Hi! Welcome to Barnegat Patch, your new, all-hours online source for everything Barnegat.

As your editor, I'll be following the things that matter in this shore town, from politics to Pirates' Day.

I'm excited about Patch because it offers what many other news sources these days can't or won't: lots of attention to community-specific issues, and more chances for you, the reader, to tell me, the editor, what you want to know. Barnegat is my only focus, and I'm always ready to hear from you.

The news you care about is the news I care about, too.

A Virginia native, I moved to New Jersey in 2001 and came to the shore three and a half years ago after graduating from Rutgers University. For almost two years, I was a staff writer for the Asbury Park Press, covering several towns in Monmouth County.

A year ago, my fiancé and I moved to Barnegat from Manahawkin. We're big antique hunters, and we love birdwatching and the water, so our new township quickly felt like home.

History and nature are always near here: The American Revolution's last land battle was fought within Barnegat's borders, and our namesake bay and the Pinelands are beautiful bookends to our east and west.

And now I'm thrilled to get to know Barnegat – and you – a lot better.

Check out our directory, which aims to map, document and describe every building and business here.  Take a few minutes to leave your mark on the site by submitting an event or announcement, or posting a comment.

And don't be a stranger! E-mail me to tell me what you think and let me know if we've missed something. When you see me around town, wave me down and say hi.

I can't wait to hear from you.

Till then,

Graelyn