Goodbye, West Orange
Local editor signing off after almost two years covering West Orange
Interviewing victims in flood-ravaged Paterson after Tropical Storm Irene.
Joshua Wilwohl
Photos (3)
Photos
Today will be my last day as the local editor for the West Orange Patch.
I move on with a heavy heart; it's been nothing but a pleasure to cover West Orange and its residents that truly hold this community together.
West Orange, in a sense, has been my home away from home for the past 21 months. I began as a reporter in July 2010 and soon accepted the position as the local editor last April. But, after getting to know many of you and the community you proudly call home, it's time for me to return to mine.
I will be moving down to Miami —where I was born and raised — to work for NBC.
Though miles away, I will always remember West Orange as the first beat I covered as a full-time reporter. From the homicide at Chestnut Liquors, to the storm-ravaged township during Tropical Storm Irene and the October Nor'easter, to the CNN Special in our schools and the debate over the Edison project, it's been nothing short of a whirlwind covering this town. I hope I have served as a valuable resource, documenting the good, the bad and the ugly.
To the police, first aid and fire officials that work tirelessly for the safety and well-being of others — I will miss seeing you roam the streets of West Orange and watch as you battle fires and keep danger at bay.
To the township council, the administration and school officials — it's been a pleasure working with each and every one of you to bring information and transparency to the readers.
Thanks to everyone I've encountered while on the job, to the avid readers who log onto Patch everyday, to the critics who keep the conversation alive on the site.
No word yet on who will be filling my shoes but in the meantime, you will see some new faces at the top of this site, managing the page and answering your emails until a permanent replacement is found.
No matter where I end up for the rest of my career, West Orange will always have a very special place in my heart. Thank you all for everything.
Adam Kraemer
6:39 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Good luck - Karen - Job well done here
wohopeful
6:43 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Good luck, Karen, we will miss you. Your have always been fair and balanced in your reeporting given the tough assignment of West Orange.
Sherley Jean-Baptiste
6:55 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Thank you for your dedication. I wish you much luck in all future endeavors and hope your experience here was positive.
Marilyn Joyce Lehren
7:34 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Congratulations on moving up to NBC. Their gain is Patch's lost. You've done a great job in West Orange -- and for all the Essex County sites with your dedication, reporting and video skills. You'll do great in Miami. Have fun!
a. brown
7:51 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Karen - you will be missed, you did a great job and I know it could not have been easy.
Best of luck in all of your future endeavors!
Susan McCartney
7:58 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
You will bring the same level of professionalism wherever you go. All the best
Scott Egelberg
8:14 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Awww, this is so bittersweet because you are going to do awesome in Miami, but we're going to miss you here. Good luck Karen!
Julie Levine
8:14 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Oh no.....:(
Wish you weren't going. You are a very special person in my life karen. Thank you for allyour support
Patricia Landers
8:23 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Good for you, I wish you the best and hope to read/hear of you soon.
Pat Landers
Marcia Worth
8:48 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Congratulations and best wishes! We'll miss you, truly.
Lisa O'Donnell Fahoury
9:05 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Karen, it's been a privilege working with you! All the best in this exciting new phase of your career -- congratulations and good luck in Miami!
Cynthia Cumming
9:13 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Best of luck Karen! You deserve it. Good luck in your new job. I hope our next West Orange editor is as terrific as you've been! xo
Laura Griffin
9:34 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Congratulations and good luck, Karen! We will miss you and the great work you do. And congrats to NBC for their great hire. Enjoy your return home.
Sharon Adarlo
10:28 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Good luck Karen!
Claire Sommer
11:01 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Congrats! I've really enjoyed working with you and wish you all the best!
Jake Freivald
11:02 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Best of luck to you at NBC, Karen, and thanks for all your work with West Orange.
Dorie Cappiello, VMD
11:20 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
It's nice to go home, Karen. Thank you for all your help in getting West Orange Rotary on the Patch and in the news. Good luck with NBC, hopefully some day we will see your face on TV!!
Susan Dolinko
12:28 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Good Luck Karen! Thanks for all your help!
Suzanne Pennell
5:35 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Good luck Karen...thanks for all you've done while here in West Orange and all the best to you in Miami!
CC Minton
6:07 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Congrulations Karen and good luck! Will miss seeing you around town.
James Johnston
7:31 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Thanks for your work in W.O. It certainly has been an eventful tenure. Best of luck with your new job.
Teresa Akersten
7:40 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Best of luck to you Karen! Miami residents will be delighted by your talents!
Beverly Meaux
4:17 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
It's a lot to do, covering West Orange well, but you did. You helped give West Orange a good voice and image. Going back home again is a great feeling, though. To do that with a nice job! Way to go! Grab hold of all the opportunities the biz brings you.
Julie Levine
10:27 am on Thursday, April 12, 2012
Hi, Karen,
I'm hoping you will receive this email, as I realize your email address will probably change. There is so much I wish I could say to you - I had no idea you were leaving West Orange, leaving Patch...but you will never leave my life- as you have been a super guiding force in getting me to where I am today. You have single handedly given me the courage needed to speak out, and to be a voice - to have a voice. And working in "communications", how could that not be expected from you?
We have a saying in the Talmud - "When you save one life, it is as though you have saved the world."
Karen, before you interviewed me for the article in Patch a few years ago, I was just beginning to speak of my past. Learning to leave the shame behind me, and try to help others in situations of domestic violence, your compassion and understanding lent to an article of which I was so proud. You gave me my voice, Karen. And then, you supported my blog.
You gave me my voice - and wings.
Please keep in touch. My fight for justice is not over. In many ways- it is just beginning.
Mary Mann
12:02 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
Karen,
You are a superstar with a very bright future. I'm so sad to see you go — for selfish reasons — but so happy for you. And, I can't wait to visit you in Miami!
Carol Selman
12:10 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
It was a joy to work with you. Thank you for your contributions to West Orange and congratulations on your new post in Miami.