Lemont Patch Editor Bids Farewell
Friday marks my final day in Lemont, and I couldn't leave without thanking our amazing readers.
I've known for about two weeks that my days were numbered in Lemont. I've been a mixed bag of emotions thinking about it—sometimes giddy with excitement about what's ahead, but often completely overwhelmed with sadness about what I'm leaving behind.
Friday is my last day with Lemont Patch. When I launched this site in September 2010, I never imagined those words would be so hard to write. I also never imagined how much I would come to love this wonderful, little community.
Being your editor for the past two years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It's been challenging, frustrating and often stressful, but to see how much the site has grown makes it all worth it. I am so proud of what Patch has been able to do in Lemont, and the online community you've helped us create.
I say all the time that I got lucky when I was assigned Lemont. It's a town rich with history, tradition and possibility. The people here are passionate and hard-working, unique and inspiring. It has been such a blessing to be part of it.
Even though I know I can't stay, Lemont will always have a special place in my heart. I met people I'll never forget, and told stories that will stay with me forever.
Starting Monday, Guest Editor Linda Ozbolt will be running the site. Linda is a veteran reporter in the southwest suburbs, and has become one of our most trusted guest editors at Patch. I know she'll do a great job manning the ship while we search for my replacement.
As for me, I'm actually not going too far. I'll be taking over Downers Grove Patch, a site that offers a new set of challenges and stories to be told. It was a difficult decision, knowing I'd have to leave the site I built from the ground up, but I know it's the right time. I can only get better if I continue to challenge myself, and I think this is the perfect opportunity to do just that.
As excited as I am for this new chapter in my life, it's terribly bittersweet. I am going to miss all of you so much, especially those of you I worked with nearly every day. I can't thank you enough for your support and encouragement, and for giving me a chance when I started in Lemont two years ago.
Most of all, I want to thank you, my amazing readers, for letting me into your lives and allowing me to share your stories. For me, that's been the greatest gift of all.
See you soon, Lemont. Thank you for all the memories and for becoming my second home. I will never forget the people and places that make up this lovely Village of Faith.
- Amanda
Ralph Pukula
6:34 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Great job Amanda! Keep in touch.
Susan Antonoff
7:05 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Thank you, Amanda...Congratulations on your achievements!
RaeLynWall
7:12 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Sorry to see you go! Good luck and thanks for everything!
Jennifer Egan
7:16 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Best of luck to you Amanda. It was a pleasure.
Jill Pampinella McAndrews
7:22 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Good luck in your future endeavors!
Gina
7:36 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Thank you
And best wishes
Rick Sniegowski
8:01 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
We'll miss you & your dedication.
Good luck with the many opportunities the future is sure to bring your way.
Rose Yates
8:18 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Amanda:
We'll miss you more than you'll miss us! What a great job you've done here--all your effort has been admired and appreciated.
Rose Yates
Lauren Williamson
8:46 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Amanda, you have done an incredible job making Lemont Patch the go-to news source in your community. Your integrity and passion are unrivaled. I can't wait to see what you do in Downers Grove.
Mary Pollard
9:03 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Classy, committed, caring...that's you, and we will miss the way you covered our community. Best of luck to you, Diwners Grove is so lucky to have you!
therese thompson
9:23 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Wishing you all the best! You started something great for this community and it is appreciated. Good luck with this next step in your career.
Brenda Douglass
9:23 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
You'll be missed - all the best and thanks for all you've done for our town!
Victoria Tate
9:29 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Welcome to Downers Grove! We look forward to having you bring us the news.
Lynn Antonopoulos
9:37 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Good luck, Amanda! We will miss you.
Patricia Reardon
9:48 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Good luck Amanda. We've enjoyed reading the Patch and your visits to the Lemont-Homer Glen Rotary Club meetings. Best wishes as you take on a new challenge.
