Wow – time sure flies when you’re having fun! (Well, mostly.)
Seven years ago on November 22nd 2007, after several months of envisioning, researching, planning (and yes praying), two otherwise reasonably bright individuals (Lawson Koeppel and I) pulled the cord on the project we had been working on and “The Roanoke Star-Sentinel” was born. (We shortened the name to The Roanoke Star in 2012.)
I say “otherwise bright” because if we had had ANY idea what we were getting ourselves into we probably would have immediately set out in search of a job ditch digging or barn cleaning or some other equally romantic task.
Newspaper publishing, as it turns out, is no easy business. But then again, neither is most anything else. Just ask anyone who has ever opened their own enterprise – small or large. I am reminded of the response Frederick Buechner’s grandmother gave him when he advised her he was going into the ministry: “Was it your own idea or were you just poorly informed.”
At the time we were given three months minimum and nine months max before we would have to close our doors. One business magazine publisher in particular forecasted that our ink, “would be permanently dry in less than 12 weeks.”
But as a few famous sports lines go: “Not so fast my friend!” “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over” and “That’s why they play the game.” Because we are still here, and I have to confess, it feels pretty good.
But I also have to confess that it feels pretty miraculous. We always seem to receive just what we need right when we need it – never a moment too soon – and that, in itself, feels like a bit of a benediction. Call it luck. Call it providence. Call it some portion of both mixed up with a little hard work. Whatever the case – we have now published 311 newspapers.
311. Who would have thunk it?
Probably not Lawson or I, if we were completely honest with ourselves. And certainly not Mr. business magazine man.
Ultimately, our success rests on the shoulders of a great many people who have been part of this enterprise over the last seven years: In particular I would have to name all of our production personnel including, Stephen Nelson, Leigh Sackett, Aaron Kelderhouse and Doris Hoffman. As well as our current and former sales managers Vickie Henderson and Bill Bratton and book keepers Denise Knisely and Beth Anne Revercomb.
Gene Marrano, Valerie Garner, Beverly Amsler and Bill Turner have contributed immensely on the content side and every one of our perspective and contributing writers and photographers (too numerous to name) have contributed countless hours (columns / stories / photos) to our success.
And then there are the advertisers – the loyal customers who by utilizing this vehicle in print and online as part of their marketing mix have allowed us all to enjoy what is, at the end of the day, a “community trust” – an entity that no one really “owns” as it seeks to “lift up the positive people, places and events that make life what it is in this beautiful valley.”
So thank you everyone. I sincerely mean that – every last one of you – your work and your patience and your trust have allowed many a great story to be told and many a heart to be lifted . . . and you can’t put a price on that.
Even if it had been for only twelve weeks.
But we’re optimistic that we will be around for a great many more and along those lines will be making some changes in January. Readership on our website, which is updated daily, is growing rapidly and now reaches over 21,000 readers a week. And unlike other local publications it will always be FREE.
Accordingly, we are going to transition our print edition to a monthly offering that will hit front porches and newsstands on the first Friday of each month. It will be in a new “Tab” format and will feature the very best of the same news, features, sports and perspective coverage that you have always enjoyed. With the additional time for production look for articles that go a little deeper and substantially more pages of great local content per issue.
Finally, I would like to thank you, our loyal readers – especially those who support us through their paid subscriptions of $55 a year. Without you we would have never made it those first few weeks, much less these last seven years. Here’s to what we have all accomplished together by God’s sweet grace.
Stuart Revercomb
Publisher