Today was a surreal day as a journalist for @LancasterOnline. I went to the newsroom for the first time in 11 weeks. This building in downtown Lancaster closed weeks ago because of COVID-19 but we've continued our work remote.

I came to the @lancasteronline newsroom today because we’re moving offices. It is not lost to me that nearly 40 million people have lost their jobs since the pandemic began.

Tens of thousands of journalists have been laid off, furloughed or had their pay cut during this pandemic. Many people are packing up boxes and not moving to a new office.

I packed up stuff today but journalism isn’t about stuff. For me, it’s about people, people who are willing to open their lives up to strangers.

It’s about learning new things about the world every day and sharing what you’ve learned.

It’s about the people you work beside, even remote. Each one of these desks belonged to someone who has taught me a lot.

What did I find? A poncho. I have a raincoat in my trunk but this is a backup. Interviews still happen in the rain. Think an umbrella works? Try holding an umbrella and taking notes. Try holding an umbrella in high winds.

I covered @messiahcollege’s graduation at my first internship at the Carlisle Sentinel ( @cumberlink) and came back with a horrible sunburn. So now, sunscreen’s in the car and in the desk too.

Newsrooms are cold. Offices are cold. (That’s based on decades-old themal models focused on men.) This black cardigan has helped when the a/c turns on in February. It’s so boring, it doesn’t clash with anything.

Did you know the newspapers preceding @lancasteronline go back to 1794? The name for 225th anniversary (celebrated last year) is quasquibicentennial. Try to say that three times fast.

When you’re a reporter in Pennsylvania Dutch country, you get the details on who makes pork and sauerkraut dinners (for this story https://lancasteronline.com/features/why-pennsylvania-dutch-country-eats-pork-and-sauerkraut-on-new/article_12fce704-0aba-11e9-b6af-c3c19c9882d9.html)

If you have to go to court or a funeral last minute, a jacket and a black T-shirt will help, especially if you expected to be spending the day at a farm. Pivot!

I still don’t understand why pica sticks are still hanging around newsrooms in 2020. They do make a great thwack sound when you smack your desk with one.

A solid pen with some weight is good for taking notes at your desk. Do not attempt to take this on an interview or it will slow you down.

This is where the rotating system of folders stuffed with archived stories, photos and negatives used to be. On its last legs, it required flashlights and a drill. Our last librarian Kim Gommell knows so much about local history.

Never hesitate to pick up your Thin Mints. I waited through a maternity leave last year and now a pandemic to get my cookies. I am getting them day #1 next year. Thanks @stephkanavy!

How old is this newsroom? These pneumatic tubes used to send copy between departments. Also: Twitter reminder in the background.

So proud of this pun. Could not convince anyone to keep it in the final version. #scrappled