Here are my questions for local publication the the Allenspark Wind. I hope you enjoy learning more about them and how you can support this Allenspark business.

How long have you been publishing the Allenspark Wind? The Allenspark Wind has been in continuous publication for 49 years. I have been editing and doing layout for the last 20 years, plus a stint from 1989 to 1995. During that first period we stepped into the computer age. Layout at the time was done on oversized boards. Stories would be typed and those sheets cut into strips, waxed, and rolled in place for the printer to scan for printing. In the early 90s we bought a tiny Macintosh and a publishing program and started doing layout on the computer.

Can you estimate your readership? We mail about 600 copies and sell a few over-the-counter.

How many staff/volunteers do you have? We have a board of directors of seven who are working volunteers. All of our writing is also volunteer and we have a half dozen regular contributors and many others who send in stories.

How has it changed since Covid? Most of our operation wasn’t affected by Covid because much of our communication is by email. One monthly task is to put the mailing labels on each copy, and that was always a get-together of several people. Since Covid it has become more of a solitary task.

How has it changed with rising print costs? The cost of printing and mailing has increased dramatically and we have had to raise our subscription and advertising prices to cover expenses.

What do you love about what you do? Interacting with people in the community has been a blessing to me personally. When I can, I try to put a positive spin on the paper, sprinkle it with encouraging quotes and try to not only inform the community but try to unite it.

How do you see the future of your publication? I hope it will last another fifty years and more. From the start, our stated purpose was to be a community newspaper and give members of our community a place to voice their thoughts and opinions. In doing so, it has become not only a vital form of communication in our area but it has also resulted in a wealth of history as the present becomes the past. It has filled in niche in this area and I hope that will continue.

When people advertise with you, they are supporting a locally owned business. Why is that important to our local community and how does the money roll back into Allenspark? Advertising is a big part of our revenue, paying for our continued publication. Thanks for the support of our advertisers we can offer free space to civic-minded organizations (such as our churches). People who support those advertisers are not only getting a good service from the provider they choose but are giving money to local businesses, giving them a chance to thrive in our small mountain area. Many of our advertisers also contribute to local charities, like our food bank.

To find out more about the Allenspark Wind, check out their website at https:// allensparkwind.com/