This little newspaper takes a lot of making, and weekly miracles aren’t mere luck.
On Sunday, July 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., readers are invited to visit the super deluxe newsroom (at least in comparison to the former digs in the basement on Parkway) in the Community Center and visit with the members of the worker cooperative that makes it happen. They’re neighbors and friends. Meet the journalists, the editors, the ad desk and the layout specialists and see the team at work getting a start on the newspaper of July 14. See how the business team works with the ad desk to gather the revenue that powers the operation and pays employees and contractors.
Cub Reporter Fun Stuff
Cool opportunities are on offer – to type, for example, on one of the vintage typewriters – some dating from the mid-1920s and still in working order (though the newspaper has now moved into the computer age). Have a photo taken and cut and paste it with real glue into a special single-issue front page. Try out the stamps that once created the decorative designs of the 1940s or try to make a cartoon – it may even get printed if it’s funny enough.
Doing Democracy
A recent article in the Washington Post discusses the impact on democracy of the rapid loss of local-level journalism. The article notes that “Every week, two more newspapers close – and ‘news deserts’ grow larger” meaning that many people in the United States – particularly those in poor and rural areas – are without reliable reporting about their own community. Statistics quoted by the Post say that “some 2,500 dailies and weeklies have shuttered since 2005; there are fewer than 6,500 left.” The Post waxes lyrical about the negative impact on democracy. But the News Review has every intention of remaining a viable and reliable news source for Greenbelt – so come take a look at how we’re doing it.
Be a Solution
For anyone who’s ever thought of being involved in making a newspaper, this is a good time to find out how it works. Membership Coordinator Peggy Higgins will be there to chat and the people who work every week to produce this small miracle are glad to share their knowledge.
The last time the News Review had an open house was on the same date in 2016 – and it would have probably done one a couple of years ago had Covid not intervened. So GNR is stoked. Masks are not required but are suggested.
Come Say Hi
The accompanying map on page 1 shows how to find the office. Shoppers at the Farmers Market will find a launch pad in the market corner nearest the Community Center, with a signpost and footprints leading up to the door.