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| Hellenic News of America | |
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Newspapers are here to stay!By Line: Kevin Hewston Newspapers are here to stay! Newspapers may generally be facing economic hard times nationwide, but for some periodicals in Delaware County, this statement seems far from the truth. For some, such as the weekly Springfield Press, success can be attributed to consolidation into the Delaware County News Network about spring 2009. For others, such as the weekly News of Delaware County, monthly Hellenic News of America, and weekly Chester Spirit, community affiliations and outreach have helped. What these successes translate into, says Springfield Press Managing Editor Donna McCole, is “a stronger presence in local areas,” especially referring to the consolidation of five weekly Journal Register Company newspapers known as the Delaware County News Network, of which her paper is a part, along with the County Press, Garnet Valley Press, Town Talk, and News of Delaware County. “As local papers,” McCole said of her newspaper and her partners, “our strength is really to focus on each of our individual areas…and that is really where people love to see their own local information, whether it be school boards [or] commissioners meetings, a new building going up in town, [or] your kids picture on the sports page— youre not going to find that in any other paper” like The Philadelphia Inquirer. Her newspapers “steady” circulation is about 5,000 in the Springfield/Morton areas out of about 52,000, she said, of the entire Delaware County News Network. That is about 10 percent of the networks readers. This topic was greeted by a very enthusiastic membership of The Press Club serving the Philadelphia Suburbs monthly luncheon on “Meet the Publishers” at Generations restaurant in Media, Pennsylvania. Maybe readers are still hooked—after over 75 years that the Springfield Press has been in operation—because they can generate and send in local news as well, since there are not many reporters to send out. The best way to do that is by e-mail, which all newspapers agree is quickest (see sidebar). “Our biggest problem, I think,” says Managing Editor David Bjorkgren of the News of Delaware County, “is that the paper has always valued itself on its ability to generate the news of the communities that its in. Its been harder to do that now because of the staff reduction, so were relying more on partnership, I would say, with the communities now; were depending a lot more on you people getting stuff to us and letting us know about things.” Check out the www.delconewsnetwork.com for the new structure of the Journal Register owned newspapers in Delaware County. One item people can send in is a press release, which Bjorkgren says is used for most, but not all, of his newspapers soft news. Nearly all of the newer, independent and bilingual Hellenic News of Americas news comes from these releases. “There is a proverb that reads: Whatever is written stays,” says founder and Publisher Paul Kotrotsios. “We can see pictures, images, but we forget. But when we read something, we can keep it, we can document it and we can keep it in our file.” Perhaps Kotrosios is echoing Town Talk Managing Editor Margaret DeGrassa in implied meaning: Each newspaper tries to maintain its “individual flair.” Whereas pictures can be banal to viewers, readers remember writing that is fresh and subjects they care about because they may impact them directly based upon where readers live. Town Talk Newspapers, which now only includes a Media/Central Delco Edition and a Ridley/Southern Delco edition, is a free paper that “does [sic] the happy, the upbeat news” like obituaries, births, school events, clubs, and so on. This focus is similar to the Chester Spirit—the newest paper at only 18 months old. Locally owned and published by Spirit Media Group, Inc., the no cost Spirit is uniquely dedicated to Chester and its surrounding communities of Woodlyn, Parkside, some of Upland Borough and Eddystone. Coverage is to be expanded November 15, when the Community Spirit—backed by community demand—incorporates Aston, Aston Township, Upland, Trainer, all of Parkside, Upper and Lower Chichester, and move as far south as Claymont and Wilmington, Del. Paul Bennett will command the paper as editor and publisher, hoping to double the Spirits about 20,000 circulation. “People think of Chester as an area to get away from, but we want to show them why its a great area to come to by explaining the good happening in Chester,” says Bennett, who is also editor and publisher of the Spirit. To do that, he uses high school and college interns as another example of community outreach—growing by “providing opportunities for people.” His paper can sponsor events, as might others, if its mission-consistent. The News of Delaware County has what Managing Editor David Bjorkgren calls a reader-oriented “news slant” in addition to what newspapers like Town Talk report, so more hard news and town and governmental issues are covered. Associate Editor Elizabeth Margerum of such newspapers as the County Press and Garnet Valley Press says her newspapers are a mix of the former and latter. Especially of the former, a Press Focus insert in the County Press, Garnet Valley Press, and Springfield Press is like an entertainment section that publishes events occurring “anywhere, everywhere.” The 22 year-old Hellenic News of America, with mailing of nearly 5,000 copies and a five-fold increase in the number of copies distributed monthly to 15,000, deals with the Greek-American community prevalent in the region and tri-state as well as the larger society to which it contributes, partnering with local advertisers such as Crozer-Keystone Health System—in fact, its biggest—and one who markets to some Hellenes that comprise Kotrotsios at least 26,000 “religious” subscribers. “This is the wave of the future “target market outreach” and The Hellenic News of America is the perfect example of it” states, Barbara Ann Zippi, President of The Press Club serving The Philadelphia Suburbs. It seems community newspapers are doing their job. Check out www.ThePressClubPA.org for more information and upcoming meeting scheduled including upcoming Speakers Chris Wheeler of Phillies Broadcasting Fame and Jane Pepper, the spark behind The Flower Show of Philadelphia. ### Newspaper: Town Talk (2 editions) Important people: Margaret DeGrassa, managing editor, Ridley/Southern Delco edition Best contact: pdegrassa@delconewsnetwork.com and/or (610)-583-4432 Ext. 119 Newspaper: Springfield Press Important people: Donna McCole, managing editor Best contact: dmccole@delconewsnetwork.com and/or (610)-522-9350 Ext. 110 ;springfield@delconewsnetwork.com (news releases as e-mails and photos as .jpeg attachments or in e-mail body) Newspapers: Garnet Valley Press, County Press, Media Press Important people: Elizabeth Margerum, associate editor Best contact: bmargerum@delconewsnetwork.com and/or 610-583-4432 Ext. 118 ; press@delconewsnetwork.com (news releases as e-mails and photos as .jpeg attachments or in e-mail body) Newspaper: News of Delaware County Important people: David Bjorkgren, Managing Editor, Haverford Editor, real estate Best Contact: dbjorkgren@delconewsnetwork.com and/or (610)-522-2780 Ext. 131 Important notes: You can post events on the calendar at www.delconewsnetwork.com, where reporting space is unlimited. Newspaper: Hellenic News of America Important people: Paul Kotrotsios, founder and publisher Best Contact: www.hellenicnews.com and/or (610)-446-1463; info@hellenicnews.com Important notes: Releases should include headlines, deadline 5 days before months end Newspaper: Chester Spirit Important people: Paul Bennett, editor and publisher Best Contact: www.chesterspirit.com, newsdesk@chesterspirit.com, (610)-447-8484 Important notes: deadlines are Thursday at 5 p.m. for the following edition
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