In my mind, the newspaper has always been the heart of the community — a means to make manifest our common humanity.
From my first day on the job more than 24 years ago to continuing now in changed circumstances, I have given my best to help keep that heart beating.
The community newspaper is in the unique position of not only telling what happened or might happen, but of making things happen.
When the paper tells the story, the community responds, things happen — a family with a sick child gets help, a treasured possession, even an old friend, is recovered, people find the services they need, organizations get volunteers or funding so they can carry on their work.
The paper is an opportunity for people to make their own comments, buy and sell, find entertainment and activities to take part in or smile at a cartoon.
It is natural for us to want to know our space and the people around us and to help when needs are known. The response comes from a large love and desire to make things better through giving what they can. The newspaper also helps people learn about local issues of all kinds so they can make informed decisions about what to do to make a difference in a broader, long-term context. The community newspaper provides the place to connect.
From the early days when I had to explain to people just what a Morning Star was when I called to ask for an interview, the people of the area have been the newspaper, mostly for good, and sometimes, regrettably, for worse.
The newspaper is part of our way to make known what our moment in history in this place is like.
Of course, a community can exist without a written newspaper. Life went on when people shared their news orally. As a reader of history and historical novels, I am always thrilled when newspapers are mentioned in some way — I like the mental picture of news sheets nailed to walls and those who could read then reading them aloud to others who couldn’t.
So the tradition continues. It has been my privilege to be a small part of so many worthwhile public and personal projects by writing about them. I talk to people about their visions, ideas and experiences and write their stories so that others who share their ideals and want to help can join them. I confess that sometimes I have thought to myself, “This would be incredibly wonderful, but it is such a big project. I hope they can do it.”
And they did. Many large and smaller projects about better ways to do things, with or without specific buildings, are now a much appreciated reality. Numerous fundraisers to support these projects take place annually so that the good work can continue.
The people, together and individually, make the difference.
Each person goes through life with some tragedies that tear everything apart forever, some triumphs that colour the world golden, and some find ways to make tragedies into inspiring triumphs. Reading these stories about real people who live among us sustains and encourages us. It makes us happy for those who are finding better ways and helps us think that we, too, can overcome what is coming at us. I know I was often comforted and uplifted by the people who trusted the newspaper to tell their stories.
I hope I can see The Morning Star celebrate 50 years as a community newspaper and read all about the good things that are yet to happen because the people and the paper work together.
The heart beat will go on.
