It was a festive atmosphere as current and former staffers celebrated our continued collective survival. This is part of the scene in the main room as managing editor Dave Shapiro asked, "How many of you thought we would still be publishing today?" A few people clapped.

Then he asked, "How many of you think we'll still be publishing a year from now?" And the room burst into cheers and applause.

Watch out, Gannett!

Murphy's knows how to prepare a feast. Turkey, chicken, salmon, salads, pastries, and assorted other goodies were devoured, and vast quantities of other substances were emptied from raised glasses throughout the night. Possibly not altogether politically correct, but I don't think anybody worried about it.

Photographer Dennis Oda is enthusiastic about the two movie tickets he won as a door prize, although he was scheduled to go on duty in just a few hours to cover the early morning start of the Honolulu Marathon. Meanwhile his partner, design wizard and former city editor Lucy Young-Oda, has the knowing look of someone who had already won a gift certificate for a serious shopping spree. What luck!

Last but not least, that is yours truly, 2nd from the left, partially hidden behind Dennis' happy face. And that's my other half, criminologist and professor of Women's Studies, Meda Chesney-Lind, across the table in the red shirt.