All things must change to something new, to something strange. -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Newtown Bee is experiencing changes, and as poet Longfellow noted, not only are some new, but they feel a bit strange. The advent of a new editor, since May 20, required adjustments on the part of staff as we rebooted the hard drives of how we had functioned under the guidance of longtime editor, Curtiss Clark.

No doubt readers have observed a change in the editorials, with a different twist on issues to ponder, random thoughts, and praise for much of the excellence that makes up our town. Our staff has grown with the addition of another reporter, and yet another new voice bringing readers the news.

Online readers noticed a change in our website this past year.

Necessity is the catalyst for change, in many cases, and is the impetus for still more change underway at

The Bee.

The paper is currently rebooting its entire content management and production system. This new system will allow us to continue to bring readers the news they need, more efficiently. The physical paper will not appear remarkably different, but the processes that translate words from pen to print will be a positive change, behind the scenes.

The last time

The Bee experienced a technical change of this magnitude was in 1999. We implemented those updates with a fair amount of grace, and are confident we can do so again, with equal aplomb. There may be bumps along the way, and we hope that our subscribers and online readers will be patient as we adapt.

Workflow will be as strange as it is new, on our end, during this transition, but readers can expect complete coverage to continue as we juggle training with our duties. Staff is on hand to respond during regular working hours - and then some. We do expect to have to tweak some of our regular routines, but plan to do so in a manner that is least disruptive for those who share their stories with us.

We are anxious to embrace this particular change. A system that allows us to work more quickly and capably to benefit readers - whether it is the subscriber who likes to spread our broadsheet all across the table and casually peruse it, or the reader who prefers to absorb us in selective bites via stories at newtownbee.com - will be welcomed.

How change is handled in day-to-day situations, as well as more trying situations, speaks to the spirit of the people involved. As could be expected, there is plenty of spirit in the worker Bees who bring you news every day, and every week.

Our goal is for this changeover to be as seamless as possible, and we thank our readers in advance for pardoning any minor glitches encountered along the way.