Photo of me interviewing Lt. Bill Bandy. Courtesy City of Salem's Facebook page. Probably taken by my friend Mike Stevens.

The word “so” may be used as an adverb, a conjunction, an adjective, and a pronoun.

1) Writing as a community journalist for the Roanoke Times has been so rewarding.

2) I’m not leaving the area, so please keep in touch with me if you’d like!

3) ‘Twas about one and a half years before Salem folks started to consistently use the phrase “Oh, that is SO Salem”

4) Yeah, it is a bittersweet career move, but unfortunately it had to be so. (Not sure about the usage on this one, but I’m going with it.)

Today was my last official day as the So Salem community journalist. And, yes, I’ve had to choke back some tears, especially since I have some wonderful co-workers (including Avery Eliades with SWoCo and Cathy Benson with The Botetourt View.)

As an English major graduate from the local and prestigious Roanoke College, I never thought I’d so flagrantly pepper my writing with such a word, but writing for a publication titled “So Salem” made it kind of appropriate and somewhat acceptable.

It has been an honor to meet so many wonderful Salem and Glenvar people over the last four and a half years. You’ve let me into your homes, your schools, your hangouts, and your lives.

Please feel free to follow me on Twitter @MirandaBeck (I’ll follow you back) or for those of you who don’t know me well enough to “friend” me on Facebook, you can subscribe to my public updates if you’d like to keep up with me. Next month I’ll be able to announce where my new work home will be.

And, for goodness’ sake – don’t stop sharing your news with So Salem – email news@sosalem.com with your news tips and your PHOTOS. Salem and Glenvar Football season is just around the corner (which, yes, I will definitely miss)!

All my best,

Miranda Beck