Over the last 18 months covering Verona and Cedar Grove, I've attended events and meetings, covered news and gotten to know many of you quite well. Not to mention eating more bagels at Bagelwich, and consuming more slices at Esposito's than I could ever count.
That's why with a heavy heart, I'm announcing that I am moving on, and will be saying goodbye to Verona-Cedar Grove Patch this week.
I've seen and covered some truly memorable things in my time at the helm of VCG Patch. From getting the chance to add a stitch to the National 9/11 Flag at Annin Flag Company, to getting a sneak peek of Essex County's piece of the World Trade Center in Cedar Grove, to covering the 102nd birthday of Verona resident Geraldine Ballinger. I also had the privilege of hosting a Cedar Grove Board of Education candidate's forum on Channel 77, and had the pleasure to speak with the budding young journalists of Randi Metsch's Cedar Grove High School journalism class.
My time in Cedar Grove and Verona, though far too short, has been wonderful, and I want to extend my sincerest thanks to all the readers, the residents and the officials who made my time at Patch so fun and so interesting. I also want to thank the many readers who tirelessly sent me press releases, announcements and photographs, and tipped me off about big news happening in town. Without your help, the site would not have been as robust a source for local news as it has become.
No immediate word on a permanent replacement yet, but in my absence, please continue sending news tips and items you'd like to see on the site to Liz Moore (elizabeth.moore@patch.com) and Jack Durschlag (Jack.Durschlag@patch.com).
I also want to thank reporter David Jay for his phenomenal work in Verona, and VCG Patch bloggers Fran Hopkins, Rich McAllister, Barbara Backus and Assemblyman Scott Rumana for their contributions to the site, as well as all the other freelance contributors whose hard work and dedication helped the site grow and thrive.
This is goodbye for now, but no matter where I end up for the rest of my career, Verona and Cedar Grove will always have a very special place in my heart. Thank you all for everything.
-Chris Nesi
Marcia Worth
7:41 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Good luck, Chris! You've set a high standard for the next editor. Enjoy the next phase of the adventure. Best wishes, Marcia
Elizabeth Moore
7:48 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
We will miss you and your great sense of humor Chris. Good luck at the new gig! They are lucky to have you.
Lisa
8:18 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Good luck Chris. We'll miss you.
Jess
8:22 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Good luck in your new endeavors, you will be missed!
Barbara Backus
8:26 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
All the best to you, Chris. You're a talented writer and editor. And thanks again for publishing my blog.
Peggy O'Connor
8:42 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Very sorry to hear this news. You were both responsive and proactive as editor. Good luck!
Brian Falzarano
9:02 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Glad to have had the chance to work with you over such a short period, Chris, but have enjoyed your insights, talent and sense of humor immensely. Keep in touch, my friend.
barbara silber
9:04 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Chris, best of luck to you in the future. THANK YOU so much for all of your support. It's been a real pleasure working with you on stories about Cedar Grove's middle and high schools, and the summer swim team. You've always been there for us. I'll really miss you!
Mary
9:09 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Chris, it has been a pleasure getting to know you, even though it was for a brief time. You are truly a remarkable young man. Good luck to you in the future!
Mary A. Orsulak
David Jay
10:12 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Chris, thanks for the good words. The pleasure was all mine. I always appreciated you polishing up my articles, learned so much from your comments, and enjoyed your witty insights. Good luck with the new position.
Stacey Gill
10:44 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
You have a lot of fans! And what a nice farewell. Congrats and good luck in you new position. -Stacey Gill
Rich McAllister
11:14 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Hi Chris! You have set a high standard of excellence and will be missed - it has been a real delight working with you and many thanks for your support - Best wishes on your new endeavor - Rich McAllister
Fran Hopkins
2:04 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I'm going to miss you too, Chris! You always supported and encouraged me through my real-life unemployment ups and downs. Even more, you've made the Verona-Cedar Grove Patch a welcoming, congenial virtual community. I've appreciated the chance to work with you and hope we cross paths again in the future.
Shelley Emling
4:21 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I will sorely miss your sense of humor.. good luck in your new role.. your Patch buddies will always be here for you!
Linda Federico-O'Murchu
4:08 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
You will be missed, Chris, with your scathing wit and quick laugh! It's been great working with you and we wish you the best of everything on your next frontier.
Teresa Akersten
8:59 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
Going to miss my "neighbor" dearly! Congratulations on the new gig and best wishes!
Christine Corso
9:57 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
Chris, best wishes to you in your future endeavors. You've been responsive, thorough and fair in your reporting and through your tenure have made the VCG Patch a great resource for local news. THANK YOU.
Don
9:01 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
Chris, like the many others here, I will miss you too. I hope that you're leaving for better things, and that your next engagement is personally fulfilling and financially satisfying. I hope you'll carry positive memories of your interactions with all of us in our virtual communities.
Michele Luciano
10:02 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
Chris, an Editor like yourself is really why people continue to follow along even more, which is why it will be especially sad to see you leave Patch.Your talent, genuine good spirit and obvious appreciation of teamwork is, I'm sure, why soo many will especially miss you too.Best of luck to you, wherever you may be.
Ron Albanese
8:22 am on Friday, March 2, 2012
Just saw this, Chris - best of luck to you!