We would like to take this opportunity to thank Daralyse Lyons for her enthusiasm, dedication, and the tremendous impact she had on the Chestnut Hill Local. It is hard to put into words the transformative role she played, but we’re going to try anyway.

From her first few months as our business growth officer, to her elevation to publisher of the Local, to her very last day in that role, Dara worked tirelessly to make the Local a better newspaper for our community and a better place to work.

One of Dara’s many gifts is that she is a skilled communicator. From her outreach to readers via her “Idea Labs” to her seemingly endless meetings with community members and groups to collaborations with staff members, she listened, asked questions, and turned what she learned into action.

And she hit the ground running. She brought new ideas and opportunities to the Local. She took ideas and projects, which were stalled during the 10-month period the Local did not have a permanent publisher in place, and made them happen.

She was instrumental in bringing new staff members on board, including three new reporters, two summer interns, one fall intern, an interim editor, and a new sales rep. Her positivity and dynamic personality make her a great role model and inspire a sense of pride and purpose in what we do to bring the Local to the community each week.

We appreciate you, Dara, and realize what a tremendous asset you have been to the Local. We know that you will bring the same energy and skill to your future endeavors and are grateful for the time you spent with us. The best way we can honor your contributions to our organization and the effect you had on us as individuals is to follow the path you set and continue to strive to make the Local the best community paper possible.

With much respect, admiration and gratitude.

Blaise Brugger, Joanne Davis, Maggie Dougherty, Jason Hellmann, Amy Jacoby, Len Lear, Hannah Pilling, Samantha Gibb Roff, Leisha Shaffer, Tommy Tucker, George Ward, Abby Weiss