Goodbye Westborough Patch, Time For a New Adventure
There are 5 things I learned on this job.
Group of Westborough Patch bloggers take MaryJo to Khatta Mitha for a food feast. Back row: Bruce Tretter, Ron Goodenow, Jim Hatherley, Garry Kessler. Front row: Glenn Parker, Gary Kelley, Trish Reske, MaryJo Kurtz, Andy Koenigsberg, Deb Schradieck.
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Photos
After taking a couple years out of my life to help build this community resource, it is time for me to move on to a new adventure. But, I have to admit, I am doing it with a heavy heart.
I believe in the mission of Patch. To create a forum where we can all join together to share ideas, opinions, photos, accomplishments and news has been one of the more fulfilling projects I have attempted. We are a community, and we now have a strong community resource for our lives where we can go to connect with friends, neighbors and family.
I came into this job thinking I knew my town pretty darn well, having lived here for nearly 20 years and choosing this town to raise and educate my children. But what I learned in the past couple years far exceeds what I ever knew about Westborough. Now more than ever before, I know this is a special place, indeed. And make no mistake about it, it’s the people who make this happen.
I also mastered the art of researching and writing 5 things you need to know today, having written about 3,000 things to know. With such practice, I decided to leave this job with a “5 Things” column of my own. Here are 5 Things I Learned as Editor of Westborough Patch:
1. Our firefighters and police officers are incredible people. I have watched and listened as they attended to incidents of domestic abuse, road rage, crashes, arrests, drug use and weather damage. I’ve witnessed them moving items from roadways, checking the wellbeing of senior citizens, speaking to students and assisting the mentally disturbed. I will always recall sitting with Police Chief Alan Gordon and listening as he described the 2010 Westborough murder-suicide tragedy. He explained the importance of assisting everyone involved, even the officers who witnessed the tragedy. And I know that he visited with the newly orphaned children in the days that followed, unknown to any of us in the public or the media.
2. Our community is dynamic because of who we are, and who we are is refreshingly diverse. We are dancers, business owners, golfers, readers, runners, pet owners, musicians, parents, politicians, birdwatchers, artists, historians and more. We are young and old, immigrants and townies, funny and serious. We thrive in this collection of backgrounds, with so many willing to volunteer time and talents. Each of us has a story to tell and something to offer. It is in taking the time to share that, be it volunteering at a local church or for a government committee, that we become a strong community.
3. There are always 5 things to know today. There are always 5 things to do today. You don’t have to leave Westborough to enjoy a theatrical production, sit by a lake, listen to a lecture, go to a restaurant or take a class.
4. We disagree politically — and if you follow Westborough Patch, you will find that we often do — but in the end, our goals are the same: to be happy and live in peace. How we each want to spend the tax dollars is as different as how we budget our personal finances. A pair of shoes to a runner is far more valuable than to a swimmer. Perhaps what we need to remember is that there is no right or wrong, good or bad. If you’ll humor me by listening to my two cents (and I’m aware that is all anyone would ever pay for it), democracy was designed so that we can all bring our different perspectives together. However, democracy can only work if we respect the outcome rather than holding grudges or criticizing our neighbors. As I always tell my kids, despite the billions of us on this Earth, no two of us are standing in the same place at the same time. At any given moment, we literally all have a different view of our world.
5. I have a great family. My husband, Gary, and our two terrific kids, Joey (11) and Sam (22) put up with Wacky Mom — er, I mean PATCHY Mom — over the past two years. They tolerated me when I pulled the car to a sudden stop to get a picture of the wicker deer or called their friends because I heard they received an award. They rolled their eyes quietly — I call that “politely” — when someone asked if I was the Patch lady. They often told me if they didn’t like what I posted, but they also reminded me that I did a good job when I was having a bad day. And, I know they all are looking forward to having me “back home” for nights and weekends. And that, since so many of you have asked me, is the main reason that I am moving on to a new adventure.
I may be leaving this job, but I'm still your neighbor and value your friendship. Please visit me on my personal website, Facebook, Twitter and Linked In. Let's stay in touch.
Thank you for being so supportive of this virtual community, Westborough. Sincerely.
In This article
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Town of Westborough Fire Department
42 Milk St, Westborough, MA -
Westborough Police Department
45 W Main St, Westborough, MA -
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John Laurence
6:29 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
MaryJo - you're leaving??? You will definitely be missed as editor of The Patch! It was your personal invitation that got me writing what little I have contributed to it.
In fact...I thought that you literally 'were' The Patch at first...until I realized soon after that The Patch was in many other towns throughout the country - besides Westboro!
Anyway, I know The Patch will continue without you at the helm but still it will never be the same to me! Hope to see you at least 'blogging' and commenting in the future!
MaryJo Kurtz
11:14 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thank you, John. My best to you and your family, always. You should keep blogging, too! You are always an interesting read! :)
Amy Buttiglieri
6:33 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
MaryJo - THANK YOU for all that you've done for the Patch. I'm a daily reader and your 5-Things post is the first thing I view each morning. Good luck in your new adventure - I hope you stop by the Patch often to give your 2-cents from "this side of the computer"!
