Farewell, and Thanks for Being Part of This Journey
Patch has been a transformational experience in online journalism for me.
Friday will be my last day as editor of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Patch.
After moving back here from Phoenix in 2007 to be closer to my mom, I am once again venturing west. I will be moving to Palm Springs, Calif., next month.
Since my mom passed away last year, I've been trying to decide where I want to be. During the 18 years I lived in Phoenix, I visited Palm Springs many times and continued to go back there for breaks when I could after moving here. I love the area, and I knew going forward it would be a good fit for me.
I'm still working on the job aspect of the move, but that will come.
Since launching Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Patch in October 2010 as part of America Online's dramatic 850-site growth in one year into the online content market, I have never been as immersed in a job as much as I have been with this one. My role stopped just short of feeling like I was running my own business. I know many of you thought I was, but trust me my paycheck came from New York.
In the more than 20 years I had worked in community journalism prior to Patch, I thought I had been there and done that. Boy, was I wrong. I leave very much enlightened about the path this medium is taking us as journalists and you as readers. I believe it's a good direction. Sure, there will be continued bumps and obstacles, but there is a true need for this service as technology ramps up the speed of our lives and information becomes more fragmented.
Francis Bacon once wrote that "Knowledge itself is power." That's the way I approached this job every day, trying in some way to empower you with knowledge about Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. That might seem like more of a humanitarian pursuit, but this job is, in fact, very much about the human condition.
I couldn't have asked to cover two towns better than these. And there are so many good people living here who are dedicated to making sure the bar continues to be raised even when tragedies make it feel like it's slipping from our grasps.
Starting this weekend, Steve Sadin will fill in as editor until a permanent replacement is hired. Steve is editor of Deerfield Patch, but before that he was one of my original writers I hired in 2010. He's covered sports, schools, government and more for this site, so he has a good working knowledge of the two towns. Feel free to reach out to him: steve.sadin@patch.com.
I wish each of you the best.
Jim
Ralph Keen
6:41 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Best wishes to you, Jim, and thanks for your fine work in keeping our community informed and in touch with each other. You've made Patch a valuable resource for many of us. Good luck in the future!
LakeForestGal
7:19 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Ditto!
Kate Amaral
7:21 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Jim,
I'm sorry to see you go. You've done great work here and you were a wonderful asset to our community. I wish you all the best.
Kate Amaral
Donna Oldenburg
8:26 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wishing you the best of luck on your new journey. You have been a terrific editor and a wonderful asset to our community. You were always receptive to story ideas and were very visible in the field. You will be missed.
Rick Lesser
8:36 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Good luck in all your future endeavors, Jim. It's been a pleasure getting to know you. The LF/LB Rotary will miss you.
Nicki Snoblin
8:37 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
So many of us will miss you, Jim. Thanks for your good work. And I love the fact that you're making this move because it's what your LIFE needs, not what your job requires. I hope a great employment opportunity will soon follow.
Arthur H. Miller
9:11 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thank you very much for all that you contributed to building community in Lake Forest-Lake Bluff. Patch has been complementary not really competing with the also super GazeboNews, all in the best spirit of U.S. journalism history. I'm certain you'll find a similar way to be of service in a valued way in your new home. Perhaps it will be cooler in CA too! Gratefully, Art
Joyce Reda
10:38 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thanks Jim you did a great job, you will be missed.
Patricia Havrin
11:03 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
For our communities...I don't know where the good is in Good Bye.
Individually, I know how lucky I have been to work with someone I don't want to say Good Bye to.
Thanks for all your patience and direction.
Jim
12:56 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Jim, thank you for all that you have done to bring the news to our communities. We are very grateful for your commitment to the schools. You helped get the word out on upcoming events and kept us informed on world and local news. It worried me sometimes when I would e-mail you late into the night and receive a response within minutes. I guess it is true that the news never sleeps. Good luck in this new chapter in your life. You will be missed.
League of Women Voters - Lake Forest/Lake Bluff
3:04 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
You have been a genial and tireless professional. Our community has benefitted greatly from your endeavors to inform and empower us. Because of you, many of us have learned to understand and appreciate this new medium. We are very sorry to see you go. We were looking forward to working with you again on the candidate forums in the fall. On behalf of the League of Women Voters of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff and us individually, we wish you all the best. Jane and Mary
Bruce Himmelblau
7:23 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Jim,
It's been great working with you from the very beginning of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Patch. I enjoyed the assignments for video coverage. I got to see parts of the community that I would not have seen if it we not for Patch. Also, I don't think I would have ever touched a live alligator or had a tarantula spider crawl on my hand if I hadn't covered the Reptile Rampage for LF Patch.
I'll miss you and your fantastic coverage of the towns. I'm sure that all of those who have worked with you will miss you as well. I hope you log into Lake Forest Patch contribute a note from time to time.
Jim Powers
7:28 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thanks, Bruce, and thanks to everyone for your comments. They are much appreciated and heartfelt. Except for the tarantula note. Glad it was you, Bruce!
LFer
9:17 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Jim, all the best to you always. Thank you!!
David N. Barkhausen
6:54 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
Thanks so much, Jim, for the unassuming you way you plugged into so many aspects of community life, while shining the light on the endeavors of others. Much happiness to you in your new home.
Bill Pemstein
11:36 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
Good job Mr. Powers and thanks for all the Glory Days stories.
Lisa Labuda
11:44 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
Jim - I think you summed up what Patch means to each of us. You will be missed and you have done an outstanding job! Best of luck! Lisa
Barbara Allen Pigg
9:20 am on Saturday, July 21, 2012
Best wishes and godspeed, Jim. I recall your first introduction of Patch at a Chamber of Commerce meeting, and since then Patch has grown to be an excellent source of information for our community under your leadership. Thanks for taking on the challenge and for doing such a great job!
Theresa Thaete
4:44 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Dear Jim, I remember when you were just starting in this job. I'm so glad it has been a good fit and also stretched you. I'm sure you will do a great job at whatever opens up for you. God bless!
theresa thaete