I don't really want to say goodbye to Patch readers, and so I won't. After Friday, I will no longer be the local editor of Belmont Shore-Naples, and for that I am melancholy right now.
I am leaving for another opportunity that will have me writing with national focus on addiction and mental health, and all of its human impacts, which feels important to me at this moment in time.
But I am not leaving Long Beach, and I plan to participate in Patch, perhaps with a blog. I hope you will stay connected with me and with Patch.
I'll miss so much about Patch, but topping the list are the hundreds and hundreds of people I've met since the site launched in 2010. I want to thank everyone who contributes to the site's vitality, as writers, photographers and as readers, prompting an expansion to a second Long Beach site. It's quite a community that produces so many talented voices on subjects like food trucks, art, cheap deals, politics, schools and scouts, robots and sidekicks named Murph Doggy Dogg, even dating tips for super villains.
On Wednesday morning, you'll find me working at Polly's coffee on 2nd Street so if you're in the neighborhood, look for me in the Patch t-shirt. After Friday, you may submit your queries, press releases and news tips to Hoa.Quach@patch.com.
You know you are a hyper-local editor/reporter/photographer when you are videotaping a parade on your Iphone and a guy in the lead fire truck yells, "How's your stomach, Nancy!" and you you yell back, "Better!" All while continuing to roll tape. It has been my pleasure.
--Nancy Wride
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