Goodbye Media Patch.

To My Beloved Media Patch 

I launched this website three years ago after Christmas but before New Year's in December 2010. It was such an exciting time when I hopped on my first conference call and the "button" was pushed for all the world to see Media Patch. 

I covered an amazing amount of stories and events and each was important in its own way. From the Granite Run Mall to Vice President Joe Biden attending the Veterans Day Parade, to the infamous 3rd Street Bridge, Elections, Nativity BVM closing, $20,000 in toothbrushes being stolen, fires, car crashes, parades, business openings, teacher spotlights, hurricanes, snow and SO, SO much more. I've loved it all. 

Patch was a love hate relationship but I wouldn't change anything. I've learned so much from working at Patch, things that I wouldn't have learned at any other company.  The quote I always reference is "I hate having to write but I love having written," this is absolutely true for me and I'd say most journalists or writers. I loved my job but it was stressful. But the love absolutely outweighed the stress (I did stick around for three years), the love I have for the readers and the people of this community. I was here to serve you—to tell your stories, inform you and promote your businesses, schools and people. 

Patch as a company has seen numerous ups and downs. The joke always was, the only thing constant at Patch is change. There have been layoffs over the years and I along with many of my colleagues were let go in this round. I do not know what will happen to Media Patch as a website (there will no longer be an editor in the traditional sense) but my hope is that YOU, the Media Patch community will continue to utilize it and post to theBoards, Blogs and Events sections. Keep, what you've helped to create, alive! This site is about you and it is now up to you to keep it going, so please do me proud (be nice to one another in the comments sections :) and keep posting!

I have met countless people over these three years and all of you have been amazing. Media, Pa is a special place and I liked to think that Media Patch was your town square. I know I dropped the ball here or there and perhaps upset a few along the way, but I do hope I told your stories well. Telling your stories—whether it was through words, photos or video—is what Media Patch was about for me and I hope your story was told. 

Thank you Media Patch readers! Thank you for reading, thank you for pushing me when I needed a push, thank you for posting to the site, thank you for commenting, thank you for sending me press releases and story ideas, thank you for calling me at 5 a.m. to tell me schools were closed for snow, thank you for the shout outs, thank you for answering my questions and returning my calls and emails, thank you for loving my videos and photos, thank you for being kind, thank you for correcting my spelling and grammar errors, thank you for laughing with me, thank you for grabbing a drink at the Plumstead with me, thank you for the support, thank you for being MY hometown. 

I love you Media Patch and I will truly miss you!

--Courtney 
Media Patch Local Editor Dec. 2010-Jan. 2014
courtney.elko@gmail.com