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Show Sentinel Identity Crisis: What is a newspaper? Benjamin events Guardian of Your Community Neips A4 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 1 , 2010 Lane Henderson PUBLISHER For four years now, we've worked long hours for her; we've scraped for every column inch of advertising and every single subscriber for her; we've seen her grow into a prime example of hometown community journalism at it's best and brightest. But now it's time to let her go. Frankly, we're tired. It's painfully clear that the newspaper industry is at another impasse. But this one is much different than those of years past. We've been thrown into the uncharted waters of today's multi-channel world, while trying not to drown in the "Great Recession." Seems like every day someone is launching an advertising piece to compete for fewer and fewer dollars from business owners. And I often wonder, where in the world is everything headed? I have spent my entire life in the printing industry. Some of my fondest memories as a kid were working in my dad's plant — hearing the roar of the presses, feeling the floor vibrating and watching craftsmen in action — not to mention the smell. To me, it was where the rubber met the road. I was fascinated with the concepts of .water not mixing with ink and the unwinding of one-ton rolls of newsprint. For me, it was poetry in motion. Printing is in my blood. The old adage that we have ink running through our veins is true. That being said, we are now faced with a dramatic shift in the industry. It is not enough to be simply a printer anymore. Those days are about to end. We at J-Mart have had to embrace change and invest in new technology and the future to bring our company back to formidable growth and prosperity. Our focus will be geared towards revenue-producing digital and offset printing services, while our cash-draining services like The Sentinel will be placed on the shelf. While the free press usually operates in the time-honored style of a lone publisher and editor publishing a newspaper for a tiny community, we must face the reality of the end of independence. We have already seen countless northern weeklies consumed and put out to pasture. I know that small community newspapers are often taken for granted, but just ask the people of any small town that have lost their local newspaper — or never had one — what they think. They know the virtues and the benefits of the printed word. A friend of mine once said, "A birth certificate shows we were born. A death certificate shows that we died. But a newspaper shows that we not only were born or died, but that we lived." The real value of a hometown paper first struck me while I, as a young man, was living in northern Italy. Being away from a small Utah town thrust into a large urban area is difficult enough, let alone being separated from family, friends and sports. My most anticipated piece of mail, other than regular letters from my parents and girlfriend, was the newspaper. Woven through its pages were the history and happenings of a community steeped in pioneer heritage and laced with tidbits of everyday life. From the lead headline, to the smallest classified ad, one could feel part of a town and its people. It is true that a small newspaper can, over the course of time, report and print the name of every citizen within the boundaries of its readership. The printed page will report it all: when you were born, if you earned a spot in the school play, how many home-runs you hit in your baseball career, when you graduated and your community service. It will carry pictures and lines of you when you volunteered to carry your religion to the world or represent our country in the military. It will even show a picture of the girl you chose to marry. In my mind, no other source can give you the grassroots report like a hometown newspaper. Newspapers serve as a conduit of information, ideas, thoughts and opinions. Our right to know and to be informed is a fundamental human right. A free press serves the people's right to know. We appreciate the opportunity we have had to report the news to you. And as we look back 20 years from now, will we say we were victims of the Great Recession or will we say it was the recession that made our community and people great? One way or another, the true story was reported and printed of the people who lived, loved and died in the place we call home. Just the truth in parting .in... Dana Robinson ASSOCIATE E D I T O R The Sentinel, like many media entities in these times of economic downturn, had to make the tough decision and in this case the right decision. The fact is that no form of media — television, radio, magazines, the internet and newspaper — can survive without sufficient advertising revenues. Simply put, we are gone because the advertising income just wasn't there. The truth be known, a very small percentage of the business community chose to support the paper by consistently buying ads. There were, however, some exceptions (see list below) and I thank them. I want you valued advertisers and readers to know that the two-and-a-half years I have been the advertising director for the paper have been what any good life experience is supposed to be, both challenging and rewarding. I have had the privilege of working with an outstanding editor, Namon Bills, a top-flight publisher, Lane Henderson, and a dedicated, talented team of both adults and high school students. I've made new friends in the office and on Main Street. Life is good and the memories 1 take from my sojourn in community news are definitely good. A wise soul once said, "It's not the getting in life that counts; it's the giving." All of us at the Sentinel gave our best, our all, and we close this chapter in our lives feeling good about what we accomplished with the only regret being that