Some people consider themselves “victims” of a small town.

Me?

I consider myself lucky.

I spent the majority of my childhood and teen years living in Plainfield Township -- or in the Village of Belfast, if you want to get really technical. In 2004 I graduated from Pen Argyl Area High School. I believe there were about 100-110 students in my graduating class.

Yes, I’m from small-town America. But unlike a lot of high school friends and acquaintances, I never had the urge to leave the Lehigh Valley. There’s four seasons, beautiful scenery, plenty of history, and there really are things to do if you look in the right places.

When Patch cropped up in my life a year ago, it was like I met my perfect match:

• Patch goes to bat for small, underrepresented towns. I’m a journalist who thinks the happenings in small towns deserve just as much publicity as they do in big cities. 
• Patch wants to set up shop in the Nazareth area. I’ve lived in the area my entire life!

One year after the Dec. 1, 2010 launch of Nazareth Patch, my excitement and passion for covering hyperlocal news for the residents of Nazareth, Upper Nazareth Township and Lower Nazareth Township continues to hold strong. And I can’t forget about my readers from Tatamy, Stockertown, Plainfield Township and Bushkill Township.

In the past year, I believe I’ve successfully assimilated myself into a community that was a little skeptical about this new thing called “the Patch.” I remember being super nervous during my first phone calls to local police chiefs and when I first introduced myself to supervisors and council members. I noticed the wandering, questioning eyes, but I knew Patch’s purpose and my passion for covering Nazareth-area news would eventually shine through.

My ever-loyal readers are the best folks a local editor could ask for. Without news tips, event and announcement postings, comments and blogs, Patch would not be the successful venture that it is. And I still can't believe that Nazareth Patch is up to 459 “likes” on Facebook and almost 200 followers on Twitter (P.S. make sure to tell your friends and family where to find Patch!)

Then there are "my" go-to freelancers. A huge “Thank You!” to:

• Kristine Porter, who brings you Lower Nazareth and Tatamy news, Whiz Kid profiles and more
• Anthony Rando, a creative feature writer who never says "no" to a story assignment
• Eric Mark, who finds his way down from Monroe County to cover Upper Nazareth Township and Nazareth School Board meetings
• Theresa Radtke, who takes care of "This Weekend at the Nazareth Center for the Arts"
• Nancy Scholz, who is a fantastic photographer, especially when it comes to sports and theater
• Jack Tobias, an outstanding copyeditor who has taught me so much
• And, of course, there are many more, but I'm running out of time!

Last but not least, I thought it'd be fun to share some of the stories that were posted one year ago today, when Nazareth Patch was still a youngin:

• Welcome! I'm Glad You're Here!
• Miracle League Allows Children with Disabilities to Play Ball
• Nazareth Music Center Celebrates 50th Anniversary
• Theatre Troupe Goes Under the Sea
• Song Benefits Local Soup Kitchen
• Despite Cuts, Nazareth Library Keeps Hours, Positions in 2010
• Blue Eagles Marching Band Wins National Title
• Bath Man Accused of Masturbating in Front of Store Window
• Township Planning to Improve 3 Intersections