typewriters, then the IBM electrics and ultimately a series of keyboards based on the computer upgrades. I actually wore the first pants suit to work and was told not to wear it again!"
The Sun-Gazette, Connie continued, "went from 54 inches wide to the current 22 inches. Our typesetters went from a type of ticker tape composing to computer direct to film before today's digital technology. Our press went from using huge negatives burned onto aluminum plates to computer-direct plates. Went from an afternoon newspaper to a morning paper and then added a Sunday edition."
Connie has served in many roles at the paper - she's worn many hats, as they say.
She was appointed company secretary early in her career and worked under the business manager and president, and then under the publisher. She ultimately transitioned to Human Resources Manager.
"We will miss Connie. Her work ethic and her dedication to the newspaper and our readers is second to none. She's always been our 'go-to' person on so many things at the Sun-Gazette. Over the years she has organized employee luncheons, gatherings outside of the office, newspaper promotions and sponsored events. She's been tireless," said Publisher Bob Rolley.
While being a part of the Sun-Gazette team, Connie has also long volunteered with numerous community organizations, including but not limited to the Kiwanis Club of Williamsport; Lycoming County Brotherhood Alliance; Williamsport Soap Box Derby, and was coordinator of Taste of Home Shows and various newspaper-sponsored events at Lycoming Mall.
Connie, in fact, was among the team of volunteers who brought back Soap Box Derby races to Williamsport in 2010 and remains involved today. Connie also was a co-founder of the annual Santa's Seniors holiday gift giving campaign.
The Sun-Gazette, Connie said, "has long been a great and accountable source for bringing local news to our communities and will continue to do so into the future.
"I have met and worked with many wonderful people during my time here and I've actually grown up with many who have already retired," she said. "Yes, it will be sad leaving but I will be happily looking toward the next adventure life brings."
Connie's duties are being taken over in the interim by Rolley, as well as Operations Manager Anthony Segraves and Business Manager James Profeta.