Mid-Hudson Valley Patch Readers: Thank You For Helping Us Grow

MID-HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Early in 2016, top editors of Patch asked if we knew any areas in the Hudson Valley that could use a local news website. I immediately suggested the mid-Hudson Valley, where I've lived — except for a three-year stint in southern Westchester — for almost 20 years.

I had covered Dutchess, Ulster and Orange counties for the Poughkeepsie Journal for eight years prior to coming to Patch and had a blast traveling to some of the most beautiful parts of the northeast anyone can imagine.

So it was a fantastic opportunity to produce news and features for an online audience and be able to showcase such wonders as the Walkway Over the Hudson (Fun fact: I helped cover the opening of the walkway and actually got to walk on it before it was officially opened), apple farms in Ulster and Orange counties, the Culinary Institute of America and quaint little communities like Beacon and Hudson (which one will the New York Times call "the next Brooklyn"?).

And thanks to you all, the Mid-Hudson Valley site has grown over the past year by 13,000 readers. Right now, we are close to topping 40,000 visitors in the two years we've been live.

Here are a few of the most-read articles on Mid-Hudson Valley Patch over the past few months:

• 7 Sharks Seized From Pool In Dutchess County
• Best College Town Food in NY Found In Hudson Valley
• 'Coolest Small Town In America' In Hudson Valley
• Resorts World Catskills Opening Dealer Schools In Hudson Valley
• Massive Fire Destroys Red Hook Home Sunday: VIDEO
• State AG Sues Poughkeepsie Pet Store For Deceptive Practices
• Hobbit House Something Out Of Fairy Tale
• West Point To Honor Florida School Shooting Victim
• Plane, Crew From Stewart Air Base Help Kick Off Relief Efforts For Puerto Rico
• America's Largest Legoland Coming To Hudson Valley

The people of the mid-Hudson Valley have continued to embrace our free calendar listings as well. Since January, the number of postings have more than tripled.

But we're always looking to grow more. If you have a news tip, let me know. I can be emailed at michael.woyton@patch.com.

I also want to remind our readers that you can post on Patch. It's easy to sign up for a free user profile and post articles, events, jobs and announcements. And the "rules of Patch" are easy to follow: "no abusive content, no commercial spam, keep it local and be awesome."

If you own a business and are interested in getting your message on Mid-Hudson Valley Patch or our nearby Patches, please visit this page and tell us what you need. One of our sales reps will be in touch.

Here's a fun fact about Patch: Did you know that Patch is among the 100 biggest websites in the United States? Patch ranks 91st on the most viewed websites in the country, according to Alexa. Mid-Hudson Valley Patch is part of a broad network, with 117 other Patch sites in New York, 24 of which are in the Hudson Valley, and more than 1,200 across the United States. That's a lot of local news!

Did I say "free" local news? Many news websites either limit access to free articles or operate behind a paywall. Patch articles and events by our journalists and users are always free to view — even on your smartphone.

So please keep reading and posting your own articles, events, job and announcements.

Once again, thank you.

Photo caption: View of the Mid-Hudson Bridge from the Walkway Over the Hudson. Photo credit: Michael Woyton/Patch Staff.