Symbiosis: the community needs its local paper; the paper needs its community

Thankfully, nature also models mutualism--symbiosis in which both organisms benefit. Clownfish and anemone; pistol shrimp and goby; coral and algae; sharks and remora are just a few examples of mutualism. Too involved to explore in a short column, these relationships are nonetheless fascinating. Look them up and see!

Community newspapers have a sort of symbiotic relationship with their communities, too. Readers want to know what’s going on; newspapers have a duty to provide that information. For both communities and papers to thrive, the symbiotic relationship cannot be parasitic.

To achieve mutualism, a local paper needs its readers to be active participants. To have a healthy paper in which a community can take pride, readers have to do a little more than just absorb the news every week.

The sad truth is that the iconic, trench-coat wearing, roving reporter with a press card tucked in his hatband no longer exists. More often than not these days, a newspaper’s staff is stretched thin and trying to meet deadlines. Now more than ever, we need the occasional heads-up from members of the community.

Experienced something that concerns you? Write a letter to the editor. You probably aren’t alone. Maybe you’ll get the ball rolling to solve a problem!

Have a cool old picture you think would be perfect for “Another Place in Time?” Don’t just think about it--send it!

If you know someone whose amazing story would interest readers, shoot us an email. If an individual or group should be recognized for service or accomplishments, we are delighted to share the news. If someone is struggling and needs support and help, we can let people know.

If your church, school group, or organization has an event coming up that you’d like people to know about, tell us. If you want the community to show up--we’d love to help get the word out ahead of time. Too often, all we can do is run a picture after the fact because we didn’t know about it in time.

Email us or call us so we can get your event on the calendar. You are also encouraged to go to the newly revamped e-edition of the paper, where you can add an event to the calendar yourself. Just go to grantky.com, scroll down, and click the button that says “create an event.” Easy peasy. And it’s free.

To really highlight your event, call the paper and put in an attention-grabbing paid ad.

Such events as concerts, 5K races, camps, pet parades, Elvis impersonator contests, and the like are so much more exciting if they are well attended. Successful ventures encourage more ventures and breathe life into communities.

Watching communities come together in celebration or struggle is beautiful. It’s the kind of stuff that makes great feel-good movies.

in a time when too many of us are content to stay in our little bubbles, more or less disconnected from one another, a good local paper not only makes people feel connected, it can help connect them in real life, out in the community.

Community matters. Let’s nurture it together.