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From the Editor: A Bittersweet Goodbye to My Neighborhood; And Hello to Your New JP Patch Editor

I've been promoted at Patch to a new job. I'll be managing the Patch sites on the North Shore. I'm excited about the future, but I'm sad to leave JP.

 

Hello friends and readers. I'm leaving JP.

There, I said it. Whew, that was hard.

But I have a good reason to go: I've been promoted at Patch. I'll be managing a group of Patch sites on the North Shore. I'm excited about the future. But I'm sad to leave JP.

My wife and I moved here in December 2004, with our three cats and our Border Collie mutt, Molly. What a great set of years it has been.

It's been a great privilege to cover the news for my neighbors and build JP Patch from the ground up since we launched in October 2010. Since then, we weathered the Whole Foods controversy (in which I nearly got myself arrested.) We've struggled to comprehend violence (such as the triple murders at Same Old Place.) And we've shared two cycles of all the great community events that make JP JP: The Lantern Parade, Wake Up the Earth, the JP Music Festival, the Lantern Festival and dozens of First Thursdays.

One of our goals at Patch is to connect neighbors, and we've done a lot of that. Many of you have become accustomed to posting events, writing blog posts or announcing milestones through the platform we provide.

I'm proud of what we, as a community, have built using Patch tools. None of that will change just because I'm moving on. I'm happy to announce that Bret Silverberg, a 10-year veteran journalist, will be the new editor for JP Patch. He comes most recently from Wellesley Patch, which he ran for two years.

My wife Jane and I won't move to the North Shore until mid-December, though my job up there starts Monday. So it will be a pleasure to see many of you around the neighborhood in the weeks before we pack up and (heavy sigh) leave JP.

Related Topics: From the Editor and Jamaica Plain Patch

Charis Loveland

6:59 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

Best of luck, Chris. I've enjoyed your newsletters, and hope that the next editor will be as capable as you've been.

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patty

7:41 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

Chris thank you for your informative and inclusive reporting. I wish you and your wife happiness in your new endeavors.

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Susan Carman

7:55 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

Good luck, Chris. It was fun helping you launch JP Patch. Youhave done a terrific jib.
Peace

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Rhea Becker

7:58 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

Chris, you've been amazing. As a journalist myself, I understand how challenging a job it is, and you've done a stellar job.

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Beth McDonald

8:02 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

Best of luck, Chris, we'll miss you!

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Robyn Ochs

8:06 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

Thanks, Chris. Your good work is appreciated. Best of luck in your new position.

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Jessica Butler

8:09 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

Chris, you will be very well missed! Congrats on your promotion and best of luck on your future endeavors.

Jp resident and your neighbor,
Jes B

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RICHARD Heath

8:14 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

GOOD LUCK CHRIS! We in Forest Hills will miss you, You were a good objective reporter. I spend a lot of time in Ipswich and Essex, and at Crane Beach walking and photographing. It's a wonderful scenic part of the world. I'm proud that you are doing so well in your career

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Kathy G

8:33 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

Chris, Thanks for all your work over these years.

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Jane Helms

8:52 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

We are really going to miss the community here. Keep JP weird, everybody!

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Michael

8:55 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

good luck Chris. Well done these past few, you'll no doubt do bigger and better things.

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MMRosenthal

8:57 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

Chris, Congratulations on the promotion! Its been a joy to know you and you are definitely leaving big shoes for someone else to fill. Another place to visit is Wolf Hollow, in Ipswich. There is a great wolf education program, which takes place a few feet from a wolf pack. The story of how it began and how it continues are memorable. Plus its fun to see how a mixed pack (people and wolves) live together.
Take care. Maggie

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kmac

9:44 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

Congratulations, Chris! You have built a good thing in JP. The North Shore is lucky to have you. Best wishes to you and your family.

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Hillary

10:10 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

Oh, Chris - this is such bittersweet news. I have loved reading your posts on Patch and following you on Twitter. You've created some big shoes to fill at JP Patch World Headquarters. But congratulations on your promotion, and best of luck to you and your family.

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Chris Helms

11:19 am on Friday, November 9, 2012

Thank you so much, everyone, for the kind words. I'm gonna have a bit of an identity crisis for a while, now that I'm no longer Mr. JP Patch!

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Susan Danseyar

12:27 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012

Thank you for all the help you provided to me and the other Boston editors.

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Michael Hardman

12:34 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012

Congratulations Chris. It's nice to see another member of our Patch class moving into a new position. You'll do great.

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Aaron

12:38 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012

Good luck, Chris! Congratulations!

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cynthia oehmig

7:55 am on Sunday, November 11, 2012

I'm confused... it's a promotion to work in the suburbs? :-) Best of luck and many thanks for keeping me informed!

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Stephen Pepper

5:37 pm on Sunday, November 11, 2012

Chris--

I'm adding my thanks along with many others. You've helped us publicize the Loring-Greenough House and the JP Tuesday Club immensely. The North Shore, of course, is marinated in history. Check out the Danvers List and the Rebecca Nourse House some day!

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Sara Jacobi

9:25 am on Monday, November 12, 2012

Chris, so sad to lose you on the Boston team, but I'm sure you'll be great for the North Shore region. Best of luck and keep in touch! :)

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John McLoughlin

3:48 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012

Hi Chris,
Thank you for all the excellent work. Very informative writing, editing, blog moderation. We will miss you. All the best in your new job
John McLoughlin.

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Sandie

3:36 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The best of luck, you were a great editor!

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