One Year of Avon Patch

Happy birthday to us!

One year ago today, Avon Patch was launched. Check out the video from last year. It was the start of something new for Avon, and for me.

I came from a career of print reporting, from being a sportswriter to a copy editor to covering home and garden to writing about crime and government. Jumping into a much more interactive world has been exciting, and a bit scary at first.

It's been an amazing year, largely because of Avon and the people in it. I am so glad of the people I've met, worked with, interviewed and seen around town.

When people ask what Avon Patch is, it can be hard to answer. Yes, it's online local news. But it's much more than that. Avon Patch is an online community.

Avon Patch has kept residents informed and connected on issues such as the and which brought into several homes. We've covered and school levies, and elections, and gave residents a platform to share their views.

Avon Patch took you along for the ride when football team had a that landed the Eagles in the . When the hosted the and then made a to get into the , you were there with us.

We've covered small businesses going for their , from Whistler's expanding to also become to undergoing an to decorating the show house at the .

We've shown the community coming together to help their own, whether it's for Avon/Avon Lake CRS or friends holding , who was paralyzed in a motocross accident earlier this year. One of the joys of this year has been producing videos to show cats available for adoption at the Love-A-Stray shelter in Avon. As a result of those videos, several cats have new homes.

Avon Patch is your Patch. You make it a community. And there are lots of ways for you to be a part of that community.

• Sign up at Avon Patch and keep up on the community with a daily newsletter in your inbox. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
• Share news such as graduations, deans lists and weddings with an announcement. Post your event in our events listings.
• Have something to say about life in Avon? Whether the subject is politics, fashion, volunteering, arts, science or cooking, share your voice and passion and . Avon High sports parents and coaches can post photos and game reports. You don't have to write War and Peace. You can keep it short and simple.
• Talk with your neighbors in story comments. Let your community know where you stand. Share your photos and videos in a story.
• Do you own a business? Claim your listing in our comprehensive directory, and you can add photos and edit your listing. You'll also be able to post events, or job listing in the Marketplace.

Thanks for a great beginning, Avon! Here's to many more years being your online community.