How did it get easy to do a 32 page paper? I mean, not easy, but easier than it used to be.
When I started at The Mountain-Ear (in classifieds), we were turning out 16 pages and on occasion we put out 24 pages. Now we put out 32 pages almost weekly. And if it’s not 32 pages, it’s 40 or more. So this week I’m gonna share a little of what my normal Wednesday looks like.
My week runs Thursday to Wednesday. It runs that way because we go to press overnight on Tuesday, making it Wednesday morning when my design time is complete. After this is at press, I’ll hop in the car with my son and go pick up the papers in Boulder (I have enjoyed the time off doing circulation but school starts soon, so off I go to pick up papers again).
When I took over the design of the paper, I had no experience in design (thanks to everyone that stuck with us as I learned what to do and what NOT to do with design). I had not used Photoshop for more than fixing a picture. I had never used QuarkXPress (which was the program used back then). I had a designer put in her two weeks’ notice and that’s the time I had to learn it. Two weeks.
I reached out to another designer (who still works with us today). She set up a template and said she would walk me through it from afar. So we did. And I did most of it with her guidance by phone. And so began my new job. I have hired for short periods of time, who took it off my hands, but it always ends up back with me. So, I just do it.
I think a lot of what I do here is simply because, “I just can.” And I get bummed out when people I hire leave us to go work full-time jobs elsewhere. The only full-time job here is mine, for which I do not get paid and I have no real title because how do we wrap it all up with a single title? So, volunteer Publisher it is. I’m the Publisher, which kinda means I do everything not done by anyone else.
I’m thankful for the almost 40 people who contribute each month to The Mountain-Ear. To the journalists, photographers, circulation folks, delivery folks, graphic designers, podcasters, social media folks, event organizers, content organizers, editors, interns, printers, gosh did I miss anyone? There are so many amazing people here! Without every one of you, none of this would be possible. And we couldn’t do any of it without our subscribers and advertisers. With you, this magic happens. All the magic. Every piece of putting this together, magic. Thank you!!!
And again, friends, in case you’re thinking of eating out… check out this link for info about local establishments (UPDATED JULY 15, 2022). We cover the entire Peak to Peak region with a bit of information on where to be and what to see! If your listing needs to be updated, email us at info@themountainear.com and we’ll take care of that before our next print of this local list (and we update online weekly). Here is the link: https:// www.themtnear.com/articles/peak-to- peak-dining-drinks-and-entertainment/. We continue to be the ONLY print publication that shares this full list, and we keep it online year-round for you.
The Mountain-Ear is YOUR community newspaper, covering all of the news you love in the entire Peak to Peak region, since 1977. As always, my door is open (in Nederland and Black Hawk), my phone is on and my email gets checked regularly. Contact me at info@themountainear.com or call 303-810-5409.
