Print Will Never Die… A Look Back
Nostalgia sweeps over me this week as I took the first edition of The Villager newspaper from my office wall resting in a historic bindery. The issue is dated Vol. 1. No.1, December 2, 1982. The front page features a beautiful color photo of the “Splendor of the Rocky Mountains.” The leading news story relates the purchase of “The Squire” mail permit from Jerry Brock, publisher of The Douglas County News.
A new masthead heralded the arrival of The Villager that has endured for 44 years. The newspaper was greeted with enthusiasm by Bob St. Clair, mayor of Cherry Hills Village, and mayor Fred Fisher of Greenwood Village. Two complimentary letters were published, praising the new arrival. Mayor Fisher stated it well when he wrote, “It is very helpful for those of us involved in local government to have activities reported to our citizenry accurately and on a timely basis. Your success in providing this communication will be a significant public service.”
Mayor St. Clair also added his congratulations …”I wish you luck and encourage you in your role as liaison between the city and its residents.” He concluded … “As we come to grips with traffic and related problems of growth, free exchange of information and opinions between residents and the council will be imperative. I look forward to your help as we strive together to keep Cherry Hills the sort of place in which to raise our children and grandchildren.”
It has been an amazing trip through 44 years. We have made many wonderful friends and featured so many interesting residents and businesses of these cities. We assisted in the rise of Centennial; our governmental reporter Betty Wotring, served on the first city council of the newly formed City of Centennial.
With the growth and importance of Arapahoe County we have expanded the growing footprint of The Villager across the entire county with features and news of importance to county residents. With a small, but award-winning staff, we do the best we can to capture local news on the homefront. Many of the stories and features would have been lost in time without The Villager’s vigilance. We have accepted the responsibilities, as described by the two past incumbent mayors welcoming us aboard.
We continue the challenge, greeting new city council members and one new mayor for the City of Centennial. It has been a great honor and pleasure to work with all of the mayors and council members down through the past four decades.
Today we have the largest readership in the newspaper’s history with print and digital circulation with a wonderful award-winning staff.
Many of our original subscribers are still with us and some still subscribing to The Villager in some of the excellent assisted living facilities in Arapahoe and Douglas Counties.
The Villager is in good hands with the vigilant and professional work of publisher Gerri Sweeney and our new co-publisher Susan Sweeney Lanam. The torch is being passed as the years fly by, and we all attempt to adjust to social media and life’s challenges.
I do know this after 44 years, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”