A Patchwork of Memories

When I was recruited to build and launch Doylestown Patch in 2010, I never could have guessed the journey that lay in store.

I traversed the greater Doylestown area from one side to the other, meeting you, listening to your stories and sharing them with your neighbors.

For the first few months, every conversation began with "What’s Patch?"

Pretty soon, though, I didn’t have to explain.

But now, it is time to say good-bye.

I will be leaving Patch early next week.

As I finish my last week here, I am most proud of the fact that whoever follows in my footsteps will not have to answer the "What’s Patch?" question very often. I leave Doylestown Patch firmly established in the media landscape of Central Bucks County.

We grew this thing together, you and I, over the past two and a half years.

We came together in times of crisis:

When a gunman was on the loose.

When a hurricane bore down on us.

When another gunman forced the lockdown of an entire neighborhood.

When power was out to everything in your home except your smartphone, and you came to Patch for information to help you make it through.

I did my best to provide that information, regardless of the day or the hour.

I also did my best to make Patch a place where you could get information, not just from me, but from each other.

Coffee and adrenaline became my friends.

And, so did you.

I have met some amazing people, and I will remain forever grateful to those of you who took the opportunity to become a part of the Doylestown Patch community.

You made it what it is, and I hope you continue to participate passionately.

Share memories.

Debate ideas.

Suggest new strategies.

Yes, question everything.

But, treat each other kindly, too.

After all, we're all neighbors.

I will still be working in Doylestown, so if you see me grabbing lunch at Vine and Fig or a cup of coffee from Nonno’s, please don’t hesitate to say hello.

So, really, this isn’t a goodbye.

It’s more of a 'Thanks for the memories. I’ll see you around town.'

As for Doylestown Patch, please continue sending your news, tips and ideas to doylestown@patch.com, so they can get to the right person.