On June 1, The Bulletin newspaper, where I spent over two years as Arts & Culture Editor, printed its last newspaper. Although no one could pretend to be surprised — late checks, unpaid freelancers, minimal advertising and visits from the PNC finance manager portended the eventual closing — the news still came as a shock. The publisher called an unexpected meeting at around 4:15 p.m., read a few sentences of a prepared statement, then proceeded to tell the staff that June 1 was their last paper. No “goodbye and good luck” issue, nothing. They were to pack up their desks and go home.
    For most, going home meant going to the local bar around the corner, where I met my former co-workers — having taken a job at the Philadelphia Museum of Art just one month ago — for drinks one last time. Everyone was several rounds in by the time I arrived, and feeling little pain as they downed drinks, talked to reporters from rival newspapers around town — the Philadelphia Inquirer broke the news — and commiserated.