Wow, what a wild ride the last three weeks have been.
I would like to extend a warm thank you to everyone that has already welcomed me into these three counties and to those that have already subscribed to the “new” newspaper!
The welcome I have received has been tremendous. I’ve been beating the streets for the last two weeks and have seen so many friends from “years gone by” but, I must admit, meeting new friends has been the most fun of all. I’ve met so many people and have felt welcomed into these three communities by everyone.
I was born and raised in Madison County, own and publish the Madison County Carrier and the Madison Enterprise-Recorder, and also own and publish the Jefferson County newspapers, the Monticello News and Jefferson County Journal.
One of the best things about growing up in the newspaper business has been giving back to the community and keeping all the local citizens informed of what’s happening in their corner of the world. It is with this love, desire and passion, that my daughter Cheltsie and I have embarked on this new adventure.
There’s not a lot of difference between my hometown of Madison County and my new neighboring counties that all border each other. All are quiet little towns with a lot of “neighbors.” You can find a friend on every street corner and at every turn. Small towns are the best to live in, in my opinion. You never meet a stranger and there’s always a neck to hug. Hometown folks are different than “city” folks.
I would like to invite anyone to stop by at any time, for I would love to get to know the citizens of Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette counties, just as I have grown to know (and love) everyone in Madison and Jefferson counties.
We, the staff here at the Riverbend News, have worked hard for the last seven to 10 days getting everything ready for this first edition. From writing stories to selling ads and getting newspaper racks painted and back on the street, we have pushed hard and steady to make this newspaper everything you, our readers, want in YOUR local hometown newspaper. Our intention is to bring all of you local stories about your friends and family … in your neck of the woods, and I hope to do nothing but get bigger, better and stronger through the upcoming years.
I would like to welcome anyone to give us a call and give opinions, inputs, dislikes and likes. I really invite story ideas; for I love a good story and so do all the readers of these three amazing counties. It is our intent to provide all our neighbors with insight to not only what is happening in their small community, but in their neighboring communities as well.
Great newspapers have personalities, just like old friends. So, we invite you, our friends, to sit back, take a break, and read all about your neighbors in your new Riverbend News newspaper! We would love to share our stories with you!