the chapter wasn't a little longer. It would be remiss of me if I did not express my gratitude to our subscribers for seeing the value of our product and wanting the paper in their home. Your subscription, coupled with your engaging in business with our advertisers, allowed our journey as the Guardian of Your Community News to enjoy additional months of life. As the Director of Advertising and Associate Editor of first The Spanish Fork News which became The Sentinel, it is my hope that A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR BEST ADVERTISERS Spanish Fork News/The Sentinel Barber Bros. Beehive Health Essentials Big O Tires Crisp's Dickerson Automotive Drew Briney Attorney At Law Dr. Karl Francis Grade Lou's Quilt Shoppe HearthStone Manor Hot Properties Jaxies MVP Sports Oil Change Primrose Retreat Robarge Collision Robert Nelson Construction Rocky's American Car Care Salem Hills Pharmacy Security Home Mortgage Security Insurance Shepherd's Carpet and Furniture Smith Auto Company Western States Insurance all who read the paper felt that grand sense of community, that some hearts were touched, that we helped you think and feel a little more. We brought smiles, even laughter at times, and I hope that no matter what your age we through our efforts made a positive difference in your life. Personally speaking, you good citizens and business associates have certainly done that in mine. In parting let me simply state for the record that all of us who worked tirelessly to produce an awardwinning newspaper did not fail, nor did the paper fail to fulfill its purpose. For when you are serving your community you can truly savor the sweet smell of success. 'Round and About Benjamin Kathleen Olsen Benjamin LDS church members enjoyed Spanish Fork Utah West Stake on Mar. 20 and 21, where Elder Robert D, Hales of the Council of the Twelve and Elder Stephen Lund of the Seventies were special guests. Adults met at the stake center on Saturday evening, Mar. 20, and Benjamin families of both wards met at the Benjamin Church on Sunday morning where the proceedings were piped into. Both sessions were wonderful and we were well nourished. We send thanks to our Stake Presidency for the efforts they made in putting this together. ••• Benjamin 1st Ward Relief Society members and their husbands or special guests enjoyed celebrating the 168th founding of Relief Society on Friday, Mar. 19, 2010. A delicious supper was served followed by speaker, Janeen Baadsgaard, who addressed the group with a delightful and insightful speech. The evening began with a greeting from President LuAnn Wride. Serving was taken care of by the outgoing presidency, Shirley Shepherd, Phyllis King, Carolyn Burningham and Susan Beckstrom, and the new presidency, LuAnn Wride, Bethene Jasper, Karla Peterson and Eva Prestwich. Others who helped included Tonie Thorpe, Bonnie Foy, Verna Rohbock, Debora Shell, Kathy Nielson, Sherrie Hansen, Cecile Peay, Tammy Peay, Janet Reynolds and Janet Reynolds. ••• Death touched Benjamin twice on Saturday, Mar. 20, 2010. Martha Holm Hansen Graham died Saturday morning. She had been living in Spanish Fork for a number of years but had spent many years in Benjamin. She was the mother of five children including Michael Hansen who continues to live here and had served in many positions in the ward and community. Following her husband's death, she moved to Spanish Fork but maintained many friendships in Benjamin. We offer our sympathy to Mike and Sharry Hansen and Martha's extended family and her friends. Her funeral was held on March 24. ••• Saturday morning, Mar. 20, 2010, saw the death of our good friend, Sherron Lee Beamson. Sherron and her husband, Rich, moved here several years ago from Mapleton and they were welcomed to Benjamin and became an integral of our community. Sherron was a special neighbor and ready to do whatever needed to be done. She had many talents which she shared with others and was willing to help anywhere. She will be missed by many and we send our best wishes to her husband. Rich,and the rest of their family plus their many friends. Funeral services were held March 25. ••• Congratulations to Valerie Ann Hales and Milan Dean Muhlestein who will be married on Friday, Apr. 2, 2010, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Valerie is the daughter of Mike and Julie Hales and the granddaughter of Bert and Lucille Argyle. ••• A reminder to Benjamin 4-H Livestock Club members of the meeting tonight (Thursday, April 1, 2010). This will take place in the Benjamin Church where final instructions for the upcoming Benjamin stock show will be given. Entry forms for the Utah State Livestock Show are,, also due. It is important that all members and their parents be in attendance. Also, everyone is invited to remember the Benjamin Livestock Club Show which will take place on Saturday, Apr. 24, 2010, at Browns' Arena in Payson. Everyone is invited to this free event that helps prepare the club members for the larger state shows throughout the summer. ••• Thanks to everyone who, over the past few years, have allowed us to share their special stories concerning their lives. We also appreciate those who responded to various articles and encouraged us to carry on. Thanks again and good luck to all. BIG SAVINGS SAFETY INSPECT EMISSIONSTEST on the spot renewal included at no extra cha Salem Hills Courier Barber Bros. Big O Tires Capital Community Bank Crisp's Gracie Lou's Quilt Shoppe Mel Hanks & Sons Primrose Retreat Robarge Collision Robert Nelson Construction Salem Hills Pharmacy Security Insurance Shepherd's Carpet and Furniture Smith Auto company Western States Insurance* Woodland Dental on t h e y ^ | renewal Expires 4/15/10 WE DO DIESELS Any Diesel diagnostic or repair over $100.00 Expires 4/15/10 Not valid with any other coupon/offer. AND SERVICE 1447 N. Main Spanish Fork 801 -798-1822 WE DO IT ALL! |