INVESTING IN US

by Michele Boy | February 4, 2021

When I think of news anymore I think of quick sound bytes that don’t really tell a story. They are fast tiny tidbits usually biased in one direction or the other.  “Breaking news! Fire! President’s Executive Orders!”

Nothing seems to go deeper. It’s usually the latest President on the latest Executive orders. And it is usually biased towards whether we like those orders. If we do, this is great. If we don’t it’s the President has too much power. A few people get on social media and rant about a former faux pas (an embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation.) in the person’s history. Some true, some out of context. And some flat out false. But it seems there is always an agenda attached.

In fairness this newspaper has an agenda as well. It is to create an atmosphere of growth and a connection to our history, as well as help foster a mindset of we are strong; even stronger when you engage and participate in our town. 

This week’s Syracuse Journal contains longer stories that require time, something we don’t seem to have much of these days. But they tell a story. A company invested in our town but there is history with it. We took time to investigate and report to give you a bigger picture of the community.

Once upon a time I thought I was competing with social media but now I see that I have something different to offer. Social media is great for the quick score, the latest breaking news. But our newspaper offers something more.

I hope you take some time to read the stories to invest yourself in the community, in our past and in our future. Each week our town grows with new people, new business opportunities and a chance to connect deeper with each other far and wide.

Whether you open a business here or volunteer at a ball game or event, you invest in the town. You invest in our future.

So many communities have lost this. Larger media outlets purchase their hometown paper and the community loses its rich history  when the next generation comes along and  knows nothing about it’s past.

It is said that history repeats itself. How do we engage the youth to take the time to read, investigate and think critically?

As I look for opportunities to reach the youth, I am not sure how to make a TikTok video of a newspaper. Some would say the newspaper is a dinosaur. But I believe to have true independent journalism, we must go against the grain and invest in our small town. Maybe that means buying an ad in this paper, maybe it means volunttering at a community event. This community has a rich history of investing in each other. I pray that we get to continue that legacy by journaling our history and our accomplishments.

Our little town has so much here. The largest sand park in Kansas, a bowling alley, golf course, movie theatre, swimming pool, and plenty of wide open spaces.

I pray COVID-19 has given all of us an appreciation of what we have and what opportunities are available in our little treasure of a town.

Thank you for reading and supporting us. We appreciate each and every one of you.