Nearly one year ago this week, I was fortunate enough to read a “help wanted” ad posted here on Mickey News. Since then, I was given the ability to share my knowledge and opinions regarding Tourism, Walt Disney World, and Central Florida in general.

Here through my “All Ears on Central Florida” weekly column, I have been given a channel to make vacations easier and to create more awareness of what Central Florida has to offer. Of course, none of this would have been possible without two very important people.

First and foremost, I have to thank my wife. Simply put, had it not been for her this column would have never existed: literally. It was her who first spotted the Mickey News site, as well as the “help wanted” ad. More than that, however, she has helped me week after week; from hunting down facts on the Internet to making time each week to patiently wait for me during my writing time. Even though I would spend a lot of time each week on articles, she would still support me week by week in this endeavor.

The other person I would like to thank here is Gavin, the site’s webmaster and owner. Without his belief in me and my column, none of this would have ever happened. I also need to give a great deal of thanks to his patience in regards to last-minute article submissions, as well as those instances where there wasn’t any time to write. To be sure, any other editor could have easily canned my column or at the very least sent me a nasty message after such incidents. Gavin never did.

By now you’re probably wondering as to why I would be ending my time here at Mickey News.

Back in early November, after several weeks of struggles with time and our changing lives back here in Central Florida, I decided that I should start to plan my exit from this column.

The main factor in all of this was my new position in a major tourism organization here in Central Florida. The time devoted to my new position, along with time I wanted to spend with my wife enjoying our new lives, left little time for the weekly requirements of this column.

To compound matters was my own perfectionist attitude, of which I often wonder whether it’s a benefit to me or a hindrance. Almost on a weekly basis, I would spend ever-increasing amounts of time writing the articles for each week. I felt that my readers deserved a great, not just good, article each week in terms of both length and quality. I hope I have delivered.

While this is the last formal article by me, it is by no means the end to my “All Ears on Central Florida” column.

Knowing my time on this column was coming to a close, I went on an informal search to find someone I felt could “carry on the torch” so to speak. “All Ears on Central Florida” should and will continue.

I wanted someone who could not only write well and in an interesting manner, but who had a passion for Disney with a pro-active attitude. I also had to have someone who would have time each week to devote themselves to great articles.

Finding someone with all of those characteristics was tough, but if possible, I wanted to also have someone who physically had access to Central Florida and Walt Disney World on a regular basis. After all, periodic updates on the Walt Disney World Resort are an integral part of “All Ears on Central Florida.”

Most of all, I wanted to have someone that I myself would look forward to reading on a weekly basis.

Well, I am happy to announce that I have found everything I was looking for in someone to take over the column.

With that said, it gives me great pleasure to introduce you to the new “All Ears on Central Florida” columnist, Melissa Kratish.

Melissa is currently a rising sophomore at my alma mater, the University of Central Florida. Based on her work that I’ve read, she has the writing ability I was looking for, as well as the ability to write in an interesting manner.

She is an avid Disney fan, and definitely has the passion for the subject that I was looking for. In fact, she has plenty of “can do” attitude as well; she actually founded the first Disney fan club in the University of Central Florida’s history!

I know that in future weeks you will find Melissa’s articles as interesting as I will. I am proud to have Melissa take over for me.

With that said, I guess it’s time to say so long for myself. It won’t be the last time you’ll hear from me, however. I’ll be popping in every now and then with some surprise articles, so stay tuned to the Mickey News Newsletter. In addition, I’m hoping to have more interactions with you all on the Mickey News Message Boards. I would also like to hear from you all (at the e-mail address link located at the top of the page) as to what you liked about the column, as well as what you didn’t like.

...and the next time you’re on vacation here in Central Florida, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll run into me. Of course, you probably won’t know it’s me.

So in the meantime, be sure to check out this column next week when Melissa will be starting up as the columnist here; I know that I certainly will.

So until then, as I’ve always said,

Thanks for stopping on by...

...and Melissa will see you next week!