The Printed Word Will Never Die
I’m often asked, “What do I think is the future of newspapers?” That is a very good question with deep division these days between private free enterprise newspapers such as this one… compared to newspapers that have chosen to go nonprofit and rely on donations and foundation grants for support. The nonprofit newspapers may have chosen a bad time in history to leave the profit world and be like public radio and TV dependent upon grants and fragile government funding by the Trump administration. In Congressional hearings last week, the CEO of public radio/TV admitted her employees were 97 Democrats and zero Republicans. That’s a strange combination and while I enjoy some of public TV programing, especially the concerts, it is time for progressive foundations to admit they are political and support public news organizations. Making a profit is the lifeblood of publications and we stand or fail on our ability to have something to sell in print and have strong subscription support.
Print is not dead by any means. Newspapers print history while it is happening. Magazines and books have features and stories to tell. Books are very popular these days, and if you notice, almost every news anchor is selling their books. There is a close affinity with newspaper writing and that of storytelling, whether fact, or fiction. During my newspaper career we have worked with many successful novelists. One of my neighbors, and good friend, is Dr. Judith Briles, noted author, speaker, book coach, and founder of the Author’s Hall of Fame for Colorado with an annual award ceremony and scholarships for aspiring novelists. Her latest book “Cooking with Judith” is on the bestseller list. She has authored 48 books and honored with 56 books awards. Currently our sportswriter Denny Dressman is writing his 18th book specializing in baseball history and events. Linda Jones was one of our great history writers from her home in Gilpin County. Bruce MacKenzie-is a very successful author of fiction. His latest published novel, “The Shroud Solution,“ may become a movie. Bruce has resided in Greenwood Village when not traveling the world with his wife Joneen. She writes a keen column on social challenges and has published a book, “Relationship Essentials” with co-author Lauren Reitsema Just recently Dr. Paul N. Tschetter, M.D., who has resided in Greenwood Village for 65 years retiring from his medical practice in 2012, has published a recent book, “Almost Fifty Years’ Experience as a Pediatrician,” a fascinating account of his 49 years of taking care of children and dealing with parents. It is a great read, and every mother of young children needs to read this book with great advice about caring for a child. Dr. Tschetter, now 90, is a revered medical treasure residing in Greenwood Village. He has cared for a wide circle of metro children both at Children’s Hospital and in his private practice. I was a close friend of his father, Paul Tschetter, who I knew for many years in the Denver Lions Club. Lion Tschetter was the founder of Savio House, a very successful program to assist troubled youth with treatment rather than incarceration. Founded as a residential center for teen boys, it now works to build stronger family relationships in the home and is very successful.
There is a strong bond between newspaper writing and literary manuscripts. Both are putting ink on paper and having on-line presence through many links. One of the major challenges for newspapers is closure of printing plants here in Colorado and across the nation. We now print our newspapers at the Cheyenne Eagle in Cheyenne, Wyo. with the papers trucked to post offices every Wednesday morning. We’re getting great service and deliveries right on time, but prices have increased for us. You readers may have noticed the newspapers arriving a day sooner.
Whether you reside in the mountains or the plains you will encounter the printed word.