Plainview Patch Turns 2 Today

Plainview Patch turns 2 today.

How about that, Plainview?

When Patch was just starting out on Long Island, few had heard our name or understood our mission. We got all sorts of questions, versions of "you're from where?" and "you're with who?'

That's all changed.

Patch has been here through crippling snowstorms and the full range of breaking news. We've also witnessed and were privileged to document the myriad acts of kindness and community spirit that makes Plainview a special place. Through triumphs and our community stood together and came back strong. Not all communities do.

I say that not as a journalist, but as a Son of Plainview. Many of you know I grew up here. Patch brought me back to the boyhood home I love and missed so dearly for so many years.

As we enter our third year you, our readers, will be the key to making Patch succeed. We need you. Help celebrate our birthday by thinking of Patch as a daily information necessity: 

• Send us a story idea: (email joe.dowd@patch.com)
• Tell us about breaking news, night or day.
• Let us write a feature obituary for a loved one (they're free; just contact me.)
• Help us write that first draft of history.

Here are many other ways to contribute:

Comment on articles: We love discussion and smart debate. We welcome reader comments about small issues we may have missed. Tell us about new initiatives, school accomplishments, neighborhood issues. Don't like our coverage? Tell us.

Add photos: We want your best shots. Add them to our gallery. You can also add photos to articles by clicking "Upload" near the photos we've featured.

Sign up for Newsletters: Get a daily summary of Plainview-specific news delivered directly to your in-box daily or once a week. The site is updated multiple times each day, including weekends and holidays.

Post events to the Calendar: Get the word out about your events by adding them to the calendar. Or use the calendar to browse what's going on around town.

Follow us on Facebook: This one's easy and lets you know about the stories currently on the site.

Become a blogger: Local experts blog weekly on the site. Have a subject area of expertise? Email joe.dowd@patch.com and have your voice be heard.

Make Announcements: Need volunteers? Get married? Lose a pet? Announce it in our announcements section so the community knows.

So, here's to a happy New Year to all and another year of covering all things Plainview.  jd