This coming Thursday, July 29, one year ago, Cheltsie and I found ourselves as the proud new owners of the Riverbend News, a newspaper that we "gave birth" to in a short three weeks after we had learned that the Suwannee Democrat, Mayo Free Press and Jasper News had closed their doors. It wasn't that we just wanted another newspaper … it was that we love to serve and keep local citizens informed of what's happening in their corner of the world.
The welcome we have received, for the past year, has been tremendous. I, personally, have re-connected with so many "old" friends and have become very good friends with so many new folks. I love being a part of these three communities; for I never meet a stranger and there's always a neck to hug. Hometown folks are different than "city" folks.
We, the staff here at the Riverbend News, have worked hard for the last year to make your community newspaper the best around. We strive weekly to provide informational needs in your communities; search for new ways to serve our readers and strengthen their communities; help boost the local economy through advertising and news coverage; spotlight "mom and pop" businesses in order to reach more prospective customers; tell of the good news within the communities – news of civic club fundraisers, church gatherings, little-league registrations, chamber of commerce happenings, students who make the honor roll, birthdays and anniversaries and help neighbors get to know each other better. We also strive to provide a forum for our readers by allowing their voices to be heard with Letters To The Editor and Guest Columns.
It is also our job (as a community newspaper) to serve as a "watchdog" to hold elected government officials accountable. We sometimes have to use public records requests in order to uphold the "Freedom of Information" so that community citizens are kept informed.
The staff here at the newspaper are more like family members than co-workers. We are all dedicated and each and every one of us truly love our job and enjoy serving each and every one of you! 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.
So, thank you, our faithful patrons, for helping us grow bigger and stronger for the last 12 months and we hope to do nothing but become bigger, better and even stronger through the upcoming years.
In celebration of our anniversary, I would love to invite everyone to our "Anniversary Party" next Thursday, Aug. 5, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Suwannee County Historical Museum, located at 208 Ohio Ave. N, in Live Oak. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served and it is a walk-in party … so you all are free to come and leave as you choose.
Please stop by and celebrate our anniversary with us and let us meet each of you! It would be our pleasure!