The Weekly View will celebrate its 13th Anniversary on March 13! On that date in 2009, the first edition of the paper was printed and distributed to over 500 points throughout the city, and we’ve been publishing ever since!
While 13 is considered an unlucky number by some people, we think that this year will offer a turning point for us, and we’re eager to meet new opportunities and challenges. A baker’s dozen years is no easy feat for any publication, and in the day and age of fast everything, it’s nice to think that we give so many people an opportunity to slow down, relax with a newspaper, and give our readers a little time to themselves.
We had the goal of bringing positive news, information, and entertainment to the greater east side of Indianapolis and western Hancock County. We have a wide distribution area that encompasses semi-rural neighborhoods, to bustling downtown Indianapolis. Our paper carriers have been great about negotiating all the street closures in all kinds of conditions, and we thank them for their work.
While some think that the “dead tree” newspaper is a thing of the past, we believe that there is a place for the printed page in our community. Newspapers don’t require a computer or passwords or WiFi to access information. Studies have shown time and again that people trust newspapers as sources of news over TV, radio, cable, streaming, or Web sites. We get phone calls and e-mails every week thanking us for continuing to publish a paper edition of the Weekly View that can be shared with friends and family.
We’ve been blessed by the continued support of our thousands of readers, and our advertisers. Many of advertisers have been with us from the beginning, and we thank them for their continued support. We have also been honored by a great line-up of writers and columnists who make our weekly paper fly off the shelves every week.
Over the last 13 years, we’ve undergone changes and challenges, including the loss last year of our very own sports guy and food critic, Steve Nicewanger. More than a writer and columnist for us, he was Paula’s husband of 50 years, and a tireless supporter and cheerleader for the paper. We miss his take on the week’s games and races every week, and we miss his presence in our lives.
In addition, our friend and columnist Linda Kennett is discontinuing her What’s In the Attic column after many years of writing for us and other publications. She is an amazing woman who is very active helping others in Irvington, and would like to devote her energies to her family and other pursuits. We will be rerunning her columns after April 1 and she will be contributing a new column on a monthly basis.
This past year has been especially challenging for us. Everyone in publishing is feeling the stress of fewer print advertisers and higher expenses — lately, those expenses have been MUCH higher. The best thing our readers can do for us is to continue to support our advertisers and make it clear you saw it in the Weekly View. Small businesses can also help by advertising with us — we have affordable rates and packages to get your message out!