So...

I was driving to Hopewell Elementary to cover a story about visiting international students (look for that article in upcoming weeks!) when I noticed something. As I turned onto Hopewell Rd, there's a huge field. Most of you probably drive by it all the time and never really notice it. It's not too memorable...just a large field with some hills in the backdrop. But something about that day made me pull over to take a picture. And as I stood there, shooting an empty field while people drove by giving me funny looks, it occurred to me. I really love this area.

I spent a significant part of my life in the Midwest, known to many of you as the "fly-over" zone. No, I didn't ride a horse to school, milk a cow, or land a house on a witch. I lived in the city, with paved roads, pizza delivery, and public transportation. The city, however, was surrounded on all sides with vast open space. Farms, mainly wheat, rye, and corn. And while most of the United States ignores the flat, spread-out land, I happened to love it. I spent hours and hours as a teen going for long drives out on back roads listening to music. I used to call it my "temporary autonomous zone", a space where no one could find me and I could just exist. Remember, I was a teen back in the day of $1.25 per gallon gas and no cell phone.

So I was standing in the field, taking photos, and getting a little choked up (no judgement) because I realized that Upper Saucon and Lower Milford felt comfortable because it reminds me of home.

From the first day, people were interested in what Upper Saucon/Lower Milford Patch would be for the community. Being the shy person I am, I threw myself into the job. I went out and attempted to meet every public official I could. I participated in time trials with the local fire companies. Upper Saucon freelancers have written articles about local tree lightings, school concerts, and sports events. We use our Twitter account to put out the word about school closings or snow emergencies. And there's so much more that we will be able to accomplish in the months and years to come. We're just getting started. Literally, our site has only been up for 3 weeks, and look at how much we've done!

This area isn't just feeling like home. The area that I am privileged to cover for all of you is, every day, becoming more like home than I could have ever imagined. And that is the happiest start to a New Year I could have. Thank you.