Howdy and thanks for stopping by and checking out Patch.com! It's undoubtedly the future of local news and information. I'm happy and proud to be a part of it.

My name is John McTaggart and I am an award-winning columnist and journalist with over a dozen years worth of experience covering everything from local schools to government to arts and entertainment. Admittedly, though, sports are my bread and butter.

Naturally, I love sports—at all levels, but I truly love local sports. It doesn't matter to me whether it's the local high school varsity team, the Pee-Wee football squad or a bunch of 60-somethings playing softball—there are so many wonderful, interesting, entertaining and uplifting stories found in each level, on each team. My job is to tell those stories to you.

Although the world of sports can offer plenty of tales, this entire area is heaping with incredible people, events and happenings. As a features writer and photographer, I'm determined to tell as many of these stories as possible, too. That said, don't be afraid to email me if you think you have a story you believe needs to be told. That's my job here at Patch.com—to tell the stories that make your community so unique and so special.

When I'm not writing, I'm probably out somewhere running around for my 501c3 non-profit, Lily's Love Foundation. One of our programs, Gabe's Gang Pet Soup Kitchen provides free dog and cat food to the homeless and families in temporary economic crisis. You can imagine, given the economic times, how busy we are all the time. You might also catch me playing with one of my three furry kids (mini-dachshunds): Gabe, Gracie or Toby! Oh yea, and there's a good chance I'll have a camera with me for it all!

I consider myself an independent politically, and am a very spiritual person. I am an animal rights supporter, and like to believe that one person can in fact make a difference in the world.   Guess what…they can!