Editor's Notebook: Thanks for a Great Two Years

It was two years ago I received an email simply stating "we're live!" And so was Millburn-Short Hills Patch and our sister first sites in Maplewood and South Orange were born.

To say it's been an interesting two years would be an understatement. I've been here for some momentous news, like the hazing incident in the fall of 2009, two major fires in less than two months, a new superintendent, redistricting and God knows how many budget issues and stories.

But something that has always stuck with me is the people I've encountered in the last two years. I've had the chance to tell many of your stories whether it's an award you've received or a new business you've opened. We have a strong group of interested readers who are part of the community here and post their comments, photos, announcements and so much more. When it snows, we get a blizzard of photos. When I write about the school budget, there's long chains of debate.

And so many more of you have approached me while I'm sitting in a coffee shop or the library to say hello and your helpful thoughts on the work I've been doing. I've received countless e-mails over the last two years with story suggestions, thank yous or just words of encouragement.

Words cannot express the appreciation I have in how you all have gotten involved here and, in many ways, taken ownership of this site. Today, two years later, Patch has more than 750 sites across the country. But it's something special we share in that we were one of the firsts. Thanks for helping us be the great site we are.

And if you missed it, we started celebrating our birthday early on Thursday with of some of the moments we've captured over the last two years.