MaryJo Kurtz
11:17 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thanks, Amy. And back at you - as I always look forward to your comments. And, hey, I am one of the few in town who can spell Buttiglieri! I interviewed a young girl at Hastings School and while I asked her friends (with names like Smith and Jones) to spell their names, I told her that I knew how to spell hers. She smiled and looked surprised! ;)
Gary Kelley
6:44 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
How typical of Mary Jo to turn the spotlight to Westborough and away from herself.
Mary Jo, you never forget your first. First street you lived on (Oakwood), first elementary school (Forrest), first car (VW), first .... well....(Brenda.)
You will always be the first editor of the Westborough Patch. You made the Patch the first stop every morning....
You were the catalyst making Westborough Patch successful.
There will be more editors for the Westborough Patch for sure, and perhaps none with the sense of humor and community insights as you.
Thanks for being you, and best of luck to you. "Enjoy the day."
MaryJo Kurtz
2:40 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thank you, Gary. You will always be the first fan of Westborough Patch — another way of saying you are number one. :) Thank you for all of your help — I will never forget how you found photos when I didn't think they existed. Truly, thank you for everything.
Joan Rooney
7:37 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thank you MaryJo for all of the information, entertainment and just being there! I could not have survived the electricity "blackout" without you! Good Luck and thank you again!
MaryJo Kurtz
2:51 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thanks, Joan. I learned a lot about the electric company that week. lol. I have a funny memory of Marc Richards, my neighbor, walking onto my snow-covered driveway to see if I was okay (as I had been in the car for hours charging my computer battery and calling National Grid)... covering that power outage will be one of my biggest memories. See you on the ball field!
karl
7:50 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I have enjoyed your writings and sharing with you my times of growing up in Westboro and you embracing with grace part of my rememberances of the town.
Good luck in your future endevors Mary Jo.....
MaryJo Kurtz
2:52 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Keep 'em coming, Karl! I love to hear about Westborough history, and I know I'm not alone. Thank you for the nice words, truly.
David Jost
7:54 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thank you Mary Jo for building a wonderful community resource that has become the "go to" place for community news and information. You have done great work.
MaryJo Kurtz
2:53 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
As have you, Mr. Jost! You are a staple in our fine arts department and a true feather in Westborough's cap. Now that I have a budding trombone player in the house, something tells me we'll be seeing a lot of each other in the coming years! :)
Mike Kelly
9:47 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Great job bringing the Patch to life in Westborough, thank you and best on your new venture!
MaryJo Kurtz
2:55 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thanks, Mike. The INCREDIBLY talented Mike Kelley! Please, readers, if you haven't already done so, visit www.mtkelly.com. Mike's photographs are a gift to Westborough. I know I'll be seeing you around town, Mike, and I look forward to each visit to your website. Thank you so much for all you do for Westborough!
Sandra Quadros Bowles
10:56 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Mary Jo, I, too, gained a lot from Patch but nothing more valuable than your friendship. May all your dreams come true!!! Westborough Patch is a gem, thanks to you. Love ya!
MaryJo Kurtz
2:44 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Right back at you, Sandy! Thank you for a Patch-tastic experience... and I will see you soon, my friend.
Garry Kessler
11:06 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Even in your parting post, you exemplify why the Patch has been so effective in creating a community and why you have been key to it's success. Your well considered and even handed perspective, reflected in articles and emulated in blogs, makes the Patch both informative and a joy to read. Our community will miss your guidance and I will miss the help you've given me. If there's "5 things" I've learned from the Patch, it's that MaryJo will be a hard act to follow. I wish you success in whatever your next adventure may be and look forward to hearing from you in our community in the future.
MaryJo Kurtz
2:58 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Wow, this is such a nice note, Garry, thank you. It was such a pleasure meeting you this past week. Your work stands alone - it is just exceptional. I am so happy to share your blogs and photographs with the town, and I look forward to each edition. Thank you for these very kind words. They mean quite a bit to me... mj
Carol Waite
11:32 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thank you MaryJo for bringing Patch alive in Westborough. Good luck to you and your family!
MaryJo Kurtz
2:48 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thank you for the nice words, Carol. Looking forward to your next blog!
Jim Hatherley
11:37 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Maryjo, somehow you neglected to mention that the Westborough Patch is the third most successful Patch among its peer group. Results like this do not happen by luck - they never do. This Patch's success is a reflection of the time, effort, energy, and probably love that you put into this endeavor. To that extent you make your own point about the dynamic and incredible people in this community. One of them is looking at you in your mirror every day. Thanks for all you have done, and best of success in what you will be doing.
MaryJo Kurtz
11:43 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Whew! When I saw you left a comment, I was worried you were going to tease me about hovering in the middle and not swaying to the left or right... lol. Thank you, Jim, those are kind words and much appreciated. :)
Jane Keller Gordon
11:43 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
MJ - You are the best!
