New Editor Returns to Old Beat

Hello new friends and old! My name is Dina Sciortino and I am the new editor of Rivertowns Patch. I can't tell you how excited I am to be back in the Rivertowns and by the mighty Hudson River again!

A little bit about me:

Before I launched White Plains Patch in November 2010, I was a staff reporter with The Rivertowns Enterprise.

So, I look forward to taking a break from having to write about shootings, mayor's domestic violence trials and alleged police brutality that makes national headlines. Don't get me wrong, I truly love White Plains and it was fun while it lasted. Exhausting, but fun. I also went to school in the Rivertowns—my bachelor's degree in journalism is from Mercy College, while my master's degree is from Iona College in New Rochelle. 

If you're looking for more information on my background, you can check out my profile.

I know the Rivertowns well and look forward to catching up on what I've missed while I've been away.  In the meantime, I could really use your help!

Please email me at dina.sciortino@patch.com with any and all news tips, or if you just want to say hi or fill me in on what's been going on. Please be sure to add my email address to your newletters, press release and other email lists. 

If you need to reach me by phone, the number is (914) 269-8671. 

Be sure to check out the site's new weekly features "" —that keeps you posted on important meetings, events and other happenings—and "So You Think You Know the Rivertowns"—a fun game where you look at pieces of a picture to guess what we've pictured and where it is in the Rivertowns (trust me it's gets competitive and super fun, they could guess a crack in the sidewalk in White Plains).

If you haven't already, I hope you will make Rivertowns Patch your go-to spot for all things Rivertowns that will help you stay informed on local happenings, connect and converse with your neighbors on things that matter to you most and promote your villages, organizations, residents and businesses.

Rivertowns Patch accomplishes these things with original reporting and ways for you to promote your events, causes, businesses, non-profits, concerns, kids and neighbors on our site for free.

Events

Is your band playing at a local restaurant? Is the book club meeting this week? Is your artwork on display at the library? Is your organization holding an important meeting?

Be sure to add all your events to our calendar by clicking here. If you would like me to consider featuring the event on the homepage, our social media sites and/or cross posting it to other Patch sites in the lower Hudson Valley, don't forget to email the link to what you've posted to dina.sciortino@patch.com.

Announcements

Do you have an accomplishment, obituary, a poem, a need for volunteers, or want to post a lost and found message? Perhaps a social, graduation, promotion, religious occasion, birthday, anniversary or school award notice?

Then post an announcement by clicking here.

If you would like me to consider featuring the announcement on the homepage, on our social media sites and/or cross posting it to other Patch sites in the lower Hudson Valley, don't forget to email the link to what you've posted to dina.sciortino@patch.com

Letter to the Editor

Got a thing or two to say about a hot local issue, want to promote your favorite candidate this election season or just want to say thank you or tell the world how awesome someone or some group is in town?

Create an announcement with "Letter to the Editor:" before the title of your announcement.

If you would like me to consider featuring the letter to the editor on the homepage, on our social media sites and/or cross posting it to other Patch sites in the lower Hudson Valley, don't forget to email the link to what you've posted to dina.sciortino@patch.com

Newsletter/Mobile App

To make sure you don’t miss a thing on Rivertowns Patch, click here to sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter or here to download the Patch cell phone app.

Become a Patch Blogger

Are you a local boutique who is dying to share your style tips, a neighbor hair dresser with the best advice on how to avoid split ends, a poet or just enjoy taking photos around town?

Rivertowns Patch is also looking for individuals, organizations, businesses, local professionals and experts to be a Local Voices blogger on Patch. Click here to check out our blogs and email dina.sciortino@patch.com if you are interested in blogging. 

Directory Listings

If you have a local business or organization in town, search for your business’ listing in the Directory. If your business or organization doesn’t have a  let us know and we'll create one—it's free.

Once you have a directory listing you can manage that listings by claiming the listing, by clicking the option on your listing page. Claiming your listing on Patch is like having your own mini-website on Patch and brings more visibility to your business or organization on Patch and on the Internet. When we mention your business in a story or something else, we link to it. Then readers can click on it to find our more about your business.

Claiming your listing also allows you to:

• Respond to user reviews of your store and encourage your happy customers to rate you online
• Post an unlimited number of business photos with complete control over the photo captions
• Encourage your current clients to "follow" your listings on Patch. They will be informed every time you add an event to our calendar, a new photo to your listing or are mentioned in an article
• If you have a Facebook page you can also post a link to your listing from your Facebook wall. This will allow your network to know about your listing. You can do this every few weeks with a quick note to let your Facebook friends know to check in with your listing.

We also encourage local organizations and businesses to comment on stories and articles. Doing so gives people in your community familiarity with your business name. Those people can find out more about you and your area of expertise when they read your comments by going to your directory listing.    

If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you!