It has been sweet because we've celebrated the promotion of one of our key staff members. It has been bitter because we're preparing to lose her.

You know Carol Jenkins as the staff member who puts together Bulletin Board, the feature that runs every week on the Free Time page. (The last one she produces runs today -- boo hoo!)

Bulletin Board is the most visible role Carol has played to readers, but she does so much more.

Carol, who has worked for the North Raleigh News for about five years, is both the designer and copy editor for the section. Those hybrid skills got the attention of the N&O's Nation/World section editors, who decided to steal her from us.

I could bore you with the responsibilities of a copy editor and designer, but that wouldn't really explain to you what Carol does, anyway. In a nutshell, she makes the section happen each week.

If a story comes in too long or too short, Carol rejiggers and rejiggers until everything fits. She may grouse about all the rejiggering, but I've learned to calmly ignore her grousing because, in the end, she works her magic and it all comes together.

Carol makes sure all the grammar and spelling is correct and all that. But that understates her role. She was born in North Raleigh and has lived there pretty much all her life. She knows the area, the people and the issues well. If a reporter is on shaky ground when writing about North Raleigh, it's unlikely it will get by Carol.

Her familiarity with North Raleigh also allows her to come up with good ideas for stories.

Carol makes me look smart. When I can't think of a blessed thing to write about in this column, I will sometimes turn to her and say, "You have any ideas for my column?"

Usually, she does. And now that she's moving on, I might was well admit I've gotten some of my best ideas from her.

The only silver lining in all of this is that we are getting an experienced journalist to replace Carol.

Michelle Valenzuela is currently an editor at The N&O but will be switching roles. Michelle also lives in North Raleigh.

You can welcome her next week. Meanwhile, congrats to Carol in her new role.