Editor's Last Notebook: Thanks and Goodbye

Over the last 18 months covering Verona and Cedar Grove, I've attended events and meetings, covered news and gotten to know many of you quite well. Not to mention eating more bagels at Bagelwich, and consuming more slices at Esposito's than I could ever count.

That's why with a heavy heart, I'm announcing that I am moving on, and will be saying goodbye to Verona-Cedar Grove Patch this week.

I've seen and covered some truly memorable things in my time at the helm of VCG Patch. From getting the chance to add a stitch to the National 9/11 Flag at Annin Flag Company, to getting a sneak peek of Essex County's piece of the World Trade Center in Cedar Grove, to covering the 102nd birthday of Verona resident Geraldine Ballinger. I also had the privilege of hosting a Cedar Grove Board of Education candidate's forum on Channel 77, and had the pleasure to speak with the budding young journalists of Randi Metsch's Cedar Grove High School journalism class.

My time in Cedar Grove and Verona, though far too short, has been wonderful, and I want to extend my sincerest thanks to all the readers, the residents and the officials who made my time at Patch so fun and so interesting. I also want to thank the many readers who tirelessly sent me press releases, announcements and photographs, and tipped me off about big news happening in town. Without your help, the site would not have been as robust a source for local news as it has become.

No immediate word on a permanent replacement yet, but in my absence, please continue sending news tips and items you'd like to see on the site to Liz Moore (elizabeth.moore@patch.com) and Jack Durschlag (Jack.Durschlag@patch.com).

I also want to thank reporter David Jay for his phenomenal work in Verona, and VCG Patch bloggers Fran Hopkins, Rich McAllister, Barbara Backus and Assemblyman Scott Rumana for their contributions to the site, as well as all the other freelance contributors whose hard work and dedication helped the site grow and thrive.

This is goodbye for now, but no matter where I end up for the rest of my career, Verona and Cedar Grove will always have a very special place in my heart. Thank you all for everything.

-Chris Nesi