Editor's Notebook: Patch Celebrates its 100th Site Launch

I frequently have a similar "do you remember when" conversation with people. They relay something that happened in the past and how it relates to the events happening today in Millburn-Short Hills.

"That was before my time," I'll say.

"Really?"

"We've only been around about a year and a half."

"It seems like you've been around a lot longer than that."

It feels like we've been around a lot longer, but Millburn-Short Hills Patch launched in early February 2009. We were one of the first three Patch sites to launch. And today Patch launches its 100th site in Morristown, back here in New Jersey where it all started.

A lot has happened in the 18 months since we launched this site. We were a start-up when we launched. Today we're owned by AOL, and Patch is rapidy expanding around the country with sites in New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Massachussetts, California, Maryland, Virginia, Rhode Island and Illinois.

But it's always mattered most to me what's happening here in Millburn-Short Hills. I've gone from having to explain Patch as a virtual town square to being there with you on many important stories. When there was a major fire, you came here first to find out what was happening. I sat with you through long meetings on the school budget and school redistricting. I had plenty of conversations with you about hazing and how the national media was covering the issue last fall (arguably the biggest story I've covered in the short history of this site).

When we first launched I said this site was just as much as yours as anyone else's and I as here to help guide the journey as editor, and you have made Millburn-Short Hills Patch very much your own. You post events and announcements, but you're also joining the conversation. During the redistricting debate, there were hundreds of comments posted (most of which were civil and insightful). You've posted plenty of photos to help fill out our coverage, like the photo gallery of nearly 100 photos during one of last winter's snow storms.

It's our readers, Millburn-Short Hills residents, who make this site great. My favorite part of my job is speaking with all of you. I often am asked if I'm Jen from Patch while I'm sitting in the corner of a coffeeshop or at the library typing away. It opens the door for conversation about what people love about Patch. You e-mail me news tips or to ask questions. But I also get the e-mails just to chat about the way Millburn-Short Hills used to be, about a story you enjoyed reading, about how your family is doing, about baseball (I enjoy the Yankee fans who need to rib me as a Mets fan). Most people know I don't live here, but you all make me feel like Millburn-Short Hills is home.

The journalism we produce is our cornerstone, but the contributions the community make is what makes Millburn-Short Hills strong. You make this site special with the stamp you put on it every day. As we launch our 100th site today, I want to say thanks to you for making this site successful and fun to run.