Friday, June 16, 2017

End of the Blog


Thanks to all my readers, followers, donors and critics who have made my twelve years of blogging so interesting. The blog began in partnership with Barbara Todd Kerr in 2005 and later became a solo operation. My main topics were municipal government and land use, meaning I attended many meetings, some as long as five hours, before sitting down to compose a post. It was not unusual for me to hit the "Publish" button at 1, 2 or 3 a.m. and my average of more than 500 posts a year indicates I sometimes posted more than one a day.

As some may recall, I had hoped to sign off in 2015, at the 10-year mark. I kept blogging through the next anniversary, on June 17, 2016. But now I must move on to other things that have kept falling off my to-do list. Knowing I will turn 80 on my next birthday has given me a sense of urgency to get on with those other things.
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Both Plainfield Plaintalker (2005-2010) and Plaintalker II (2010-2017) will remain online as archives. Feel free to look up topics or just take a spin through Plainfield's recent past by reading older posts. Some of the photos have gone missing for technical reasons that I don't understand, but there are still quite a few.

Today there are many new ways to find out what's going on in Plainfield, from social media to TAPintoPlainfield to the mayor's weekly newsletter. Queen City Pride and Downtown Plainfield Alliance are among the newest sources.

As you may know, those born under the sign of Taurus tend to hate change, and I am no exception. I have joked that it used to take me eight years to make up my mind to leave a job. I have lived in the same apartment for 25 years. Marie Kondo would smack me if she saw some of the possessions that still "spark joy" for me after decades. But now I have to admit it's time to step away from the blog. So thanks again for everything, Plainfield!
 Thanks!
Bernice

55 comments:

  1. Very sad, but understandable. I will miss reading your daily blogs.

    Kind Regards,
    David Branan
    North Plainfield

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  2. Thanks for your service and insight. You offered the community a platform to express their opinions and ask questions. A service that is hard to come by these days. You and your work will be missed.

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  3. Bernice, I must say I have some tears in my eyes as I am writing this. Selfishly, I am so sad. Your blog has been the source of unbiased information about Plainfield. While I will miss the blog, I will also miss you, as sprinkled within your blog were insights into you and your family.

    Unselfishly, I am excited for you, and let me start by saying that if you are telling the truth that you are turning 80, I must say

    -You look maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaavelous daling!!!!

    My heartfelt best wishes to you as you start your new journey, and my gratitude for what you have done for Plainfield. May this new chapter in your life be filled with fun, adventure, and magic. God Bless. -Jeanette

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  4. Bernice, thank your for all of the selfless hours spent making Plainfield a better place.
    You will be missed, safe travels on your future endeavors.

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  5. Bernice,

    You have done a great service to our community, probably greater than you can even imagine. It has been a pleasure reading the blog, commenting occasionally and, most importantly, getting news, analysis, and commentary on Plainfield.

    Best,

    Rebecca

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  6. Bernice,
    You have certainly earned your retirement from blogging, but that doesn't make this announcement easier to read. We Plainfield residents have been so lucky to have a reporter with your skills and with your institutional memory to keep us informed. Thank you!
    Rebecca Perkins

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  7. I understand. You have worked probably as hard as your paying job. I can't fault you from wanting to move on but you will be sorely missed. Hope to still see you at some meetings.
    Much respect.

    Nancy Jordan

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  8. Your honest and balanced view will be truly missed. I looked forward to reading your blog daily. Best of luck to you going forward.

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  9. Thank you for serving the community and for your prolific blogging for so many years. May God bless you in accomplishing your other goals. You will be missed.

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  10. Dear Bernice,
    Words can not express my gratitude for all you have done for this City with your time and talents. You have and will always remain and inspiration to me and so many others. I have had the incredible fortune of knowing you and your blog for many years. Libby and I wish you God's blessings for health and happiness always. Fondly, Peter

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  11. Susan Lattimore JacksonJune 16, 2017 at 12:08 PM

    I had to check the calendar, to make sure it wasn't April 1st, sadly it wasn't. I will miss Plaintalker and you. Thanks for years of covering Plainfield, enjoy your free time.

