This year Newspapers will start celebrating their own thanks-giving of sorts, in advance of Thanksgiving weekend.
Oct. 6 to 12 Newspapers observe National Newspaper week, an event recognized across North America. This year’s theme is “Your Newspaper, Your Community, Your Life.”
We are very thankful for the support of residents and businesses across Wellington County. For 45 years we have had the privilege of delivering good News, great News and humbly sharing some sad News.
It has been an honour to be the primary marketing venue for most small businesses and groups that need to reach Wellington County with their message. Governments of all levels have benefited from unique access to every household in its jurisdiction for prescriptive notices, informative messages or general communication with the public it represents.
While the methodology of Newspaper organizations differ, we sense through our work at the Ontario Community Newspaper Association that regardless of model – paid, free, corporate or independent – there is a genuine desire to serve readers and the local business community well.
Some do it better than others, but that is itself, one of those facts of life that all business owners face.
The past decade has been difficult for the Newspaper industry. While local community papers have certainly had to up their game in recent years, the daily Newspapers have had a much harder struggle in this age of instant News on the internet.
Most hometown Newspapers have websites and employ other digital technologies. The saving grace for small town papers, however, has been a very loyal public and the fact that most proprietors actually care about the community they serve. Wise publishers will invest in the community they serve, whether it is by hiring qualified reporting staff or offering discounts to charitable organizations.
One of the interesting facets of our publication is the number of communities we serve. From small villages and towns, to hamlets of just a few homes, to country lanes miles apart, we are dedicated to serving everyone across the county.
A columnist elsewhere, long since retired, opined that to him, the Advertiser was the glue that holds this big county together. That certainly is our hope and remains our challenge.
As for the “your life” aspect of the slogan celebrating Newspaper week, we see every week how we impact Wellington County. Whether it is our letters page, celebrations, in memoriam notations, News of a winning Sports team, our list of coming events across this region, or the hundreds of advertisers that choose our Newspaper to promote their business each week, we are part of your life.
And like most good Newspaper people, when our community celebrates or answers calls for help we feel it – the highs, the lows, the fears and every so often tears. We’re your Newspaper, your community, your life.
Thank you so much, Wellington.
