Oak Lawn Patch Celebrates 1st Anniversary
Your Oak Lawn Patch hits the one-year mark.
Like many things, I almost forgot that today was the first anniversary of your Oak Lawn Patch. One year ago—Oct. 21, 2010—someone flipped a switch and Oak Lawn became “Patchy.”
I want to thank all of you for putting up with this North Side interloper. I have grown very fond of the South Side and Southsiders. Friends warned that a year living south of Roosevelt Road would do that to me. Here is the real heart of the Chicago region.
This past year as your local editor has kept me busier than a mother of quintuplets. I’ve covered some of the most interesting news stories of my career here in Oak Lawn, which is saying a lot because I’ve covered a lot of crazy stuff. I hope that you’ve all had fun reading Patch, because it has been a joy and a privilege bringing it to you every day.
In all ways, this is your first anniversary too, because Oak Lawn Patch belongs to you. I am just the conduit from which it flows. This coming year, you’ll be seeing more of me—I won't just be at fires and village board meetings. Anywhere there is free wifi, my colleagues and I will be showing you how to unleash Patch’s power by blogging, contributing photos and videos, and of course, commenting on stories. Together we’ll make Oak Lawn the bloggiest nabe in the United States.
During the past year that I’ve lived and worked in Oak Lawn, I have seen a lot of change for the better. I think some of that is due to informed and engaged residents. If Patch has played a part in that, I am truly humbled.
I’d like to thank our thousands of readers, our 552 Facebook fans, and the tipsters who’ve emailed, called or posted breaking news events on Facebook.
To the Oak Lawn village officials, I thank you for your professionalism and grace in times of triumph and adversity. You’ve always returned my phone calls and e-mails when you’ve had every reason not to, and I appreciate it.
There also have been a few times when I’ve had to make some tough editorial calls and in doing so may have disappointed some readers. You did not hesitate to let me know about it and I have taken all of your constructive criticism to heart. I've done my best to be fair but I can always do better.
At noon Saturday, Oct. 22, I will be at Bailey’s Crossing Dog Park at 9910 S. Melvina Ave., handing out dog treats and water bottles while supplies last. You don't need to own a dog to come. I can use some help opening my car trunk because it's been stuck for the past three months.
So from the bottom of my heart, thank you for a great year. And thanks to all of you who’ve made Patch better.
Now it's time to for me to get back to work.
Sandra Bury
6:08 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Happy Anniversry and congrats to Lorraine and her great team! You can tell that you're having fun (usually!) and you do make a difference!
STM
6:27 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Happy anniversary and many, many more. Lorraine, you are a very fine, friendly lady, keep up your good work and good luck to you and any other reporters for the Patch. All of you are doing a great job. I love the Patch.
CJM
7:38 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Patch
Congrats to Lorraine too
The only thing I would suggest is to totally eliminate censorship. Let the comments, no matter how off-color or offensive stand, and let the writers feel the heat and take responsibility for their words.
Jim Vondracek
7:52 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Congratulations on your first anniversary! Oak Lawn Patch has filled a big need for local news and your work is deeply appreciated!
OakLawnGuy
8:03 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Congratulations! With the dwindling coverage of local news, in print and on the air, sites such as Patch are going to prosper. We need local news, local businesses need an outlet to promote themselves, and people have a forum to be heard. Keep it up!
Merrit
8:09 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Love you Lorraine, keep up the good work and we are looking forward to the next year's news from you!!It has been a crazy year in Oak Lawn and we are glad you have stayed, we need your unbiased reporting.
Dawn Sodaro
8:28 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Congrats lorraine! Thanks for joining us on the southside! I think you fit in very well with our eclectic community and have handled your stories with a nose for news!
Happy anniversary!
Gary
8:31 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Lorraine, thanks for keeping us informed with whats happening in Oak Lawn. Our local papers write a lot about other towns but we live here, Congradulation and Good Luck for many years to come.
Grunty
8:37 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
I was thinking back to when I started reading patch, and it feels like its been longer then a year. I do know when it turned from occasional glance, to one of my homepage tabs. It was that winter storm that was so bad many of our roads where blocked for the entire day. Thanks for the constant updates on everything Lorraine.
Peggy McClanahan
8:45 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Happy anniversary, Lorraine! It's been great to have a truly local source of news. And I'm awed by how hard you work!
andy skoundrianos
8:45 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Thanks for reporting the local news Lorraine, You keep us all informed. Happy anniversary!!!
Blackjack
9:13 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
One more thing Andy and I agree on! Congratulations, Lorraine. Nice work. Keep it up, please.
Justyna Kruk
10:28 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Congrats Lorraine!! I hope you realize how much everyone appreciates you and all of the hard work you do! Here's to another year!
Stacey Roseen
10:38 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Happy anniversary Lorraine! You and Patch have fast become a valued and important part of our community and are, without a doubt, among the best things to "happen" to Oak Lawn this past year. It was a delight and a privilege to have you as my editor for a few months. You are one of the hardest working people I know and Patch and its readers are the fortunate beneficiaries. Thank you. Please keep doing what you do so well: Shaking things up, keeping us informed, bringing us together, making us laugh... and think. Congratulations and best wishes for continued success.
Pat F
11:57 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
Happy Anniversary..Thank you for a local outlet for community news..I've seen numerous stories and pictures here that the other news outlets ignore..Freedom of speech lets many have their say when normally you don't get this opportunity.. Keep up the great work and hope to see you for many years to come!
John Quinn Mucker
1:02 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
I'll add my congratulations along with Andy and John -
Good Job Lorraine!!
I look forward to the daily blurbs and breaking news reports - well done and even handed. We're glad you decided to move south of Roosevelt Road.
Quinn Mucker
Dennis Robaugh
11:10 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
Happy One-Year Anniversary, Lorraine. Oak Lawn Patch truly is one of the best Patches in the metro area.