Woodstock Early Bird is three months old!
We are pleased to announce that while we were running around YOU were checking in!
We have now passed the high mark of 100,000 views!
That’s a big WOW!
One day last week, following the devastation wrought on our little community by Tropical Storm Irene, 30,000 people in one day checked in to Woodstock Early Bird!
Woodstock Early Bird was started as a way to fill a bit of an information gap in Woodstock news. It was my goal to attend and report on municipal meetings that were not being covered anywhere else and to also offer some humor and a lighter, more personal style of writing. In addition, Woodstock Early Bird wanted the freedom to pursue stories that might not be covered anywhere else and to include points of view that might not be found elsewhere. Finally, I just wanted to write and have fun. See what could be done. It began from simple photo posts on a Facebook page taken during morning walks with the dog. And as you have heard me use the French before, “Eh, voila: Woodstock Early Bird!”
Woodstock Early Bird is now serving a purpose and I am grateful to be able to help. It reminds me of how — at one time — folks would gather around their radios to hear the latest news. That is still one way of getting information. But, now, more than ever we gather around our phones for the latest information, united as a community through the pathways the internet provides.
Thanks, Early Birds for all your support! 
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 
Posted by Judy on September 7, 2011 at 12:12
Happy 3 month anniversary Early Bird!
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Posted by Julia Carlisle on September 7, 2011 at 17:28
Thanks Sister!
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Posted by Sam on September 7, 2011 at 12:13
Thank you so much for filling the information vacuum around Woodstock during this event. You have been a great one-stop source for what is happening. Remarkably, throughout power and water outages, 3G cellular data service has persisted. It has been eery to wander by dark houses and still be able to pull data across the internet to a hand held device.
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Posted by Julia Carlisle on September 7, 2011 at 12:31
We know exactly what you mean. Odd. We’ve had to conserve water and worry about water quality and for some worrying about just the basics of shelter, food and clothing. Something that puts us back to primitive survival concepts. And yet: Got bars and the 3G to the phones. Yes. Eerie!
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Posted by Abby C on September 7, 2011 at 12:35
Congrats Julia!!
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Posted by Andrea Sand on September 7, 2011 at 13:05
Congrats to the Early Bird! Thanks again for all of your hard work!
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Posted by Sydney White on September 7, 2011 at 15:48
Julia you are doing a great job! I was a resident of Woodstock for forty years (taught first grade at WES for 34 years or so) but now have moved up to Colchester. I really do enjoy getting the Woodstock news. You have done a great service during this devastating time. I wanted to say thank you! 🙂
Sydney White
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Posted by Peggy Fraser on September 7, 2011 at 17:30
Thank you for providing an invaluable information link & doing it with a smile – you’re doing a great job – congratulations!
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Posted by Cindy Metzler on September 7, 2011 at 17:50
Thank you!!!
Your blog has been my link when I am not in town.
It has become my little addiction.
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Posted by Julia Carlisle on September 7, 2011 at 17:56
Hope you and your family and home in Pittsfield are alright. Early Bird has been thinking about you!
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Posted by Ed Sharron on September 7, 2011 at 18:56
Congrats Julia and continued success! I own many of those 100K views! Thanks for keeping us informed. Love the self portrait!
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Posted by Michael Stoner on September 7, 2011 at 19:22
Julia, congratulations! You know that I (and many other people) have relied on this blog and your reporting to keep us up to date over the past week: you’ve been an invaluable source of news about our changing situation. Thanks for your hard work and dedication. You’re providing an essential community service. W00t! W00t! W00t!
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Posted by Toni Richie on September 7, 2011 at 19:25
Woot! x 100,000
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Posted by Dianne on September 7, 2011 at 19:26
Is that MY umbrella?
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Posted by kristi on September 7, 2011 at 21:43
Congratulations, and thank you 100,000 times. I am a displaced Vermonter, living in North Carolina. My grandparents, Susan and Ken Webb, lived in Woodstock for many years. I have been following you obsessively since August 28th. You are providing an invaluable service to the community. Well done!
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Posted by Julia Carlisle on September 7, 2011 at 21:54
Hey thanks! WEB
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Posted by Paula on September 7, 2011 at 22:07
Julia,
You are one great reporter! Keep up the A+ work! 🙂
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Posted by Julia Carlisle on September 11, 2011 at 13:11
Good to hear from you! I wouldn’t say we’re in a burnout period, but yes, we can take a step back and dial everything down as we go into this recovery period. Thank you for your thoughts!
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