By Jo-an Jacobus, Editor
As editor of our newsletter, some things have become clear to me as I work with Wayne to get the newsletter to you in a timely manner.
The most obvious to me is I can’t guarantee you will receive the information about events happening during the first week of the month before they occur. The turn-around time after monthly meeting is just too short. It is a virtual certainty that the paper copies will not have arrived until late in the first week of the month. It is tight in some months for the email version as well.
The most important area of clarity involves a positive step that can be taken by those submitting articles concerning upcoming events. Tell us in advance. Put an October event into September’s newsletter. Even if your event is in late October, September is better. Send it to us early, at least a month early. Get the news in a month early to be sure Friends can attend your event.
Another positive step for those submitting articles is not new but bears repeating. Please get your articles to me by 5 P.M. on the Wednesday following monthly meeting. If I don’t have it by then, it won’t go in.
My last thoughts on hearing about upcoming events in a timely manner I have said before but it does make a difference. If you want to receive your newsletter in time to see notices about events occurring in the first week of the month, email is the way to go. This might not be an issue for you. If it is, I’m doing everything I can to get it to you on time. Once the newsletter is in final copy, that’s the end for the email edition but only the beginning for a paper version. It must be copied, collated, prepared for mailing, and go through the US Mail.
I spoke with a Durham (F)friend this week who was very upset with the quality of the photographs in the paper copy of the newsletter. This friend felt the photos weren’t worth printing, although having seen them once online thought those were terrific. This friend is adding email delivery to paper delivery, wanting to see the lovely photos but still wanting to have a copy to hold. A “twofer” that works for one friend: early news with great photos and paper to hold.
