One of our reporters, Melinda Quasius, logs her final hours for us here at the Times and I for one will sorely miss her and her wide range of journalism skills as well as the spirited sports discussions we've had in her stint in area code 47834.

Our good natured ribbing of her Wisconsin-bred feelings that Brett Favre is/was the second coming was always something to look forward to during the drizzly fall weekdays and chilled-to-the-bone winter afternoons.

I can't fault her for being a Cubs fan, as I, as a lifelong Reds fan have been brought up to scowl at all the 'Wait til next year' talk. But I certainly must give credit where it is due.

The girl knows her stuff.

The eternal devil's advocate, I've been frustrated at many a sports bar argument with someone who claims simply to be the trivia champion of the world, but who in reality doesn't know a Hail Mary from a hallelujah.

Melinda could certainly bury you under an avalanche (Her favorite hockey team by the way, and sorry by the way Melinda on their fate at the hands of the dreaded Red Wings) of facts that could back you into a corner if you didn't back up your opinion.

I'll definitely miss her ability to keep me sane, more or less, during the incessantly busy spring sports season.

Hers and Jason's sports knowledge has helped me extend The Brazil Times coverage of local sports to the best it's been in my time here. So I, and hopefully the community, recognize their efforts in plugging along for a few more hours in an already long work week to better the Times.

But what I think all of us will miss the most is the fact that she is a bit of fresh air and a kind soul in a world that seems to be sorely lacking at times in that category.

So I wish her and her fiancée a safe journey in their move to the grand East Coast, even though I, having been in Philadelphia quite a lot, can't bring myself to call New Jersey so grand.

I know she'll bring her new employers just as much talent and diligence as she brought us here. So I bid Miss Quasius a fine adieu and hopefully not a goodbye, but simply a til next time.

Rain, rain stay come back during a week day!

The weather just didn't seem to want to leave us race fans alone in April and now the forecasters are calling for the wet stuff to continue into the first weekend of May.

The fans have waited long enough for the Terre Haute Action Track (new and improved from the pictures I've seen) to re-open.

Now the rain has postponed the event until Sunday with hot laps beginning at 4 p.m.

The Midwest Sprint Car Series is slated to open the season for Terre Haute with pit gates opening at noon for the sprints only show.

The $3,000 to win show should provide an interesting field after USAC crews hit Brownstown for its Saturday show. With Kokomo also holding a special show, both tracks should get a talented field of drivers.

Congratulations go to DHK Promotions, which include Terre Haute businessman Brian Dorsett along with Davey Hamilton, familiar for his nine trips to compete in the Indy 500. Mike King, known as the voice of the 500 and the Indy Car Series, rounds out the promoters responsible for bringing the track back to life.

Sunday's race will be the Clabber Girl "Don Smith Classic" presented by Indiana State University.

Fans will be very pleasantly surprised to see all of the remarkable changes and improvements made to the track in such a short time.

Concrete barriers have replaced the guardrails and teams will be pitting in the infield so fans can be up close and personal to their favorite drivers.

The infield family pass has been brought back for $25 with single infield tickets just $10 apiece. Seats in the bleachers and grandstands range from $15 to $25.

Further details can be attained at: www.theactiontrack.com.