An Anniversary To Celebrate, A Season To Begin

It was a day just like this one four months ago [except sunnier and warmer] when a new era began in Bridgewater.

Yes, that's right, four months ago today, July 30, Bridgewater Patch officially launched.

In just these few short months, the site has exploded onto the Bridgewater stage, covering cell tower hearings, school concerts, elections, sports championships and other news critical to the residents of this Somerset County town.

And it has been my privilege to be able to bring that information to you. I have learned so much about this town in just these few months, and I'm looking forward to what's coming next.

Every day is different, as evidenced by the fact that Monday I was writing articles about charities and cell towers, and Tuesday I spent the day in three different schools while local officials became "Teachers for a Day." Things change from moment to moment, breaking news happens and I never know exactly how my day will go when I wake up in the morning.

I have heard such nice comments from people around town, from the officials who appreciate the honest coverage Bridgewater Patch provides, to the local resident who said he reads the site every day. Just hearing that is a thrill for me as I continue to work as hard as I can to bring the residents of Bridgewater the information they most want to know about this town.

But now on this auspicious occasion, and as December arrives with the holiday season in tow, I want to send out a few reminders about some of the great features the site offers to get everyone involved in Bridgewater Patch.

As always, I ask you to comment on any story you have an opinion on, and please continue to e-mail me with questions and news tips about the site—that is all greatly appreciated.

Plus, we now have a new Q&A feature, where you can ask any question about Bridgewater itself, and other residents can answer. It's a great way to get information out to the general public and to get any questions answered.

With a free sign-up on the site, you can do all this, plus post announcements, events and other important information of your own.

And now with the holiday season upon us, I want to take even more opportunities to get residents involved in this site because, frankly, this site is for Bridgewater—let's make sure, together, that it really reflects Bridgewater.

So, here is what I'm proposing.

Over the next few weeks, send me your best holiday photos and stories, whether they be of a brilliant Christmas lights display, your family lighting the Hanukkah candles, time spent giving back to those in need or anything else you would like to highlight about your holiday season.

Did your family help gather canned goods to give to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County? Let me know.

Do you think you have the biggest Christmas tree on your block? Send me the picture.

Did your child light the Hanukkah candles for the first time this year? E-mail me the details.

At the end of the month, as we transition into 2011, I will compile everything I have received and post it on the site for all to see.

For Bridgewater Patch's first holiday season, I want to get the community involved to celebrate together.

They say this is the season of giving—let's make it a season of sharing as a community.