A healthy relationship between a community newspaper and the community it serves ensures that the information you need will always be available. You’ll find information that matters to you, information you won’t find anywhere else. Bouwers Photo

CHESTERVILLE – What happens to a rural community when no one is there to tell its stories?

Who shares the photo of the youngster proudly showing their first calf at the fair? Who tells residents about the fundraiser happening next weekend, recognizes the volunteer who has given decades of service, introduces a new local business or records the passing of a neighbour whose family has been part of the community for generations?

That is the role of a community newspaper – and it is why supporting local newspapers such as The Record continues to be so important.

Serving communities throughout Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry and Russell, The Record is about more than reporting the news. It is about creating a weekly snapshot of the people, businesses, organizations and events that make our rural communities special.

Open an issue and there is something for almost everyone. Municipal news keeps residents informed about decisions affecting their communities. Agricultural stories recognize the farmers and farm families who are an important part of our region. Community organizations promote fundraisers and events, businesses share what they have to offer, and families celebrate milestones and remember loved ones through obituaries.

There are school activities, sports, fairs, festivals, recipes, photographs and stories about neighbours helping neighbours.

These stories may never make provincial or national headlines – but here at home, they matter.

A newspaper built by its community

A strong local newspaper cannot exist without a strong community behind it.

The support of local businesses, organizations, municipalities, elected officials and, most importantly, readers are what allows The Record to continue putting local people and local stories on its pages.

When a business advertises in The Record, that advertisement does more than promote a product or service. Those advertising dollars help support local journalism and make it possible to have someone at the council meeting, community fundraiser, agricultural event, fair, grand opening or local celebration.

When an organization submits an upcoming event, photograph or story idea, it helps connect that organization with thousands of people throughout the area.

And when residents pick up The Record, read it and support the businesses advertising within its pages, they become part of that same circle of community support.

Preserving today’s stories for tomorrow

There is another important role a community newspaper plays – one that is sometimes easy to overlook.

It records our history.

Years from now, today’s newspapers will tell future generations who we were, what businesses served our towns, who volunteered, who farmed the land, what events brought us together and how our communities changed.

The owners and staff of The Record are proud supporters of the communities they cover. They live, work, shop and participate in many of the same communities appearing within these pages. They understand that behind every photograph, announcement and story is a person who believes it is worth sharing.

But sharing those stories requires local support.

If you own a business, consider advertising locally. Your advertising not only reaches potential customers close to home, it helps keep local news alive.

If you belong to a community organization, send us your events, accomplishments and photographs. If you have a story idea, milestone, agricultural story or something happening in your neighbourhood, let us know.

And to our readers — continue supporting the businesses and organizations you see within these pages. Tell them you saw their advertisement in The Record.

A community newspaper is strongest when the community is part of it.

Your businesses. Your events. Your neighbours. Your stories. Your Record.

If you would like to have a light shined on your business, please contact us at: editor@etceterapublications.ca or call us at 613-448-2321.