I remember my dad typing out “homework” from the built-in desk in our home. The drawer to the side always held a ream of yellow typing paper and the IBM electric typewriter sang with the rhythm of a lifelong journalist. He sometimes brought his work home from our newspaper to make sure he had things ready for the staff the following day. He’d type out the news releases, rip the paper from the platen, and staple it to the original for the proofreader.
Everyone in our newsroom does a similar thing with homework today, only now we have the near-silent, muted-key clicking of laptop computers tied to a Google Drive. Our advertising and production staff also take calls and answer emails after normal business hours in an attempt to keep customers moving along.
Things are very different today. Small-town newspapers have never been the work of moguls and billionaires, as have some of the national outlets. But we work hard, do our best to get things right (and correct it when we don’t) and we try to maintain the sense of community, even in a rapidly changing one like ours.
If you are reading this, you have your subscription already. But these days, as papers large and small try to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic economy, I feel compelled to remind that a newspaper subscription makes a thoughtful Christmas gift. It’s a connection to this community that so many people find attractive to visit and a window into its workings for those who have decided to move here.
Maybe you know a shutin who has dropped their subscription due to the fixed income. I gently remind you that this paper costs less than a soda or candy bar.
A newspaper can help teens prep for civics class or learn more about this town’s entertainment venues and discover how real, non-Instagram people live and work.
The paper, or its handier and more rapidly delivered electronic edition, can help keep a tie to home for college students. It can be a way for newlyweds to put down roots and become contributors to the town.
And a subscription comes with our special sections produced throughout the year.
We work hard to put out the best newspaper and magazines we can for what we consider the best small town in Texas. But we’re still a small business that still needs support.
If you subscribe now, you’ll beat the aforementioned 2022 price increase. We’re having to pass along increases from the United States Postal Service, but we’ll keep it reasonable. Hopefully, you can bring a part of this awesome town to a friend with a subscription coupon in the stocking. Those wanting to subscribe or get a gift subscription can call 512-446-5838, email suzy@rockdalereporter.com or sign up online at www.rockdalereporter.com.
And readers can rest assured we’ll still take our work (and our homework) seriously to continue to represent this town well in print.
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