Hit the dirt, hit the ball, hit the sack, hit the highway for your final blue-ribbon edition of Port Townsend Observation Deck News Around Town.

T-SHIRT SAYING OF THE WEEK: “I may hate that I ever said that, but I doubt it.”

FAREWELL NEWS: I took to The Leader’s “Observation Deck” soon after I began work here March 20, 1989 as news editor. Figured I would stay five years, but then life happened: wife, instant family, a mini-van, baby, house addition, etc. The Leader has been a second family, too often keeping me away from home, a sacrifice made to defend freedom of the press. I have crossed paths with many fine people, sometimes at 1/500th of a second, sometimes just once and sometimes again. I’ve even taken photos of a third generation of kids. Thousands of meetings, sporting events, show and shines, festivals, fairs, Chautauquas, charettes, dog-and-pony shows, and even a few circuses not taking place in government buildings. Now, it’s time for a change from what I've been doing since high school, and a new career opportunity has presented itself. This is my last Observation Deck. Thanks to you and yours for being part of my journey and occasionally for being the news around town.

PROPANE NEWS: There has been a lot of chatter around this season about propane prices. Propane is an essential commodity not regulated by the government. A propane company charges whatever it wants. Consumers, too, can shop around for per-gallon price and service. Seven propane companies serve this side of the Hood Canal Bridge. Which one wants your business the most?

CARING NEWS: "We've been to 54 countries,” says someone already traveling again. “We go to places like Los Angeles and New Jersey, and people just don't care about other people. There's too much pressure and too few resources. I get the impression around here that people do care.”

ADVICE OF THE WEEK: The 3 C's of Life: Choices, Chances and Changes. You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change.

FUNKY NEWS IV: Funky is as funky was, like breakfast at The Landfall with Rob (1980s-1990s). Childhood funky was avoiding the posts at a roller-skating birthday party at Hot Wheels West (pre-2000). The Rhododendron Festival has its share of funky moments, including Roma Inn patrons who would step out to the parade route and pour beer in passing tubas (1971), and the seven-year run of the Lawn Chair Precision Drill Team (2006). Funky was nighttime at End of the World before it was officially off limits (2013). Funky was being a Town Tavern guy but hanging with mill-worker friends at the Hilltop Tavern when Jack Scott was wailing on his guitar (1979). Funky was dancing on a table at the last wedding reception hosted on the second floor when the Elks Building downtown was still the Elks Building (1989). It was my wedding. Some say Port Townsend can’t afford funky anymore. I say, funk is where you make it.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If you want people to come with you on your mission,” says a man who has worked in the marine trades up and down the coast, “they have to be empowered, be happy and be paid well.”

(Patrick J. Sullivan exits the Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader after 28 years for a career change as director of communications for Joe D’Amico and Security Services Northwest, a Jefferson County company. However, you have not heard the last news around town.)