Welcome to our new moderator, Dave Marsland

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Sara Stegar, our latest 4th moderator, decided a couple of months ago that personal circumstances required her to devote more time to the home front and wanted to be relieved of moderator responsibilities. Sorry as we were to lose her, we had to comply with her wishes. Tom, Laura, and I decided to wait til the first of the year to make any decisions about a new moderator. I believe we have made a great decision to offer the role to Dave. He is an active participator on the Trail, and his knowledge and appreciation of southern literature matches many of our members. Happily he accepted! He is ready and willing to join the three of us as moderator, and I know you will all join me in welcoming him. We look forward to a great reading year in 2023!

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I’m so excited Dave agreed to take on the new role. We all know Sara still adds much to our discussions and we understand home life comes first. Dave will continue to add some fine discussion to our group. I will anxiously be awaiting his first moderator selection for March.

[Howard]

Dave,

You are a worthy successor to Sara, one of the Trail's most competent and talented members. You and I have been reading the same books on the South for a good while, so like Laura, I'm looking forward to your first moderator selection.

[Cheryl Carroll]

Welcome to the moderator table, Dave!

Sara, I am so glad to hear that you will still be around participating in the reads when you can.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

I'm delighted that Dave agreed to join the moderator team and can't wait to see what he will choose as his first Moderator's Choice selection will be in March.

[Lori]

Dave, you”ll be a great addition to the team. I also wish Sara the best and know we will see her around.

[Sara]

I could not be more thrilled with the choice of Dave for moderator and excited that he accepted the offer. He is going to be a great asset, and like everyone else, I am looking forward to his moderator picks, since he knows this genre inside out.

I appreciate everyone's good wishes and thoughts for me. I will continue to participate as much as I can in group discussions. The Trail is, and always will be, one of my favorite groups on GR.

P.S. I'm guessing Tom will be glad not to be outnumbered. lol.

[Wyndy]

Welcome aboard, Dave! I’m sure Mike would be as pleased having you as a moderator as he was with our other esteemed leaders. Looking forward to your increased involvement on The Trail. Try not to feel any extra pressure over that first Mod Choice 😂

[Cathrine ☯️]

Sara wrote: "P.S. I'm guessing Tom will be glad not to be outnumbered. lol."

Lol! I thought the same thing. We love you Sara.

Completely thrilled about your acceptance Dave. Looking forward to your picks.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Sara wrote: "P.S. I'm guessing Tom will be glad not to be outnumbered. lol..."

Do you mean that I won't be the only Yankee anymore?

[Terry]

Thanks for stepping up, Dave!

[Sue]

Thank you to Sara and Dave and all the other moderators. I'm thankful for all that you do.

[♥ Sandi ❣]

Welcome to your new position Dave.

Looking forward to your posts Sara.

[Connie]

Welcome, Dave! I've been enjoying your comments on the Trail and your reviews so you are a great addition to the moderator team.

Sara, it will be a big plus when you can read the selections along with us. Good luck with your family responsibilities.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

Thanks Diane, Tom and Laura for such a warm welcome. I’m humbled that you would consider me for this role. Also a big thanks to Lawyer Stevens for starting the Trail, and to Sara Stegar for being such a fabulous moderator. You’ve left big shoes to fill.
I’ve spent most of my life living in Manchester, a city famous for music, football (at this point I should call it soccer) and rain. I’m a huge fan of the first two, less so rain. Although it does have it’s uses as it’s conducive to reading. A few years back my love of short stories led me to Flannery O’Connor, and that proved to be a Damascene moment. I was transfixed by the world she created and by the people who occupied it. From there I discovered William Gay, then Ron Rash and my journey in Southern literature had started.
Joining the Trail made me realise how little I knew about Southern literature, and it’s been an absolute pleasure discovering so many brilliant writers. Not only that, but in the company of warm, generous friends. I thank you all.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

Laura wrote: "I’m so excited Dave agreed to take on the new role. We all know Sara still adds much to our discussions and we understand home life comes first. Dave will continue to add some fine discussion to ou..."

Thanks Laura, this is going to be fun!

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

Howard wrote: "Dave,

You are a worthy successor to Sara, one of the Trail's most competent and talented members. You and I have been reading the same books on the South for a good while, so like Laura, I'm looki..."
Thank you so much Howard, that means so much to me. It's been a joy reading the same books as you and sharing the experience.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

Cheryl Carroll wrote: "Welcome to the moderator table, Dave!

Sara, I am so glad to hear that you will still be around participating in the reads when you can."
Thank you, Cheryl.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

Tom wrote: "I'm delighted that Dave agreed to join the moderator team and can't wait to see what he will choose as his first Moderator's Choice selection will be in March."
Big thanks Tom, I'm looking forward to this.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

Lori wrote: "Dave, you”ll be a great addition to the team. I also wish Sara the best and know we will see her around."
Thanks Lori! I agree it's great to know that Sara will be around.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

Sara wrote: "I could not be more thrilled with the choice of Dave for moderator and excited that he accepted the offer. He is going to be a great asset, and like everyone else, I am looking forward to his moder..."
I can't thank you enough for those kind words, Sara. We are all thinking of you and I really hope you get time to join in the group discussions.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

Wyndy wrote: "Welcome aboard, Dave! I’m sure Mike would be as pleased having you as a moderator as he was with our other esteemed leaders. Looking forward to your increased involvement on The Trail. Try not to f..."

Thanks Wyndy! Pressure for my first Mod Choice? Na. I'm not vacillating in the slightest 🤔

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "Sara wrote: "P.S. I'm guessing Tom will be glad not to be outnumbered. lol."

Lol! I thought the same thing. We love you Sara.

Completely thrilled about your acceptance Dave. Looking forward to yo..."

Big thanks Cathrine.

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

Terry wrote: "Thanks for stepping up, Dave!"

Yay, thanks Terry!

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

Sue wrote: "Thank you to Sara and Dave and all the other moderators. I'm thankful for all that you do."

Thanks Sue, I'm going to try my best🤞

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

♥ Sandi ❣ wrote: "Welcome to your new position Dave.

Looking forward to your posts Sara."

Thanks Sandi

[Dave, "Red Sammy"]

Connie wrote: "Welcome, Dave! I've been enjoying your comments on the Trail and your reviews so you are a great addition to the moderator team.

Sara, it will be a big plus when you can read the selections along ..."
Awe thanks Connie.