Farewell Upper Moreland

On Dec. 29, 2010, Upper Moreland – Willow Grove Patch was born.

It has since been committed to serving the Upper Moreland community by creating an online and on the ground hub of local news and information.

And, Patch readers, you’ve graciously responded by helping tell your town’s story by providing us leads or adding events on our free community calendar, announcements and blogs.

This week, Upper Moreland – Willow Grove Patch continues the quality and determination of its news service, but with just one little change: I’ll no longer have the honor of being the editor of this Patch.

Instead, let’s welcome as the new Upper Moreland – Willow Grove Patch Editor.

I have the exciting opportunity to sow the seeds for a brand-new Patch in Lower Providence, and am grateful to hand over the reigns of Upper Moreland – Willow Grove Patch to the Lower Moreland Patch editor Rob Chakler, who shares a kindred spirit of what Patch local coverage means.

“I am excited,” Chakler said. “Since I cover Lower Moreland, it’s in the area, and it’s a way to put the information out to a larger group of people.”

Chakler, a native of Lower Moreland, said that he is familiar with the Upper Moreland area, and understands how Patch can provide an invaluable news service to smaller towns, such as both Morelands.

“I like that it does get local information that people don’t usually see,” Chakler said.

He added that he looks forward to continuing the uniquely local coverage in Upper Moreland as the Upper Moreland – Willow Grove Patch editor.

[Want to say, ‘welcome’ to Rob Chakler yourself? Send him an e-mail at rob.chakler@patch.com. ]

So Long, and Thanks for the Memories

Through my reporting in Upper Moreland – Willow Grove Patch, I am grateful for the insight into the community that so many Patch readers have allowed me.

Shimmers and shades of what it’s like to live in Upper Moreland have been shared through your stories, your experiences, your lives – in other words, what community journalism is all about.

Such stories have ranged from Upper Moreland’s long history, , to the plans developed by the and every week; as well as all the unique stories in between that helped redefine what it means to belong to a “small town.”

While there have been important stories that affected large populations of the township, such as the closing of the , or stories that affected just a single family, such as the during Hurricane Irene; there has been one story, or should I say over 25 stories, that Patch has covered, which will always stay with me: Coverage of the .

It was such an honor to witness those uplifting, community-building series of events, collaborated and conducted by those who will lead Upper Moreland to the next 300 years.

In fact, I received one of the greatest honors in my short journalism career for the often fun and exciting coverage of the three-month celebration. None other than the Willow Grove 300 Steering Committee chairman himself, the late , bestowed upon me this particular honor, during a of the celebration.

What was this honor, you ask?

It was green t-shirt with a small Willow Grove 300 logo on it’s front, located where the heart is, and written on the back was the word, “Staff.”

My best to all of Upper Moreland, and will look forward to reading about the township on Upper Moreland – Willow Grove Patch.

---

Also, if you know any stories you’d like to see on Lower Providence Patch, feel free to contact me at gerrydungan@patch.com or 215-882-2813.

---