Thanks for Everything, West Des Moines Patch; It’s Time to Say Goodbye

Two years ago, two journalists I admire immensely, Deb Belt and Todd Richissin, promised me the adventure of a lifetime.

They were recruiting me for a local editor position to launch West Des Moines Patch. The idea of embedding myself in your town, not only covering the news but building relationships, had great appeal. I’ve devoted most of my professional career to community journalism, and this was an opportunity to do what I love and learn some new skills at the same time.

They didn’t exaggerate. If anything, they undersold how rewarding this would be.

As my time at Patch draws to an end, I have no regrets.

This has been a ton of fun, whether I’ve been hanging out in a coffee shop or marketing “the Patch” at a community event like Illumifest or a RAGBRAI stop.

It’s impossible to thank everyone, or to mention all of the stories I’ve loved doing. Some have been big projects I’ve been writing in one way or another for most of my career – the disappearance of Johnny Gosch, for example. Others have been small stories that have just made me smile, like the guy I happened along restoring an old barn in the Commerce area or the metro woman who performed 32 random acts of kindness to celebrate her 32nd birthday.

And politics. Oh, Iowa, no one does politics like you do.

So I’ll just say that I am grateful to you all for sharing your stories, in many cases opening your hearts. I have laughed with you, cried with you, sympathized and empathized with you.

I’m not sure what the future holds as I stand on a the precipice of another great adventure. So it’s goodbye for now. I hope you’ll stay in touch. You can find me on Facebook or LinkedIn, follow me on Twitter @bethdalbey or shoot me an email at bethdalbey@gmail.com.

It has been a privilege. I will never forget you.