Wow, what a great experience it has been serving as your local Patch editor. Thanks for inviting me to be part of your "village," the Redmond Patch community that Caitlin Moran so expertly launched here three years ago and nurtured with great care and professionalism.
As the classic saying goes, though, the only thing that is constant is change, and so it is with a sad but full heart that I bid you farewell, at least on this news site.
Many of you have heard rumors, or talked with me on the phone about coming changes at Patch, but for those who haven't heard, Patch is undergoing an important transition that I sincerely hope will make it stronger.
For now, that transition includes me. My last day with the company is Tuesday, Oct. 15.
As for me, with a few extra weeks on the job, I've spent a lot of time agonizing over how to say goodbye to you, all of you, so many of you who have helped me, and supported both me and the Patch model. Though I am leaving, I am so happy to report that the site will remain open, so I hope you will continue to share your community news, your informative and entertaining blog posts, and community events with your thousands of local neighbors.
As for you all, you've shown your faith in and dedication to our community from when I began as a freelancer working with Caitlin to profile community members, from city council members, to a young woman looking to make a 'green' difference, to Redmond's first Poet Laureate. As your editor, I've seen firsthand how the Redmond community pulls together to seek ways to support families displaced by fires, to celebrate art and community, and to speak your minds plainly on a variety of topics. I love all of that about our community!
I asked our Facebook fans what they've liked about Patch so far, and here's what some of them have said:
- "I have enjoyed all of the new restaurant announcements!"
- "I often got news from you before other sources and I especially appreciated news from you that was important to this community that regular news sources wouldn't report on."
- "I don't have a favorite Patch moment, I enjoyed it all. It's been a great way to be informed in community events; better than the news tribune! Thank you for all that you have done in our community."
- "I look forward to my various Patch news every day!"
- "My favorite Patch moments have been getting to know the Patch folks, like Jeanne, Greg, Caitlin, Venice and Margaret. Having you folks at MamaCon, blogging for you and hanging with the NY Patch folks at the National PTA conference last year."
- "Thanks to Patch for being responsive to questions and giving us' news' that was still 'new'."
How do you say goodbye to the friendship of a great community? Well, you don't. I'm not sure where I will land yet, but I know Redmond is a place that I will remain close to--as this Eastern Washington native calls it, my "new" Eastside. My brother lives in Redmond, I'm a stone's throw from town, and my dog, Minnie (a Motley Zoo Rockstar), and I have spent many wonderful hours walking here on the Sammamish River Trail.
If you'd like to stay in touch with me, I hope you will send me a friend request or message on Facebook, connect with me on LinkedIn or twitter, or email me at my Patch email today (Monday) so I can send you my 411. Meanwhile, the sites will stay open for you to share your news--now more than ever, it takes a village. Your newsletters will continue to be delivered daily to your email inbox, and Patch currently plans to maintain the Facebook pages so you can continue to have a dialogue there as well.
And so, I leave you with a classic song from the Beatles, because for me, it's not goodbye. I wish you all hello, and I'm looking forward to the next chapter. I leave Patch very proud and satisfied to have been a small part of redefining how we gather and share information with each other as a community.
Cheers,
Jeanne
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.