Three Years? Really?

If you can believe it, Del Ray Patch is three years old today.

On Sept. 8, 2010, this community news and information website launched featuring stories about kangaroo steaks at Let’s Meat on the Avenue, the Cooking Channel’s visit to The Dairy Godmother, and the troublesome intersection of Commonwealth and Del Ray avenues.

Three years later, you can still get kangaroo from Steve Gatward, Liz Davis is still whipping up unique desserts and, yes, that intersection remains a point of concern for many—but, hey, at least the neighborhood is working on improving its pedestrian experience.

Del Ray Patch is still here, too, delivering timely and important news to the community and an occasional national scoop or two. And despite keeping a schedule that sometimes seems to defy what is possible, I’m here as well—1,095 days later.

The site has certainly changed over time (yes, we’re still working out the kinks of this redesign), as has its cast of contributors. My duties have also changed, as I’m now also overseeing Old Town Alexandria Patch and lending a hand with more regional content.

But Del Ray Patch remains my baby and I’m happy to still be living, working, dining and biking in this mostly great neighborhood and city.

So on this site’s birthday, I just wanted to take a moment and offer my gratitude to all the readers and tipsters, newsletter subscribers, contributors past and present, Twitter and Facebook followers, bosses, coworkers, emailers, coffee shop talkers and even a few of you comment board regulars for doing what you do.   

Special thanks to Del Ray business owners Jill Erber and Nora Partlow for taking time out of their busy schedules to meet with me when this site was just an idea, former Del Ray Citizens Association officer David Fromm for doing the same, Patch colleagues Sharon McLoone and Beth Lawton for being awesome and Kevin Beekman of The Arlandrian for his ears and emails.

Drew Hansen
Editor, Del Ray Patch