From the Editor: A Farewell to Sierra Madre
After four years covering Sierra Madre, Patch editor John Stephens is moving on to the next phase of his career as Trends Editor for the Huffington Post in New York City.
While writing today’s look back over the past year, noting both the successes and challenges I’ve had along the way, I’m met with a stark reminder not of any particular story, but of the personal connections I’ve made in my time editing this site.
Without your willingness to share your most personal stories, make introductions and invite me into your businesses and homes, none of this would have ever been possible. I am eternally grateful to every single resident of Sierra Madre for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful community.
So it is not without a considerable amount of sadness that I announce I will be leaving my post as editor of Sierra Madre Patch, effective Friday, Nov. 4. Recently, the call came from what I won’t call greener, but certainly other pastures, and I will soon be packing my pen and recorder, bound for New York City where I have taken a new position as The Huffington Post’s Trends Editor.
Looking out my window at the mountains above Sierra Madre Canyon, I can’t help but reflect back on the last four years of my life spent covering this foothill village and the wonderful people who, like me, have been lucky enough to call it home. Then a deer walks by my front door – the same proud buck I see nearly every day – and I say to myself, “You’re moving where?!”
But those of you who know me well know that the excitement of a new challenge is hardly something I can resist, and this is certainly that next challenge.
But worry not, Sierra Madre! I will be leaving you in the more than capable hands of Regional Editor Patrick Lee (patrickl@patch.com) and interim editor Cassandra Morris whose work will no doubt improve upon what you’ve come to expect from this site.
While my address will remain active for a short while, all email coorespondence to Sierra Madre Patch should now be sent to sierramadre@patch.com.
Those interested in keeping up with my journey to New York and adventures thereafter can follow me on Twitter @ItsJohnStephens, friend me on Facebook or follow my Facebook page.
carolcanterbury
5:36 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
i hope the new editor listens to the police scanner!!! be safe, have fun and light a candle for me at st. patrick's!!! will the new person have text access???
Tony Brandenburg
6:29 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
that's fantastic john- all the best to you! have a blast, and congratulations!
Sierra Madre Playhouse
8:31 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
Thank you for the terrific reporting you did to keep all who care about the Sierra Madre Community plugged in. Best wishes as your views change to the "canyons" of The Big Apple
david
8:45 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
John, Thanks for the great reporting. Does this mean you'll leave the indentured servitude of HuffPo and actually start getting paid?
Patrick Lee
8:54 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
Good luck in the new position, John! Sierra Madre will miss you.
Kathy Harty
9:16 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
Congratulations! You will be missed, you've done an excellent job. I've seen that proud buck with the beautiful antlers around the canyon area. We'll post pictures of him to make you miss us more in this slow town surrounded by a fast city.
Catherine Addé
9:21 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
Congratulations to you John! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to blog about our Canyon, the Library and travel as well. You are talented - so of course they snapped you right up - onward and upward to NYC- let us know when you're back visiting here in Sierra Madre.
Janette Ledea
9:57 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
You will be missed John! Congratulations on your new position. Please keep in touch.
james a faulkner
10:37 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
All the best of luck to you John, sorry to see you go...good luck at Huffington Post.
Candyce Columbus
10:56 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
Best of luck, John, on the next step in your career adventure!
Terry Miller
11:34 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
John... I will miss your professionalism and just plain terrific personality. I always enjoyed working with you when you were here at the Weekly..we had a blast.Keep up the great writing
and Sierra Madre's loss in NYC's gain!
Terry , Beacon Media
Denise Delmar
12:05 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
John,
Best of luck to you as you begin a new journey.
Ron Cooper
12:31 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Best wishes, John! Good luck in your new position.
Oh! I would be remiss if I didn't close by saying; "Write on, Dude!"
Ann Luke
4:02 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Hey, John, this is a great move for you! Having worked with you, I know how professional you are, and I expect you will do this next assignment with your usual energy and style. "Break a leg," as they say in show biz!
Ann luke
Honestliam
9:35 am on Sunday, October 30, 2011
Good on you John! Leaving Sierra Madre for any reason is at best a many sided emotional experience. Keep in touch!
Mike Szymanski
11:47 am on Sunday, October 30, 2011
This is a local editor who has done Patch proud! John, you'll continue to be doing great work, congrats!
Bill Peters
11:02 am on Thursday, November 3, 2011
What can I say but congratulations, John. It comes as no surprise to me that the AOL crowd sees your writing talents. Let me add to the outpouring of good will that it has been a pleasure working with you at both Beacon Media and at Patch.com. I look forward to following your progress as editor of Trends.
John Stephens
11:01 am on Friday, November 4, 2011
Thanks so much to everyone for all the wonderful comments, email and phone calls I've received. Thanks even more for the opportunity to serve this town for so many years. It has been an absolute pleasure and this place and all of you will always be a huge part of who I am.
Penny Whistler
9:47 am on Sunday, May 13, 2012
I was reading John Stephen's tweets over at the HuffPo, and I could help but notice that he makes no mention of the work he did with the Sierra Madre Patch in his bio there. Everything else is mentioned, but not that. Do you think it was a snooty AOL/HuffPo slight? Is he ashamed?