I hear people complain all the time about how the “new” people coming into town have no respect for Newburyport and are destroying the place.

Well, I know a bunch of folks that I call the “good newbies.” And I like them a whole lot.

I know a whole bunch of “good newbies” who adore this place and want to do right by Newburyport, MA.

On a warm summers day at the end of my block you can see a bunch of “good newbies” gathered together. They maybe waving a new edition of “The Undertoad” around, saying things like, “Hey, Mary’s in the Undertoad this week.” The “good newbies” I know read the Undertoad to find out what’s going on in our fair city. I think a few of them check out the Newburyport Political Blog. And then of course there is the Newburyport Current, becoming the “go to” newspaper, the “alternative” newspaper, full of “meat” to find out the important stuff happening in Newburyport, MA.

Well, look at Sarah White and Steve Rudolph, two really great “good newbies.” They’ve stepped up to the plate big time, not only with Save Our Town, but with the Newburyport Preservation Trust. Downright smart, energetic, deeply caring and full of integrity. Definitely “good newbies.”

And there’s Ulrika Gerth, the editor of the Newburyport Current. A great “good newbie” if there ever was one. Not only does she put out a “meaty” newspaper every week, but she’s “fearless” in what she reports on. Talk about an impassioned “good newbie” who not only cares deeply about Newburyport, MA, but knows about it and puts it all in print. Good grief.

I’ve told Ms Gerth she better not think about leaving Newburyport, MA. We need her too much. Forget this climbing up the ladder stuff or moving to someplace else. We want her to stick around until she becomes an “old newbie.”

I’m here 25 years (a quarter of a century) and I’m an “old newbie,” never a “native.” My son is a “native.” But whether all the “natives” born from “old newbies” value their very valuable “nativeness,” remains to be seen.

Anyway, there are a lots and lots of “good newbies” out there. And if you are feeling discouraged about the “new” people who have moved in, go on a “good newbie” treasure hunt. I promise you, they are all around us.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport