Reviewing The News
I’ve spent the better part of the last two days looking at the 2022 newspapers in order to create that book that starts on the front page of today’s paper, and jumps to page 5, then page 6. I hate to double jump, but I had no choice really.
That’s one thing about the newspaper…we work a big puzzle every week. As I was looking through the old papers I found several typos…in headlines no less. Oftentimes I saw those weekly when I looked at the paper when it was returned from the printer. However, sometimes, I don’t look at the paper closely once it is in print, because I have already read it all before it goes to print. And, most weeks we have a proof reader, which helps immensely. But, I can tell you, no one will catch all the mistakes. So, as I’m looking at stories months after they were printed, I cringe whenever I see a mistake.
And it’s not just the errors. Some weeks the paper comes together nicely…some weeks not so much. Looking at the old ones, I noticed when a paper seemed like a good-reading paper. News and maybe a feature on the front page. Obituaries and perhaps another news story or two on page two.
Then we feature church news, features, social events, and more on page 3.
We don’t really have much social news…and even less since so many people want to share it on Facebook. Never mind they can share it on Facebook, and have a printed rendition of an event to print out and save forever. People don’t realize, or maybe don’t care, we run engagements, weddings, big anniversaries, births and birthdays (up to age 6) for free.
We also enjoy doing features on older people when they reach milestone birthdays. I’ve interviewed many 90 year-olds. But, it’s not for everyone. I spoke to one lady that I knew to be in the 90-year-old range. I suggested a story on her. She said, heck no…I don’t want people knowing how old I am.
It’s always been a matter of being proper…you don’t ask a lady her age. But I wonder, is it o.k. to go ahead and broadcast your age? I’ll gladly tell my age.
I’ve developed a little wisdom through the years, and my body has the wrinkles to suggest my age.
But, I digress. Page 4 is our editorial page. It features letters to the editor as well as columns each week, and once in a great while, an opinion piece. Page five may be more of that or go into something totally different.
School news typically comes next, and often overflows onto the Ready Reference, which is usually towards the middle of the paper.
Then, sometimes, specialty items. Other times, the next thing you’ll read is the legal page or pages, followed by the classified page.
And, lastly sports of some type fill out the last page or more most weeks. Looking at the old papers, when they looked organized, and easy to read, I was pleased…but they weren’t all that way. I must try harder!