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  12. Thank you, Bernice for keeping us up to date on Plainfield news for all these years. Whether with the Courier or your blog, your hard work, writing, accuracy and local knowledge are greatly appreciated. Be well and enjoy your well deserved retirement.

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  13. Thank you, Bernice for the great service you have given to our community. Your blog will be sorely missed. Good luck in your future endeavors. God bless you.

    Bob Bolmer

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  14. Please don’t stop blogging, Plainfield needs you. You are the only blogger that covers Plainfield that is truly impartial. All the rest have a tendency to be one-sided on certain issues.

    RB

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  15. Bernice, I will miss your daily posts. Good Luck in your future endeavors.

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  16. Wow! You and your blog will definitely be missed. Luke everyone else I understand and wish you will in all that you do. I have known you for quite a while and didn't realize you were old enough to be my mother. You look great. Take care and I hope to see you around town.

    Andrea Kee

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  17. I join with those who have already commented, those who will, and those who cannot bring themselves to say best wishes to an honest, thoughtful, caring person. Thank you for all of the wisdom and insight you shared over the years. Your blog was always a rehreshingly unbiased view of the Plainfield world. We relied on it for the facts and appreciated the opinions as well. God grant you every Blessing as you turn the page.

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  18. Dear Bernice, while I appreciate the TAPinto Plainfield shout out, I can honestly say that reading your blog has inspired me and I will truly miss your intelligence and wit. I wish you tons of fun in all of your new free time!

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  19. Bernice thank you for being who you are and maintaining your skills and standards as a journalists. Your blog will be missed. You've managed over the years to publish the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth with dignity and class. May God blessings always be upon you.
    Barry Goode

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  20. I hope it is actually ...

    "Bye, bye, so long, farewell ...See You in September!

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  21. Bernice, I will miss you and your blog. You kept me aware of what was going on in Plainfield these many years in a very even-handed non-partisan way. Thank you.

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  22. You have been, and will always be, a Plainfield treasure. Thank you.

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  23. I'm personally saddened by this news. But I also know how hard it is to do what you've been doing and the toll it can take. You deserve to not feel obligated to work so hard at blogging! I'll miss the blog immensely, but you and I will keep in touch! So long and thank you for all the fish. And, what Randy said ...!

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  24. Dear Bernice, thank you for your years of service to the Plainfield community. Your tidbits about nature inspired me to explore and share with others. You will be truly missed. God's blessings forever!

    Dee Dameron

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  25. Bernice,
    Thank you for the shoutout. Your high standards could never be matched. Thank you for your evenhanded and loving contribution to the Plainfield community. You've inspired many people with your impact.

    Downtown Plainfield Alliance wishes you the best!

    Ron Johnson

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  26. Dear Bernice, Like so many others in Plainfield and the surrounding areas, reading your blog was a part of my daily ritual and I will miss it and you. Your journalistic skills were always evident as you reported the news. I always wanted to one day exchange some seeds /plants with you and maybe one day I will still get a chance to do that. Enjoy your next calling! Margaret Lewis

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  27. Bernice, You have been a Plainfield icon and will be sorely missed. How can we express our gratitude for the multitude of meetings you attended, the documents you reviewed, and the outstanding reporting regarding them all on your own initiative. And, the forum which you provided that allowed everyone to express their opinions. Wishing you the best of everything life has to offer. Bill Kruse

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  28. Bernice, I support and agree with all of the above praise for you and your dedication to Plainfield. I too will miss the professional perspective you have given to all your readers. Plainfield will have a giant void to news reporting with your absence. G-d Speed for your future endeavors.

