John McKay Says Goodbye to Plymouth-Canton Patch

I have to be honest. When Patch first came calling in 2011 with the prospect of taking over its Plymouth site, I didn't immediately anticipate spending the next two years in Plymouth and probably couldn't initially point it out on a map. 

Intrigued by the prospect of taking over the then-fledgling Plymouth Patch, I made the trek from Port Huron one night, pointing my GPS to the center of Plymouth to see what I could discover.

As I rolled into downtown, it's perhaps fitting my first impression was driving over the large compass at the Ann Arbor Trail and Main Street intersection. I was clearly pointed in the right direction. 

I spent that evening walking around an incredibly vibrant downtown, visiting any local business that was open to find out about this cool little town I've stumbled upon. I immediately fell in love. 

Over the next two years, I'd get to know more of the people who make up this great community and tell their stories, even adding Canton to the mix in 2012. From a controversial book challenge to a 102-year-old classic car enthusiast, these stories will stick with me for the rest of my life. 

However, after two years as editor of Plymouth-Canton Patch, I am transferring across Metro Detroit to take over as editor of Rochester-Rochester Hills Patch. 

The decision wasn't easy; I'm leaving a community that has accepted me as one of its own and that will always hold a special place in my heart. I'm also handing off the product of my past two years of hard work and long nights to another editor while I start anew in another community. 

Fortunately, Plymouth-Canton Patch couldn't have landed in better hands. Nicole Krawcke, who helped tell many of your stories during Plymouth Patch's infancy, will take over duties on the site effective today. Nicole, who has spent the past year and a half as editor of Brighton Patch, can be reached at nicole.krawcke@patch.com. 

Rest assured I won't be a stranger. I'll still drop in, whether via story comments or in-person at a Friday night Music in the Air concert. I love this place too much to simply leave it in my rearview mirror. 

I want to thank everyone whose enthusiastic support, thoughtful feedback and fantastic community contributions have helped make Plymouth-Canton Patch such a success. Thank you for letting me tell your stories.