Dear Salem Patch readers,

Yesterday, June 17, marked the one-year anniversary of the launch of Salem Patch.

We started with about a dozen stories and a few other pieces of content. A full 365 days later, it's hard to believe how far we've come.

I took a risk a year ago, leaving a job at a great New Hampshire newspaper to start a completely different news and information source in a community I didn't know, where I literally knew no one.

Today, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to all of you for helping Patch become the go-to news, information and discussion hub for the residents of this community.

To all the readers, contributors, elected officials, local activists, town, school and state employees, business leaders and community leaders who have helped along the way, I say thank you.

The memories from the last year are too many to count.

From a roller coaster grand opening before our launch, to highlighting people doing special and interesting things, to interviewing presidential candidates, to staying up all night bringing you results from the most incredible election I've ever covered, to showing our own community pride, it has simply been an outstanding year.

From Day 1, people in Salem have embraced Patch in a way I could not have imagined possible. This was clearly a town ready for an innovative, interactive medium like Patch and you've shown how important that is to you.

I'm so proud of what we've built, and so look forward to continuing the great work here into Year 2 and beyond.

My one request to all of you: If you like what we do here, if you find it interesting or informative, if Salem Patch is part of your everyday routine, please tell someone about us.

Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell your family members, tell your co-workers, even tell complete strangers: Tell them about Patch.

The way we'll be able to continue bringing you news and information in a way no other source can is by spreading the word.

Follow us on Twitter. Like us on Facebook. Sign up for our Newsletter and Breaking News alerts.

We have you to thank for our success. Let's keep it going in Year 2.

Jake O'Donnell, Salem N.H.

Salem Patch Local Editor