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  29. Bernice. It's like watching drive away in their car to a new home. You know it's the right thing for them, but you're overwhelmed by the impending loss of that person in your daily life. Be well Bernice. Thank you for all you've done.

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  30. Thank you.

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  31. Candle in The Wind, Elton John is how I will remember both PLAINTALKERS,

    We need to have your blog bound into a book, used as a reference for the historic value for all of Plainfield to know and appreciate for years to come.

    Thank You, we will all try, but know that we will never be able to hold a candle to all you have done for everyone.

    Your viewpoints and allowing conversation is and will be a lifelong legend.

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  32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjQuZCTLAv4

    I'm so glad we had this time together
    Just to have Plaintalker's blog or comment on it
    Seems we just get started
    and before you know it
    Comes the time we have to say
    So long

    Goodnight!
    (Ear pull)

    THANK YOU BERNICE! :) Carmencita Pile

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  33. Bernice,
    A job well done. Thank you!
    Adrian

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  34. Thanks for all the hard work over the years, Bernice. All politics is local, and you presented all the local issues in a completely unbiased way, putting the politics in context. Whoever says that nobody is indispensable did not follow your blog.

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  35. I keep hoping that a new post will appear each morning. Best wishes to you as you cross items off of your to-do list. You are already missed. - AD

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  36. I didn't see this for four days but now I am sad. Not sad for you, Bernice, because as I recall this was initially just a way to fill the void both in your daily life and that of the community, following your retirement from the Courier-News. I am sad for Plainfield and your avid readership. You have illuminated regularly that which needed it, in the operation of our City, and kept so many of us informed about things which we would otherwise not have known. I was happy, last year, to award you with the HPC Preservation Award of the year. Think of it also as a Life Achievement Award. I hope our paths will continue to cross.

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  37. Bernice, It was a pleasure reading your blog. I like, all the others will certainly miss you. Enjoy the next phase!

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  38. Thank you, Bernice. Thank you not only for your reporting, but also for giving us all an outlet (for better and for worse) here in the comments sections. I will miss your writing. Enjoy your second retirement.

    Terica

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  39. I will missed your blog post, that's how i know what is going on around Plainfield.

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  40. It's been a week. Are you bored yet? Just hoping.

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  41. While I have never commented on your blog, I have been a faithful reader. As my mother has always said, give me my flowers white I am still living. Ms. Bernice, you truly deserve a standing ovation for a job well done. Thank you & God bless you on your future endeavors.

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  42. Hi Bernice - I hope you continue to give us your occasional musings on Facebook or other venues. Thanks for all the blog posts!

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  43. I miss your blig Bernice

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  44. Hi Bernice, Hope you are enjoying yourself. You are sorely missed.

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  45. There was a Bernice sighting at PMUA and/or council meeting! Got anything to say?

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  46. No need for long goodbyes. She simply switched venues. Her publicity can now be found on Tap into Plainfield.

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    Replies
    1. I was invited last week to contribute and decided to give it a try. By the way, it is reporting, not "publicity."

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  47. I will be your biggest fan!! So glad we will have good reporting and that you are contributing to the Plainfield scene.

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  48. There is now a great void in the Plainfield blogisphere. Thanks for all your dedication and effort over all these years. I hope someone will pick up the baton.

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  49. Hi Bernice,

    So glad that the city honored you. You are a Plainfield historian, and we are so lucky to have you here. Congratulations on a well deserved honor, and I will say it is my honor to know you and to have had the opportunity to be an avid reader of your blog.

    And, by the way, if you ever decide to occasionally blog, please know that there are a few of us who continue to check your blog site...just in case.

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  50. Hi Bernice, Just checking in. Hope all is well with you. Miss you.

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  51. Thank you for your tenacity over these many years. I have enjoyed reading the blog every day. Best of luck in your future endeavors!
    CindyLea Weber

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  52. Glad to see you on Tap into Plainfield. I have been told that every town needs a watchdog...gadfly? Knowing the background and the players adds a lot.

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