Today is a day of significant importance for all of us in the John H Watson Society, so I will not host a discussion forum, as is our usual custom.
On March 15, 2015, Donald Libey went beyond the terrace. That was one year ago today.
I haven’t lost sight of this day as it neared. I knew that, once the day arrived, I would want to mark this first anniversary in a significant way. Up until recently, I wasn’t certain of what exactly to do or say when this day arrived. Thankfully, I now know what I can offer everyone that will be the best for Don’s memory, for myself, and for the John H Watson Society:
As of today, I am stepping down as Carla Buttons.
It is important to me that I not lose sight of the fact that taking up this position was done to honor Don, his legacy, and his promises. Once “The Adventure of the Doctor and the Duellist” sees print this spring, we will have worked hard together to fulfill the last of Don’s promises that he made before his passing. I believe that this is the best time for me to step down and welcome new leadership, so that the John H Watson Society, as a community, will be able to focus ahead to whatever may come next.
This past year was one of the most memorable and exciting series of events in my life. Thank you all so much for your warmth, patience, and support. I offer my deepest gratitude to all who stood up and volunteered in the wake of tragedy, and my warmest respect to all who continue to work so hard to make the John H Watson Society such an active and welcoming community.
Although I am no longer a Buttons, I am still a “Carla” and I will continue to be an enthusiastic member of the JHWS. I intend to continue to do what I love so much: designing the JHWS publications, especially The Watsonian, for Pippin & his amazing Editorial team, as well as being an active member of our community.
Please join me in celebrating Don’s legacy by welcoming our third Buttons to assume the mantle. This is someone who I feel that most of you know and trust, someone who has put countless hours into ensuring that our community has a home here on the internet. Please show your support for our webmistress and dear friend to our community: Beth Gallego, JHWS Selena.
May we honor the memory of our dear Buttons by carrying on his warm enthusiasm for the good and loyal Dr Watson.
May we look to our future and raise a glass to welcome Selena Buttons!
Carla,
Shakespeare was correct when he wrote, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” So I offer a simple “Thank you for your service!”
Al Gregory, JHWS “Darwin”
Thanks, Darwin! 🙂
As much as I will be sad not to have you as Buttons, I know well how time-consuming and energy-draining such a role can be. We shall always be thankful to you for accepting the heavy responsability and carrying on Don’s legacy with energy and enthusiasm.
Welcome to Selena Buttons!
My eternal thanks to our wonderful Carla for her service this past year and her ongoing commitment to the JHWS. Don would be very pleased to see the growth in membership and the continued dedication of the many people that volunteer so generously to help keep our ship afloat.
Thank you Carla for you hard work. Selena Buttons, good luck from the Norwegian Explorers of Minnesota.
I’ve worked very closely with Carla as Buttons and as Associate Editor and Designer of JHWS publications and I like to think that, through this e-medium, we’ve become friends. Selfishly, I still have the pleasure of working closely with her on The Watsonian, so the loss of her as Buttons for me as a JHWS member is somewhat ameliorated.
“Compound of the Busy Bee and Excelsior. We can but try – the motto of the firm.” Thank you Carla Buttons for your past hard work and service; thank you Carla for your continuing hard work and service; welcome Selena Buttons, I look forward to our collaboration. There are a lot of busy bees here at the JHWS. Excelsior and cheers.
So many have repeated this that it must be true: Thank you, Carla, for stepping in and helping this group so well through its first year without the original Buttons, and welcome to Selena Buttons, who will surely continue the good work of her predecessors.
We owe so much to the many who’ve taken on the responsibilities and given the time to make this group as great as it is.
I had the opportunity to meet Don in Florida a few months before he passed beyond the Reichenbach. He was a fascinating and generous gentleman, and the JHWS is his living memorial.
Thank you, Carla.
Welcome, Selena.
Dusty
Thank you Carla for your service and for this lovely post. As did Les Klinger who dragged this 50 year lurker into the greater Sherlockian world, Don Libey made me feel so welcome in the JHWS early days and I’m so grateful to him for this. What a wonderful man.
The JHWS It’s a lovely haven for Sherlockians. Sending love your way, and to Beth as well, for taking on the job. All this work is done out of love, takes a lot of time, and I’m very grateful to you all.
I am in perpetual awe of CarlaButtons. She has done so much for the JHWS and made it look effortless, which means it was probably very, very difficult. I adored our Buttons and I am so grateful for all she has done to bring his amazing ideas to life. And to top it off, she is a great friend to me. I’m very lucky.
And speaking of luck, I’ve had opportunity to visit with SelenaButtons many times this past year as we worked on the Treasure Hunt postings together, and, from there, as Twitter-mates. [Not sure what the exact word for that is, but I kind of like “Twitter-mates”. ]. I know she will do a great job. She is smart and funny—a wonderful combination.
Carla,
Thank you for your work as Buttons, and thank you for introducing me to the John H. Watson Society. Welcome Selena Buttons.
Thanks for all your efforts on behalf of the JHWS, Carla. You have done a fine job keeping everything going and growing. I trust you will remain active active in things Watsonian (& Holmesian)and look forward to hearing from you as you have the time.