Caledonia Patch Surpasses 1,000 Stories

Over the past five months Caledonia Patch has offered readers over a 1,000 stories, videos and photo galleries since we emerged on December 21.

Thousands of you keep coming back to read and comment. So how awesome is that? And I think that's something to celebrate.

We've talked politics, community development, education and crime. One of the things that is different about writing for the web versus a traditional news source (something I had done for 11 years prior to coming to Patch) is that you get to have conversations about the news. And it's an active process.

And I just have to say how honored I am to have been a part of this news conversation with you.

You respond almost instantly to our content. You spot areas we haven't even thought of, you correct us when are wrong, and challenge us to write about different aspects of a topic. I also spot areas to expand a story line, use alternative media and can support stories by posting primary documents.  I get to pay attention to you through social media and comments made on our page.

And I fee like even though I haven't met many of you (we're going to have to change that), I'm starting to understand what is important to you. And as a journalist, that's a great feeling.

One of the things I love about working for Patch is their commitment to the community, of being the place where people come together to talk, to share knowledge, and solve problems. We include you (as long as you aren't saying things you wouldn't say in front of your mother or get us into trouble).

For example, last week I started a conversation -- one I very much want more people involved in -- about These are the topics we need a public vision for, a mutual understanding on and public participation in so that we can be part of the solution to these problems. As my mother told me while I was growing up, "If you aren't part of the solution, you are the problem." These are the types of stories you can count on seeing on Patch.

So let me raise the proverbial glass of (insert beverage of your choice here) to you. Thanks for reading. Thanks for commenting. Thanks for contributing. And thank you for being part of Patch. here's to many more stories about the things that are important to you.

By the way, if you are interesting in blogging for Patch, send me an email at denise.lockwood@patch.com.

Humbly serving you as the editor,

Denise Lockwood