Perhaps you may not realize it, but this week is National Newspaper Week. This year’s observance is Oct. 7-13 with the theme,  “Journalism matters. NOW more than ever.” The 78th annual National Newspaper Week is a recognition of the service of newspapers and their employees across North America and is sponsored by Newspaper Association Managers.

I find great pride in being a small part of the oldest weekly newspaper in the great state of Wyoming. For 132 years the Lusk Herald has not missed an edition, and I for one, do not want to be the one that destroys this incredible feat. I also use this fact as a weapon, when necessary, and wield it with abandon to accomplish the task.

Recently the Lusk Herald lost all internet and phone service. Of course, it occurred on a Tuesday. Paper layout day. The worst possible scenario for the production of our local paper. Our office manager contacted our internet provider and explained the situation and then we trudged ahead to finish the edition.

Six hours later, we still had no service. Once again, our office manager contacted the provider’s call center and was told that service could not be restored until the following day. This is when I stepped in. After politely explaining our predicament, the call center employee flippantly told me there was nothing to be done. This is when the brandishing began. “Sir, the Lusk Herald is the oldest weekly newspaper in our great state of Wyoming. We have not missed an issue since 1886 and I do not intend on being the first one to do so. Please let me speak to your supervisor. Long story short, service was restored and the paper was sent to print.

If I had to choose one word to describe what a small town newspaper means to a community, I would have to choose the word faith. The word faith is often used as a conceptual synonym for hope, trust, belief or knowledge. This definition best describes what the Lusk Herald means to this community, in my opinion.  

Established on May 20, 1886 at the tent city of Silver Cliff, J.K. Calkins demonstrated the fluid foresight that is maintained to the present in the newspaper industry. On July 20, 1886 he purchased Lot five, Block five for $225 on the opening day of lot sales of the recently platted town of Lusk and erected the second building in the novel community. He immediately became the gatherer of the early history and compiled that information for the present and future communal knowledge base. 

In the dusty, yellowed archives one can experience the growth and change of not only our insulated   neighborhood but also the world as a whole. The attitudes and beliefs are demonstrated in the transformations of how information was conveyed through the years and continues to develop to the current day.  

From the humble beginnings of a newspaper type set in a tent to the current computer generated weekly publications, the press have strived to provide quality journalism while balancing the bottom line.  This would not be possible without the trust of the community. Trust in accurate, unbiased and fair reporting, confidence in a worthy and timely result, assurance in value for their marketing resources.

For more than 132 years the Lusk Herald has generated 6,864 weekly editions.  It has kept us informed from the aftermath of the Civil War to the present day war on terrorism.  It has reported on the mundane and the vital statistics that is the fabric of a generational population.  

Newspapers, in general, give us a tangible account of our successes and our failures.  There is a comfort in the familiar and hope in the indefinite.

I recently read an article written by Tim Smith of Tim Smith Consulting. In the article he stated, “Running a good newspaper isn’t rocket science.  Focusing on the reader and not stock holders are an important part of running a good paper and too many of the large papers have forgotten that.  Our plan to grow and thrive has always been based around the idea of formulating a newspaper each week with information that our reader (customer) wants to know and needs to know.  We focus on good writing, photography, and design to package it in an appealing way so the customer can take in the information without working hard.”

There is a slippery slope between providing readers with current content and generating revenue to continue to do so. Without the support of the community, we would not have a newspaper. Every ad purchased is vital to the Lusk Herald. From thank you ads to legal notices, each one is important and appreciated. 

There is still much work to be done and considerable changes to be implemented. Suggestions and input are always welcomed and needed. This is your local paper. The Lusk Herald is in service to our community.