It is time for a new outlook on an old problem.
Chatting with a longtime client about the newspaper business, he seemed almost apologetic that his daughter and her cohort tend not to pick up a physical newspaper.
“Everything’s on their phone,” he added.
Rather than feed that sky-is-falling narrative, or feeling bad, we offered up what studies have recently confirmed: young people consume their news differently and have interests that surpass what’s happening locally.
As early adopters of the digital news space, we have had a website for decades, meeting the needs of those who like that method of access and serving snowbirds who like to stay in touch.
We have thought more about this generational divide and media ecosystem and concluded it isn’t the paper coming up short, it isn’t the parents, it is the young who are missing out.
The catch to that commentary is without print and flyer revenue, the task of chronicling this area’s history on a weekly basis and fostering local commerce will be simply unaffordable.
Even with a robust subscription list and a dose of philanthropy, access to solid, dependable, sustainable journalism online will be next to impossible in most local markets. A community needs a newspaper.
We remain grateful for the legions of small business-people that invest in keeping their community and this county strong by advertising with us.
That remains the secret sauce for our organization and those who don’t necessarily need an ad, happily patronize our print and sign division next door knowing it’s one big pot that keeps this all happening.
With reference to that concept of collegiality and the big picture, we were happy to see Eileen Brown recognized by the Erin Fall Fair for decades of volunteer service. She has spent 42 years helping the Erin Agricultural Society put on the “preview to the Royal” each Thanksgiving weekend.
That little news tidbit got us looking closer at many other examples county-wide this week, of seniors who continue to contribute to a better community all around. Coaching a fitness class at age 100, helping at a writer’s festival, sculpting a fun hand from wood, volunteering at theatre and public events.
In another one of our newspapers, Gerty Ottens was recognized for dedicating 30 years of service with the Moorefield Athletic Association.
Those decades of service are hard to imagine.
As any great volunteer will mention, the accolades received are not just their own. Behind most who give their time are friends and family who also support doing good deeds.
If we follow these exceptional examples of good in our community, success will continue for generations in the future.
Let’s encourage that.
