Happy Anniversary to Pearl River Patch

Pearl River Patch went live two years ago, just as 2010 came to a close.

One of the benefits of Patch is the archive. Everything ever posted is still here, such as the Rockland County Legislature honoring 12 women who walk to fight breast cancer and a Pearl River Board of Education decision to keep the high school's entrance as it is. 

Pearl River Patch still shares stories of the community, from volunteer efforts to local government, schools, sports and emergency services. More importantly, it gives Pearl River the opportunity to tell its own story, through reporting, comments, blog entries, shared pictures, announcements and calendar events. 

Patch continues to make changes and many of them are designed to encourage interaction. Patch exists to serve its readers, but on anniveraries we like to share reminders of other ways to use the site. 

1. Comment on an Article

We subscribe to the idea that "news is a conversation." Re still base much of our reporting on what readers tell us in emails, comments on the site and in conversations around town. Share your thoughts and reactions to our articles by posting a comment directly below each story. 

2. Blog on Patch

Pearl River Patch features some great blogs such as Christina Linder's from the Pearl River Public Library, Siobhan O'Grady's writing about dealing with Alzheimer's and Orangetown Supervisor Andy Stewart providing updates regarding the town. Blog entries are a great way to share any kind of story that interests you. Just go to our blog page at http://pearlriver.patch.com/blog/apply and get started. Direct any questions to ryan.buncher@patch.com. 

3. Post an Event 

Pearl River keeps busy with celebrations, benefits, art exhibits and other events. If those events are not on our Patch calendar, they should be. Feel free to add events to our site at http://pearlriver.patch.com/events. Our calendar is filled with events posted by members of the community, so be sure to share yours there.  

4. Send a News Tip

At the bottom of the homepage, there's a link that says, "Send Us News Tips." Tell us about stories we should cover. Your tip will be sent straight to Ryan Buncher, Pearl River Patch's (always grateful) editor.

5. Post an Announcement

Want to let the community know about an important accomplishment? A graduation or a competitive victory? Post it as as an announcement by going to http://pearlriver.patch.com/search/announcements. Be sure to upload pictures when possible.  It can also help to let the (again very grateful) editor know the announcement is there so it can be featured more quickly. 

6. Claim Your Directory Listing 

Long before Pearl River Patch even launched, we hit the streets and visited businesses, schools, parks, libraries and more so we could provide photos as well as detailed information such as products sold and hours of operation. To contact us about the listing for your business or organization, email us at directorysupport@patch.com. If you own or manage a business or organization in our directory, be sure to claim it at http://pearlriver.patch.com/search/listings .

7. Advertise on Patch

For all questions regarding advertising, Contact Regional Publisher Rich Lopes at richard.lopes@patch.com.

8. Social Media Engagement

Like us on Facebook. Follow us at www.twitter.com/PearlRiverPatch.  Social media is a big part of Patch. 

9. Review Local Businesses

Just go to the directory listing of any business in Pearl River and share your review and comments. 

10. Upload Pictures and Videos

Whether you use our Pics and Clips or just add pictures and videos directly to an article already posted on Patch, readers sharing images play a big part in our ability to show what is going on in Pearl River. 

More ways to use Patch are coming and you can always contact Pearl River Patch Editor Ryan Buncher with questions or suggestions.