Limerick-Royersford-Spring City Patch is two years old today! Patch has enjoyed another successful year bringing you the news you want to hear about the community you live in, and it's been a great year. Thousands of you read and comment on stories, over 2,600 people like the Patch Facebook page, and many of you tell Patch and your neighbors what's happening by posting events, announcements and blogs on the site.  It's you, the community of readers, that make this site what it is. We couldn't do this job without you.  So, thank you for this last year. As we go forward into 2013, we'll be …

Dear Patch Readers,  I'm very excited to tell you all that effective this week, I am stepping up to take on the Local Editor position that was recently (and brilliantly) filled by Kevin Haslam. Patch will definitely miss Kevin. He did a fantastic job with the site over the last year, and left me with some big shoes to fill.  Many of you might recognize my name. I have been writing for Limerick Patch since its launch in December 2010, first for original local editor David Powell, and then for Kevin when he took over in June 2011. I feel like I already have a personal stake in this Patch site …

Hello, LRSC Patch Readers! As many of you are already aware, Kevin Haslam left Patch on Monday to pursue other opportunities. We're sorry to see him go, but we wish him well. On a more personal note, I want to thank Kevin for the fantastic job he did with this site after taking it over a year ago. I launched the site in December 2010 and spent much of those first six months just trying to get the Patch name known around town. When I accepted a promotion to work with several of the other Patch sites in Montgomery County, I admit to being a little bit nervous about who would take over. This …

Dear Spring-Ford Area, It’s not very often I get to voice my opinions. However, I want to get a chance to reach out to you, the community. First, I would like to extend my gratitude to all of the people in town who have greeted me with a smile, told me we’re doing a great job with Patch and helped me out with my work. The list is far too long to give my Oscar speech of thank-yous, but you all know who you are. Second, I want to say: WOW! What an awesome season for girls basketball! I had an opportunity to see a really special boys basketball team play when I was the sports editor for a …

It was on this day, one year ago, that LRSC Patch was born. The site made its launch under former editor David Powell, who worked diligently for six months to get the name out and the news out to the people of the Spring-Ford area. Powell took a promotion within Patch in mid-April and I came in mid-June and quickly fell in love with this community. We've seen a lot here over the course of 2011, so I've got a lot to tell you. First, I would like to reveal to you our final two polls for 2011! Make sure you vote on all of our polls to make sure your favorite blogger, Spring-Ford student, local …

When I first came onboard here at LRSC Patch, I wanted to make a serious effort to make sure the community knew about its local, independently-owned businesses. Sure, the Targets and McDonalds of the world do great things for our local communities, but at the end of the day, it's the people in our community that put their hard-earned dollars into our towns, and, quite frankly, if the money's going to the big boxes, the money's leaving town. Not only that, but we've also seen some tremendous efforts to do good for Limerick, Royersford, Spring City and beyond by some of our top local shops. …

This Friday, Dec. 30, marks Limerick-Royersford-Spring City Patch's one-year anniversary. We here at Patch have certainly enjoyed the time we've spent serving as YOUR source for local news, events, places, volunteer opportunities and simply everything local. Most of all, we've enjoyed reading about people in the community just as much as you have, good and bad. So, in light of our anniversary at the end of the week, we want to thank you our readers and you our community members by holding a few special contests throughout the next two weeks. Each day, we're going to review 2011 in a different…

As we all prepare to make travels for the holidays, I thought I'd let you know a little bit about my life and where I come from as a human being. Please feel free to reach out and share YOUR Thanksgiving stories by emailing me at Kevin.Haslam@patch.com! It was a cold November day in 2008. As most college students do during breaks, I was working. I worked at a grocery store in the Cherry Hill area of New Jersey at the time. Pushing a cart full of fruits and vegetables through the aisles of the store, it's funny to think that never in a million years would I think I would be where I am, today. …

If you saw my post yesterday, you know that we are looking to link our neighborhoods together through Patch and through you! So, when I got this comment from Spring City resident Joy Klinger, I was inspired to ask you what you like and what you want to see! I live in Spring City and read the Patch every day and am a big fan of your great reporting. Thanks for keeping us updated about what's happening in our area. Just one suggestion: Is it possible to get a bit of advance notice of events? I've noticed (in our Patch as well as others) there's often a report of the event after it's happened. …

