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Early in my journalism career, a former small-town newspaper publisher taught me that a community newspaper is just that: the community’s
newspaper.

Since then, this journalist has worked tirelessly to produce a product that not only the staff can be proud of, but the community can take pride in as well. After all, that’s what it’s all about.

Metropolitan newspapers across the country cannot offer the same personal attention that a community newspaper can. Journalists working for community newspapers have the opportunity, better yet, the privilege, to celebrate in the many triumphs associated with small-town living, laugh with our readers and sometimes even cry with them as we mourn a loss in our community.

Community newspapers welcome submissions from its readers. It is common practice for hometown readers to drop by photos of the latest catch they reeled in on a trip to the river or the big buck they bagged at the local hunting camp.

Getting married? Tell the entire community with an engagement announcement. Be proud to show off your academic accomplishments with an academic announcement.

These types of submissions are ever bit news in a community newspaper as the council meeting or the high school football game.

It’s what I like to refer to as “Refrigerator News.” The type of news that parents and grandparents want to feel, not simply read on the Internet; something they can cut out and hang on their refrigerators using magnets as a bulletin board of their loved ones’ accomplishments.

Unfortunately, there are times when journalists do not enjoy their jobs as much. It’s when unpleasant or controversial news has to be reported. We as journalists have a duty to our readers to report the news as the watchdogs of this community.

One of the best benefits of a small-town, community newspaper is that not only do those living in the newspaper’s community subscribe to the paper or feed quarters to the rack outside the local convenience store, but those who leave the community subscribe, so they can keep up with what’s going on back at “home.”

Life is full of changes. Whether it’s the town you now call home or the manager at the local grocery store. We at The Greenville Advocate are not immune to change and, in fact, we embrace the changes that are in store for your newspaper. In the coming weeks, many ,pre changes will be evident in the pages of your hometown newspaper.

John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

We at The Greenville Advocate welcome feedback from our readers as we continue to provide news important to Greenville and Butler County, documenting it for future generations to come.

As for me, I am simply honored to be a part of this community and newspaper’s future.