A Look Back at a Year in Kirkwood Patch

It's been one year since Kirkwood-Webster Groves Patch launched. The community website obviously has seen some big changes, most notably the into Kirkwood Patch and Webster Groves Patch.

I look back at the past year of coverage and what stands out most to me are the stories of our residents, people I am proud to call my neighbors.

From a to a to a , we've told countless stories of what makes Kirkwood and its surrounding municipalities great: their residents.

We've also shown that Kirkwood is a place where residents look out for one another and stand behind each other when times are tough. Take for example who has become a father figure to Kirkwood youth through his work with Hope Unlimited, or who mobilized a home makeover for a Kirkwood family of 16 in need of a helping hand.

And of course there are the Whiz Kids who inspire us through their innovation, caring and spirit.

Small businesses are part of what makes Kirkwood great and we've been honored to profile many of them. Fashion Friday, our look at local fashion, brought readers inside our local boutiques. Dining profiles have delivered readers an intimate look at new and classic eateries and the culinary masterminds behind them.

We've covered issues that have been brought to our attention by concerned readers like the possibility of the and . And don't forget the stories we've uncovered about .

For me, the past year has been an amazing ride as an editor and as a resident. I am not only celebrating our publication's one-year anniversary but also my one-year anniversary as a resident of Kirkwood, a place I plan to call home for years to come.

As Kirkwood Patch grows in popularity through increased readership and more user engagement, I see us thriving in 2012 and beyond. I've enjoyed telling the stories of our community, and I look forward to what the future holds. Thank you, Kirkwood.