I send my condolences to the Cape Gazette family for the sad loss of Trish Vernon, a rock on whom I’m sure all of you relied.
I’d like to add this brief anecdote about Trish Vernon to what I’m sure are many tributes to her.
When I was a novice reporter at the Coast Press, a weekly newspaper that competed with The Whale, where Trish worked, I attended my first Rehoboth Beach commissioners meeting, at a total loss about what was going on. Seeing someone with a notepad in the front row, I assumed that was for the press, so I took a seat right next to Trish, whom I had never met.
As the meeting moved along, with commissioners and the city manager raising all sorts of arcane, complex topics, Trish must have perceived my dismay at not having any idea what they were talking about. So she leaned over and whispered to me the gist of each mystifying topic, clueing me in on what role each speaker had, and generally giving me a Cliffs Notes introduction to Rehoboth politics – all the while taking notes for her own story.
Trish could have chosen to let me flounder, being a representative of a competing newspaper. But her kindness, her perception of my need for help, was a hallmark of Trish Vernon. As well stated in your Nov. 3 editorial, Trish was a vital driving force in our community. She was smart, committed and compassionate. The Cape Region will miss her.
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