So just what is there to like about Ladue and Frontenac? I suppose you could say about everything.

Journalists have special privileges and responsibilities while covering local communities. Ladue-Frontenac Patch is part of a big and bold venture: online news coverage seven days a week. My job is to cover our communities as only a native can.

My particular interests are people. The people in the unique communities of Ladue and Frontenac have endless stories to tell. Our collective goal should be getting to know each other better. Lucky for me, I grew up in Ladue, so in a sense, I've got a head start.

Let's let everyone tell their story. That way we can find out just what makes people tick.  Like a watchmaker, we can see how intricate parts all mesh. We can find out just what makes people passionate about his/her careers and their lives.  One month ago, when freshly hired by Patch, I was reminded that Ladue and Frontenac was home to some of the most successful people in St. Louis.

The Hall of Fame's Stan Musial lives in Ladue. So does Fox 2's weathercaster Dave Murray, PGA golfer Jay Williamson; former major leaguer Andy Van Slyke; broadcast magnate Ted Koplar, infertility surgeon Dr. Sherman Silber and new State Sen. John Lamping. Ladue and Frontenac are home to successful surgeons, attorneys, scholars and business executives. The Cardinals Wizard Ozzie Smith once lived off Litzsinger Road.

One month ago, I didn't happen to know either Irene Holmes of Ladue or Bob Shelton from Frontenac. I found both to be particularly engaging and passionate about their enclaves. Holmes is the mayor of Ladue who will proudly refile for her office Dec. 14 and walks door to door on weekends to better determine the needs of her neighbors. Shelton rides herd as city adminstrator of Frontenac and introduced me to his entire professional staff in one fell swoop.

Over at Plaza Frontenac, I was lucky to meet up with busy Rena Abrams, the engaging and savvy marketing director for the area's premier shopping destination.

You probably don't know Jennifer McBride. This young woman is passionate about her St. Louis County Library. She heads up publicity for the library system, and profides timely information to dozens of new Patch editors.

Jeremy Schlensker and his wife Patty staked their personal fortunes to purchase Ladue Auto Service on Warson Road and deliver the kind of service their neighborhood customers expect.

Our local schools are loaded with dedicated individuals, trying to make each day better for their school community. Marsha Chappelow, superintendent of Ladue's growing education system dropped about everything to talk to Ladue-Frontenac Patch for more than hour. We hope you enjoy her interview in this launch issue.

Perhaps you don't know Sister Pat Dunphy or Athletic Director Michaela Witcher at Frontenac's St. Joseph Academy. They are busy setting up meetings and sweeping the floors, long after the over-achieving students have gone home.

Behind the scenes are dedicated public relations-oriented people, making sure their student's accomplishments get noticed. MICDS has the trio of Dave Nowak, Debbie Higgins and Gary Lobstein publicizing the Rams. Ellen Bremner runs a one-person shop at John Burroughs. Former TV producer Sapna Jos boosts the accomplishments of  Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School students while Susan Dielmann and Laura Davidson provide the words and pictures for Ladue Schools' nearly 4,000 students. Community School has Laura Falk trumpeting its cause.

You get the idea! Great people, great stories. My goal is to meet lots of people and find out just what makes them tick and continue to explore why Ladue and Frontenac are so special.