Speed bump.

Originally published in Countryside Post, Issue 1.4.

Every once in a while you hit a “slow news week,” where there’s nothing to report on but Presidential scandals, and the Post won’t write about that, which makes the week slower. Isn’t this an election year? Isn’t the public supposed to be busily sending their local paper letters about how wonderful this or that candidate is? The Post may not endorse anyone, but you certainly can. There are, after all, only four weeks until the election for you to say something. So say something! Mail, e-mail or fax it to the Post.

Change is 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥.

Originally published in Countryside Post, Issue 1.3.

Okay, so change isn’t always good. I’m reminded of the example of “New Coke” a decade ago. The idea made me wonder what Coca-Cola’s executives were really doing with the cocaine they were supposedly extracting from the coca leaves they put in their soda.

Well, the Post didn’t change anything but the day it circulates. Hopefully that won’t traumatize you too much. Especially after a snafu at the phone company caused our number to be disconnected for two days. Half of you probably thought the Post went out of business or something.

I do apologize for not giving you more advance warning. That was a business decision, and as editor, I don’t handle the business; I handle the news. But as far as the news is concerned, I suspect you’ll find the Post’s new schedule more convenient.

Misteaks were made.

Originally published in Countryside Post, Issue 1.2.

About four years ago, at the next-to-last newspaper I edited, we had a horrible number of mistakes one issue. To me, “horrible” is more than two errors, but this was really bad. Dang near spelled my own name wrong.

The next issue, I explained, “Our paper has something for everyone. If you’re the type who isn’t happy unless you have something to nitpick, we have kindly provided you with lots and lots of typos.”

Well, same thing seems to have happened in the last issue of the Post. No surprise; there are always a thousand little annoyances that crop up when it’s a first issue. Jill and I were up until 2 a.m. the night before our deadline, and woke up bright and early at 6 a.m. the next morning to proofread. Even Jill, who sometimes can be the most obnoxious morning person (okay, so I’m a night person) was a zombie that day. You try proofreading on four hours’ sleep. That’s no excuse. That’s an explanation.

The community is invited to join in.

Originally published in Countryside Post, Issue 1.1.

If you’re impressed with this first issue, thank you! If you’re not impressed, well, neither am I. First issues don’t really mean a lot anyway. It’s how they look after about a year or so. There are a lot of things I would have loved to see in this first issue, but the reason they aren’t here is because you all still have to produce them.

Yes, you. Countryside Post will be attempting to live up to the title “community paper” by letting, for once, a community contribute to its local paper. If you think about it, it’s not something you see very often. Many of the people who work at a newspaper often don’t live in the area they cover. Many of them were hired from other towns, and hired not because they know the area, but because they graduated from journalism school. If you’ve ever wondered why a paper gets so out of touch with its readership, that’s why.

I personally am no different, I suppose, but that’s just me. The publisher’s a local. And hopefully, all the Post’s writers—that’s you—will be local. And hopefully you’ll be encouraged to contribute after you see what we’re attempting to start up.