This isn't easy to write, Pottstown. You made me love you. :)
Today, I embark on a journalism career, leave my post as Pottstown Patch editor and reflect on the many wonderful people I'm so very blessed to know.
Thank you, Pottstown and Patch, for a year filled with remarkable people and stories:
• Lynn Jusinski - One of the first -- and definitely the coolest -- Patch people I met in Pennsylvania.
• Brian Zarley - an amazing reporter, writer who poured passion and detail into every assignment.
• The Pottstown Classics Car Club, which brings tremendous business and life to the borough while raising money for charities.
• Don Villanova of PCCC, a constant source of inspiration and support.
• Dene Liott, a beautiful, savvy and strong lady who gracefully bounced back from a stroke and continues her longtime work as an advocate for senior citizens and folks who need in-home care.
• Thomas O. Crone - photographer extraordinaire.
• Tom Bartman, provider of important, thoughtful, articulate and provocative content.
• Pete Kennedy - A true professional, real journalist and great listener.
• Pottstown Mayor Bonnie Heath and former manager Jason Bobst - they answered every question I asked.
• Tom Murray - a no-nonsense, anti-micromanagement guy, my boss until a few months ago, who helped me launch the site and provided constant positive encouragement.
• Lesley Misko - Writer Goddess!
• Pottstown Police F. Richard Drumheller and Chief Mark Flanders who promptly provided information and allowed me to hang with the department's three police canine units - amazing, powerful professionals.
• Dana Melia for Exelon - spokesperson for the Limerick nuclear power plant.
• The super smart Sam Crone for breaking down nuclear science lingo.
• The Pottstown fire departments and emergency services - a constant source of inspiration.
• The Pottstown business and arts communities including the Pottstown Farmers' Market, Milkman Lunch Co. & Cake Shoppe and The Brick House.
• Scott "Fluffy" Grebe, who balances his time battling cancer and volunteering to help local charities.
• Pottstown Community TV - PCTV and The Buzz - great resources, unique insight for the area.
• James Myers, a cool, constant source of support and encouragement.
• James Enders, Pottstown's Pop Art Guru.
• Pottstown resident Gwendolyn Swinehart, president and owner of Boobie Nation, founded the group in 2010. It's an organization made of true girl power, with help from guys, that raises money for needy causes including CHOP.
• John Armato, a constant advocate for the Pottstown School District and Pottstown businesses.
• Wicked Effects - supporters of the community.
• Kevin Haslam - my former and favorite Patch bro.
• PDIDA and all of the Pottstown area places of worship, schools and manufacturers.
• David Powell, tech specialist and prompt answerer of questions during my early days as Pottstown Patch editor.
• Alana Mauger for the cleanest press releases ever.
Thanks! T.
Tom Bartman
1:32 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Teresa - you will be greatly missed. What you brought to Pottstown was unmatched. You allowed everyone to have a voice - something the other sites could not do. You created local citizen journalists and that deserves an applause.
But with that comes greater things and a new start. I know you will do well and I wish you all the best.
Thanks for the great stories, information and passion.
Best of luck,
Tom
Teresa McMinn
1:59 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Thanks, Tom! T.
Don Villanova
1:32 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Teresa...as the Vice President of Pottstown Classic's Car Club....but more as your friend, I want to thank you for your faithful friendship to not only our club, and me personally, but for the entire community....Those of us who endeavor to help those who are not able to help themselves have come to you, Teresa McMinn time and time and time again, and you have always been there to promote worthy causes and help ensure their success. On a very personal level, I will miss you because simply put, you are the best! I enjoy reading your articles, contributing to them through community events that you so eloquently and professionally cover, and write on to inform the public of what we are doing as a club and how they can help, and of course, the results of an event....On a professional level, you are very approachable, you don't create the story, you simply write it as it is...Always so fair and accurate. When you are involved those of us who hold events know that exactly what we want the public to know about an event will be told as it is. You can always be counted on to provide something positive and helpful to the cause...We at PCCC consider you an extension of our club, and as I have told you in recent conversation, I will repeat...there will always be a place by our campfire for you..You will be missed tremendously by this community, but by us especially in PCCC, and me personally...If we can do anything to help you in future endeavors, please feel free to contact me...
Teresa McMinn
2:00 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Thanks, Don, and see ya soon! T.
Scott Grebe
4:39 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Teresa, i have come to know you as an amazing writer and a true friend who helps not only support me but so many others and we all thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You will be greatly missed and it was both an honor and a pleasure to have met you. Best of luck in your new adventure and you moving on to other things. please keep in touch. You will always inspire me to do the things i do with what i am going through. Your friend Scott "fluffy" Grebe
B. David Zarley
4:39 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Thank you Teresa. The experience I gained at Patch--from football to SWAT teams and everything in between--will forever be beneficial to my growth as a writer and an individual.
Gary Pace
8:51 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Surely will be missed!