By MARK SAGE/Staff

So what do you think? He asks holding his breath.
Yeah, I know, it’s different. But I think, and somehow I got a good group bosses and others to agree with me, it’s different in a good, ground-breaking, this-is-something sort of way.
That’s to say I like the new front design.
Creative Services Deb King was the main creator. So it she who is exclusively to thank, if you like it. Just send me the e-mails if you don’t.
Why did we do it, you ask. Well, because we were changing the width of our paper and wanted to do something that said, “we’re really changing the width of our paper.”
As far as I know, only one other paper uses a style where the name runs vertically. It’s in Canada, so does that really count?
More than that, I hope that the change can help to drive us to greater changes, ones that more directly impact journalism. I hope that the change can spur us to try new things, interview new people, find new stories.
And I hope that you like it, at least half as much as I do. If you do, please let me know. If you don’t let me know too. Or send an e-mail to . At the very least, fill out the form on Page A7 and send it back by next week.
As always, give me some tips, hints, suggestions (even if is only where to go – we’re all looking for cheap trips this summer). 
We’ll keep working to improve the newspaper. You keep reading and holding me to that promise. I’ll thank you for it.

I absolutely love the new change!.............we all need to start somewhere ,
It’s a nice clean European flair style…...in our small towns. Keep the content with a local feel and a bit of the outside news, we all need to know what is going on around us and it’s nice to know information about the neighboring towns & cities to enjoy their shopping, food and unique places to visit. Especially coming from a metro area, I love finding the treasures of nearby cities, towns and rural areas in this Best Kept Secret neck of the woods!

Great Job!

I like it.  They say change is good and I think it applies here too.  I read the area news on the website but continue to buy the “hard copy” newspaper on Wednesday and Saturday to view small stories, classifieds and sales papers. 

If I might stray from the subject just a bit….....

The only small issue that I have with the paper coming out on Wednesday/Saturday is related to yard sales.  I like to see where local yard sales will be on Friday/Saturday.  Since the paper now comes out on Saturday vs Thursday, it’s too late to see Friday sales, unless it is posted on Wednesday.  With the unpredictable weather, I feel that many people have cut back on posting yard sale ads in the paper, as the cutoff date for Wednesday’s paper is too long of a gap until Friday.  You basically have to place an ad a full week in advance, without getting a view of the long range weather forcast for the week.  If you post an ad and a tropical storm rolls in from the gulf three days later, your washed out and have thrown away the ad money. 

Maybe a Tuesday and Friday paper would work better?  Tuesday to cover the weekend events and news vs waiting until Wednesday.  By the time Wednesday’s paper comes out, the weekend news can be old.  Older folks, those without computers or those that are not computer friendly could be left behind.  A Friday morning paper would allow time to view yard sales and grocery store sale papers, as a lot of people grocery shop on Friday/Saturday, since pay day for many people is usually Thursday.  Newspaper coupons and advertised sales in grocery stores that require bonus cards are being used more than ever in today’s economy.  I, myself, am looking at every angle to save and make money.  Just my opinion…....

All in all, a good change.  Thanks.