Back in the Grayslake Groove

Greetings Grayslake friends and neighbors! This is Angela Sykora,

There's a great chance you already know me, so I feel like I'm coming home again. "I'm back, back in the Grayslake groove!" (Shout out to guitar god Ace Frehley's cover of "New York Groove")

I was the reporter for the former Grayslake Review weekly newspaper for about 10 years. During my career with Pioneer Press I was fortunate to have Grayslake as one of my primary beats, along with Gurnee.

I've always enjoyed covering all the happenings in Grayslake. Now I get to do it exclusively, so keep an eye out for me and say hello!

To tell you a little bit about my background, I am a native east-coaster who attended Hershey High School in Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh. After college, I moved with my parents to Illinois, where my extended family lives. I currently reside in Volo.

I've been a reporter for about 12 years now. My first journalism job after college was at the former Lakeland Newspapers in downtown Grayslake. I loved being right next-door to the original .

I then moved on to Pioneer Press, where I worked for 10 years before being laid-off when several titles, including the Grayslake Review, were closed.

In the interim, I freelanced for Patch and Shaw Suburban Media. I finally landed the perfect job for me, as your Patch local editor.

I plan to strive to fill the big shoes of your former editor, my friend and colleague, , who is now an assistant regional editor for Patch. I want to thank her for her confidence in me.

I also want to give a big shout out to longtime Patch freelancer , "A1" as we call her, who has done a stellar job as interim editor. She is a most talented and dedicated journalist and a real asset to the Patch community.

I am really looking forward to being your new local editor and invite everyone to contact me at angela.sykora@patch.com or (847) 643-6001 with story ideas, questions, comments and suggestions.  After all, this is your site, Grayslake! I just manage it.

Most Sincerely,