Whitewater News has now been publishing for more than three years as of this past Monday.
When the paper started, I was hopeful of getting at least 3,000 online subscribers by the end of three years. How difficult can it be to get 3,000 subscribers, I thought.
Well, you helped me reach that goal … there are more than 3,100 subscribers.
We also sell about 120 copies a week.
Whitewater News is growing. When we started we were at four pages. Many times we are now six pages. And this issue, 10 pages!!!
Whitewater Region is such a fabulous place to live. In 2001, it became an amalgamated municipality when four municipalities joined together. Recently I had a short discussion with a resident about the paper.
She questioned why I put the name of a town at the start of most stories, instead of putting Whitewater Region. I thought about what she said. It’s true…we are Whitewater Region. But, there is still the uniqueness of the various areas. So, I compromised.
I decided to put Whitewater Region at the start and in brackets the location within the municipality. For example, Whitewater Region (Westmeath); Whitewater Region (Zion Line); Whitewater Region (Haley Station); Whitewater Region (Cobden) and on and on.
Now, it may seem strange to name a road as an area, such as Zion Line, but think about. That road is close to Cobden, Foresters Falls and Beachburg … depending on where you live.
I’m sure there are other examples I will come across as I continue to travel the area interviewing many people and covering community events.
Speaking of stories, I take this opportunity to thank the many people who have trusted me to write their story in the paper, whether it be a feature, sports, community, tragic or happy. I also thank those who have submitted articles and photos.
Each week, two people also write a column…Bob Grylls from Westmeath contributes through his column Bob’s Meanderings and Maynard van der Galien, a farmer in Admaston-Bromley Township, who contributes through Country Living. Thank you both for entertaining our readers.
I also take this time to thank those who have advertised with Whitewater News. Unlike most newspapers that have sales reps, this one does not. I depend on people and businesses to take the time to send an email saying they’d like to advertise.
A big thank you to Joe Kowalski for starting this venture three years ago…and continuing it into the fourth year. I know Whitewater News is not a money-maker — yet — , and I admit, every so often, I worry the phone will ring and you may be saying, time to shut it down.
But, I have come to understand how passionate you are for the development of Whitewater Region, I certainly don’t fear that phone call as much as I once did.
And lastly, I thank my husband Tim. He promotes the paper more than I do. He’s just as proud of Whitewater News as I am. He understands when I say I am attending a meeting, or going to an interview, when he would rather I spend more time at home when he’s in the house or going to a friend’s cottage on a Sunday afternoon.
I believe Whitewater News continues to keep the people in this large and wonderful municipality connected through what they read each week, whether it be online or in the pages of Whitewater News.
If you would like to advertise, submit something or suggest an idea for a story or photo, please email me at [email protected] or call me, 613-646-7753.
Thank you for the past three years….and I look forward to what will be in the pages of Whitewater News this year.
— Connie Tabbert, Editor