Just about 14 months ago, I sat in a conference room in Allentown, not quite sure what Patch was. Was it a scam? Was it going to make me money? Was it going to jumpstart my journalism career? How will it be used? What will my role be? As I sat through the presentation given by one of the company's regional directors, I was amazed at what I saw. I saw the future. I saw Patch as a way for communities to finally come together - to become engaged. I saw a way for the kids to interact and actually read the news. I saw a way for parents to stay informed about not only the dangers around town and …

I have a few quick things to run by you, the readers and members of the community, as we try to get through the rain this week. These little updates can usually be found on our Facebook page or Twitter, but I thought it might be nice to clump them all together for you and break them down for a change. Have a great week! Football vs. Daniel Boone - Special White Out As a Penn State grad, my heart couldn't have felt closer to the valley when Leslie Lovre emailed me and let me know that this week's football game vs. Daniel Boone was going to be a "White Out." Make sure you wear a white shirt to …

If you know me personally, you would know at least one of three things: I love my sports, I'm always trying to improve myself and I love to cook. Whether it's on the stove top, in the oven or out on the grill, nothing clears my mind and soothes my soul more than making good food of all varieties. So, with the grilling season winding down and many local folks having their very last barbecue of 2011 before the leaves fall and the brisk winds bring snow to our land, I thought it would be nice to share some of my best and favorite marinades for your barbecues. I've got three types of kabobs on …

Congratulations Spring-Ford grads! You're off to college in a few weeks! So, you finally did it. High school is over and you've been spending the summer getting every last ounce of time in with your friends before you leap on out to undergraduate studies. Whether you are near or far, there are still going to be some major adjustments in your life and lifestyle. Being a recent college graduate, myself (any Penn Staters out there?), I've decided to compile a short list of things to think about as you make this unfamiliar transition. Think of this as your quick guide to the big dance. 1. Making …

Upon dealing with the massive heat wave, in which I could only bare five minutes in the great outdoors, mustering up the energy to watch the dog and do some work, I, along with the rest of Limerick, Royersford and Spring City, I'm sure, have been trying to find ways to cool down. A cold glass of lemonade, the soothing air conditioning, shorts and a tank top... It's all well and good, but as much as I hate to say it, I could really use some cold weather right now. Hailing from the valleys of Penn State University for five years of my life doesn't help my attitude toward heat like this. However…

Fall 2010 - Unfamiliar people carrying big green folders and flyers came to Eastern Pennsylvania to spread the word about a new online service called "Patch." These colorful characters were mostly seen entering local businesses to collect information for what is now known as our "Places" section. Some business owners were skeptical, being scammed in the past by similar services, but our Commercial Listings Collectors didn't let up. They had a job to do and that was to help set up what would eventually be your main local hub for news, sports, events and other happenings in the area. December …

Patch wants to pay homage to Limerick, Royersford and Spring City for almost six months of good times, hard news and community involvement. Limerick-Royersford-Spring City Patch first appeared on the world wide web on Dec. 30 as editor David Powell began his trek to bring the accurate news and hard issues to the attention of the people of this area. Throughout that time, Patch has seen many changes, but has had the opportunity to feature many different types of content for viewers to enjoy. As we enter a new period in Patch history, we would like to continue offering you that content and some…

Dear Limerick, Royersford and Spring City, It was with great honor and pleasure that I introduce myself to you as the new editor of your Patch! Before I say anything else, I would first like to say thank you and a job well done to the inaugural editor, David Powell, for all of his hard work and the much appreciated help he's already given me. David certainly did a wonderful job in reporting the news and giving this community a hub to talk about the hot topics and pressing issues. Fortunately, there will be no need to miss David, as he is remaining in the area and will still be involved in …

This will probably be my final article as editor of the Limerick-Royersford-Spring City Patch. I've known this day was coming for more than two months, but it still managed to sneak up on me, and I'm still not quite sure what to say about it. I'm not saying "goodbye," because I'm not going anywhere. First of all, I'm remaining with Patch. I'm moving on to become an associate editor for our Montgomery County region, where I'll help support seven other Patch sites (with more on the way). And, yes, I'll still be doing some reporting and other writing. You'll still see my name on articles from …