"How are things at the Pine Journal?" The other day, an old friend asked that question with some degree of reticence because it seems there's been so much change with our newspaper over the past few years in the form of ownership, staff, mergers, name and location.
And indeed, in the short history the Pine Journal has been around, there has been a great deal of change. But anyone familiar with the history of the Pine Knot, one of the esteemed predecessors to the Pine Journal, will know that change is certainly no stranger to the century (plus)-old publication. Changes of ownership, changes of political leanings, changes of name, changes of office locations and even changes of community affiliation came fast and furiously as the newspaper took root and thrived.
Sometimes the word "change" gets a bum rap as always representing something bad or negative. Sometimes, perhaps we should instead look at change as "evolution...."
The first week in September, the Pine Journal will be moving its publication date to one day later in the week. Instead of printing the newspaper midday on Wednesdays, the printing will be done first thing on Thursday mornings.
What does that mean to readers and advertisers? It means the Pine Journal will be available on newsstands and at dealers on Thursday afternoon, and county subscribers will get it in their mailboxes on Friday.
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We at the Pine Journal truly believe that by adding an extra day in the week to produce the newspaper will pay off for you as readers and advertisers as well as for our staff - in terms of more timely and comprehensive news, sports and advertising.
With deadlines for news and advertising submissions falling a day later in the week, we hope more folks will find it easier to meet them in a convenient manner.
With more time to cover Tuesday night meetings and sports (one of the busiest nights of the week), there should be a noticeable difference in the timeliness and thoroughness of the news and sports as they happen.
And though the new publication schedule will take some getting used to for all of us, we hope you will grow to appreciate the difference.
Wendy Johnson
