Introducing 'Dispatches'

Every day, the national media is full of stories about how American families, businesses, and neighbors are adjusting to these trying times. There are so many changes happening so fast that it's dizzying: national debates about unemployment, foreclosures, debt, religion, government and private enterprise all touch on fundamental ways in which we see ourselves and our communities. At Patch, we want to explore that conversation on a daily basis so we can better understand how our neighbors are adjusting to the challenges and opportunities that surround us.

We don't think there's one American Dream, but a multitude of American Dreams which a multitude of people are working toward. Looking out across nearly almost 900 Patch sites, we see businesses holding their breath deciding whether to expand; college graduates returning home because they can't find jobs; and senior citizens bringing boarders into their homes to help pay their bills. We also see bold new volunteer efforts, inspiring stories of local businesses that succeed because they innovated, and locals who've taken these trying times as a signal to engage more, not less, in their government.

At the purely local level, we want to know where we, America's Hometown, fit along these fault lines.

Nationally, there's a debate about which government-building efforts are "shovel-ready." In Plymouth, people on all sides have expressed frustration, and even anger, about the state of the 1820 Courthouse, and what should be done with it, and whether the committee tasked with finding a solution should mothball the project until federal or state grants become available.

Education is another issue that has always stirred up as much debate on the federal and state levels as here in town.

As the new Plymouth North High School nears completion, Plymouth schools still struggle to reach the goals of MCAS and No Child Left Behind, and do it while budgets continue to get tighter.

"Dispatches" will be built upon the compelling vignettes and snapshots we unearth across all of our Patch sites.

And, of course, we want your help: Tell us what issues and what stories in America's Hometown go to the heart of your American Dream.