MaryJo Kurtz
2:47 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Jane, YOU are the best. Thanks for all of your help in building this website! You were one of the first on board way back when we were building the Directory - and you are invaluable as a reporter, especially when it comes to the arts and business. Thank you for all of your contributions. I know I'll see you around soon!
Sam Kurtz
11:46 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I am incredibly proud of you, Mom. It's no surprise to me that you made Patch such a success. Great job!
MaryJo Kurtz
2:45 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thank you, Sam, for all of your help and support. Love you.
Marilyn Leffler
1:41 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Mary Jo, I'm sorry that you are leaving but I wish you the best. Is someone taking your place or is the Patch gone from Westborough n ow? I didn't receive it in my email this AM. I had to go looking for it through Google.
Thanks for your help connecting me to Glenn Parker concerning my grandparents home in town and for posting the Easter picture of my Golden Retriever, Autumn. It has been fun and I looked forward to getting the Patch every day.
Take care and have a wonderful life!!!
MaryJo Kurtz
2:43 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thanks, Marilyn. Westborough Patch is still here and will have a new editor soon, I am sure. Give Autumn a hug for me and thank you for supporting this website as it was getting its footing! I'm still in town, so I hope we meet soon!
Rob Nagi
4:09 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Best of luck in whatever lies before you Mary Jo! Thanks for connecting Westborough... While I'm sad that you're leaving the Patch... I'm glad you'll still be our neighbor... I'lm sure I'll see you soon on the little league fields... or the soccer fields... or the basketball courts... or at the supermarket... or at a scout meeting... or, well... you get the point!
MaryJo Kurtz
4:50 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I'm at Target fields as I read this, Rob! Thanks and see you soon!
Herman Millet
5:42 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
MaryJo, Thank you for all that you have done to help support all of us in our community. I wish you all the best and I hope whomever comes after to you helps us to know and learn about our community as much as you have. All the best,
MaryJo Kurtz
8:38 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thank you, Herman, especially for all you do for the Knights of Columbus! I appreciate your kind words. Thank you.
GCV
6:06 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Mary Jo, thanks for all your contributions and best of luck with all your future endeavors. The Patch will not be the same without you.
MaryJo Kurtz
8:38 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thank you, Gail. So nice to email with you! I hope to meet you someday. Based on our emails, I'm pretty sure we're neighbors! :)
Laura Gilmartin
6:54 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Mary Jo, We're going to miss your up to the minute updates on Westborough. What a fabulous job you did launching Patch for us! Enjoy your family time. Can't wait to see what you do next!!
MaryJo Kurtz
4:43 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
And I can't wait to see what the Gilmartins do next! Thanks so much.
Ruth Ann Kotosky
8:10 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Good luck in your new adventure. You were always my first read every morning. You were always on top of things and if I needed to know if there was a truck under the bridge or where the sirens were coming from I always checked here first. Hope your replacement is as good as you.
MaryJo Kurtz
4:44 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
Thanks so much!
Bruce Tretter
9:19 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thanks, MJ! Been a lot of fun & that's what it's all about. More soon - Bruce
MaryJo Kurtz
4:47 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
Can't wait to see what's cooking' next, Bruce. I'm a big seafood fan. Any tips or recipes?
Donna Kelly
9:32 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
MaryJo -- It may have taken me a while to appreciate the Patch, but I've always thought the very best of you. You have always been a thoughtful, thought provoking writer and a reporter that gave us well-researched, balanced stories -- I've enjoyed and trusted the work you've done (what ever the medium). I will miss you here, but am truly looking forward to the next adventure -- and how you'll share that with us! Thanks for everything. Talk to you soon -----donna
MaryJo Kurtz
4:48 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
You know I'm a fan of yours, Donna! Will see you soon!
Maureen Ambrosino Library Director
10:44 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I wish you all the best in your new adventure, MaryJo. It has been such a pleasure getting to know you! Thank you for all your coverage of our library events, and for introducing me to the fun of live blogging. I think we will all miss you on the Patch. Hope to see you around town!
MaryJo Kurtz
4:49 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
thank you, Maureen! see you at the library! :)
Samina
12:19 am on Friday, June 29, 2012
Good luck MaryJo !! You have been like a virtual friend (ever since I moved to Westborough in Apr 11), suggesting so many wonderful things to do everyday... Lots of good wishes your way !
MaryJo Kurtz
7:19 pm on Friday, June 29, 2012
Thank you, Samy! I look forward to meeting you in person! :)
Bill Mills-Curran
7:45 am on Friday, June 29, 2012
Mary Jo, You've done a great job in making the patch the palace to find what's happening in Westborough. It shows all the work that you've devoted to it. I hope the next editor can keep up both the pace and the tone.
Bill
MaryJo Kurtz
7:20 pm on Friday, June 29, 2012
Thank you, Mr. M-C. Thanks for all you do for the town, especially the Scouts! mj
Tony D
8:07 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
Maryjo, I'm sad that you are leaving. You are like a virtual friend for me each morning. I can only I imagine how much time you put into the westborough patch. Just know you made a difference. I voted because of you. I hope you run for office. You are a smart lady. Good luck. Tony d