Community Corner

Hello Hartland- From Your New Local Editor

It really is an honor to share our local stories.

We’ve all heard the question a million times. What do you want to be when you grow up? And up until around the age of nine, I was able to skate by with the response of-- a fairy princess. ‘Cause really, who doesn’t want to be a fairy and a princess at the same time?

My standard answer, however, stopped being cute around 11 years old-- about the same time puberty hit and I realized princesses don’t get pimples.

It’s also around the time, however, that I did figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. The problem was that what I wanted to do seemed as farfetched and just as fairy tale-ish as my hope of growing six inches, having long, flowing hair and a prince with whom to ride off into the sunset.

Find out what's happening in Hartlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

What I wanted to do was write. I didn’t really know what I wanted to write about or even what kind of writing I wanted to do, but that became my new standard answer. What do you want to do when you grow up? Write.

And let me tell you, I gave my parents plenty of sleepless nights and grey hairs because of that answer.

Find out what's happening in Hartlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

New Editor

But here I am. Ready to introduce myself as the new Hartland Patch Local Editor. I keep pinching myself when I sit and think about my new job and realize that not only do I get to write, but I finally figured out what I want to write about and that is all of you, Hartland. 

Soon after former editor Chris Machniak launched Hartland Patch in October of 2010, I realized that writing about the community I live in was important. I met people, saw things and heard stories that needed to be told and shared. It soon became my passion and I realized how important it was to make sure as many different voices were heard. 

In the large network of news, a chili cook-off or local fundraising event may not seem like big news, but I soon learned that in a community like Hartland, it was the most important news of the day. Our kids' accomplishments in school, our neighbor's new business or the local results of a township vote -- that is what is important in community news.

And so that is also what I am committed and excited to provide for all of you. I will be stepping into some very big shoes, but I learned from one of the best and will continue to learn from others around me how to provide such a much-needed service to our community. 

New Ideas

So, look out, Hartland -- I have lots of new ideas that I will be looking to implement, starting with Patch meetings. Have an idea you want to share with me in person, I want to give you the time and place to do it. Have a question or a something to share, I want to listen. The first Patch meeting will be Tuesday, April 24 at at 6:30 p.m. Items on the agenda will include:

  • Blogging
  • Adding events to calendar
  • How to contribute to Patch (user submissions)
  • Topics/story ideas

I will also be looking for everyone to contribute to our community site. Become a blogger and share your silly thoughts and stories. Upload your favorite Hartland pictures, add to the conversation on Facebook and update our calendar with your events.

Hartland Patch is your hometown site, let’s all start using it and making it our epicenter.

If we all work together, we can fulfill the Patch vision of providing all our community’s communication needs in one location and giving everyone a voice and place to go to get to know the community you live in.

And for me, I would just like everyone to know that I really do consider it an honor that I am able to tell and share the stories of what makes this community so special. You all put the heart in Hartland and I just enjoy meeting each and every one of you.

So when you see me around town, please stop me and say hello. Tell me your story and what makes Hartland special for you. I will listen -- I want to listen -- and then I will try and share it with everyone, all with a big smile on my face.


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