Greg Alan
10:03 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Best of Luck Amanda! You served Lemont very well. Your efforts, and hard work, that you put into this website, were truly a job, well done. Good Luck. We'll miss you.
Amanda Luevano
10:07 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Thank you all for the kind words. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude this morning.
Ann Paul
10:16 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Best of luck Amanda. I'll bet Downers Grove won't be as "colorful" as Lemont has been! LOL
Helen U
10:35 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Good Luck, Amanda. Guess I'll be subscribing to the Downers Grove Patch now, too! I love DG and I think you will also.
Helen from Bunco ;-)
Mike Shackel
10:38 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Best Wishes Amanda. I have always appreciated your professionalism, and the fact that you always worked hard to get the story right. We will miss you.
Kevin
11:11 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Thanks for always presenting the goings-on in this town in a fair and unbiased manner...it was refreshing to see. Continued success to you both professionally and personally.
John Quinn
11:18 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Thank you so much Amanda for all your hard work and dedication. I don't think there is any doubt that you will be a very sucessful and respected journalist. Thanks for keeping all of us Lemontsters well informed on a daily basis. Good Luck!
Jen Gould
12:04 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Good luck Amanda - you will continue to do great things!
Cari Barcas
12:07 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Amanda, Lemont is a better place for the time you spent here, and I know you'll take all of the countless connections and memories with you when you go. You should be very proud of all the great things you've done for this community, and I'm so excited to see you make a similar impact in DG! Keep up the amazing work!
Brian Feldt
12:51 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Congratulations Amanda on the move to DG! Judging by the comments already made, it's obvious your readers appreciate the hard work you put in for Lemont Patch just as much as your coworkers do. Not that we didn't know that already! Anyway, good luck in Downers. Be sure to go crazy with Facebook likes just to make me and Melissa jealous :)
Bob Delaney
2:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Good luck Amanda. You have done a fantastic job engaging the community as a whole in local issues.
martin finn
2:25 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
thank you amanda, the patch, under your command, was very educational and informative for me. While my invitation to our local block party seems to get lost in the mail since I started commenting on the articles, I'll trade that for knowledge and a forum for debate. good luck
Sharon Duncan
3:37 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Awe ,congrats to you. sure. just when we were really getting to know how wonderful you are!
Patrick
3:40 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Good Luck Amanda!
Amanda Luevano
6:12 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Thank you all again. Your notes mean so much!
Tim Wall
9:15 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Lemont will miss you (we will still let you come to Keepataw Days)
Vince Rigler
3:35 am on Saturday, August 18, 2012
Wow...what else can I add to what has already been expressed here...I guess it would be that you were the one that Lemont needed in our time of crisis and you created a forum that brought out transperancy when it seemed there was none. You would make a terrific investigative reporter for one of the major networks someday. Your hard work will not be forgotten. Keep it up in your future! Thank You!!!
Lisa Bitsky
9:42 am on Saturday, August 18, 2012
I have really enjoyed the Patch. Downers is lucky to get you.
Dan Ganzer
4:14 am on Sunday, August 19, 2012
All the best to you Amanda as you continue to pursue bigger and better things. I have no doubt you will be enormously successful as your dedication and work ethic are second to none.
Paul Scheufler
4:14 am on Sunday, August 19, 2012
Amanda, thanks for the great job at Lemont Patch. We will miss you. Good luck in your future endeavors.
Loryl Fisher
1:06 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
Amanda
Thanks to you for all the good work you put into the Lemont Patch and made it into a lifeline for our town! You WILL be missed.Good luck and continued success.
Susan Donahue
10:19 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
Best wishes for the future. Thank you for covering Lemont news in a responsible and fair way.
Janet Schatz
7:50 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Best wishes Amanda and thank you!
J F Cisek
7:50 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Amanda, Thank you so much for your unique perspective and keeping us all up to date with all of the little things that go on in our town!
Janine Davidson
7:50 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
You will be truly missed. You did an Awsome job. Linda will have some tough shoes to fill.