The Islander: 50 Years Later

By TONYA L. POUTRY, Publisher
SOUTH HERO – The first ever Islander was published in April of 1974. It’s hard to believe that, 50 years later, here we are, still publishing a weekly newspaper with no plans to change that in the future.
However, we do have a change to announce.
As last Wednesday’s issue was being delivered, I received a phone call from the company that prints The Islander advising us, that “due to the reorganization of production schedules for our internal newspaper publications we will require to move production of The Islander one day later.”
My first thought was, here we go again. I still receive inquiries as to why the newspaper isn’t available on Tuesdays when we switched to publishing on Wednesday more than six years ago. I am very aware most of us do not like change.
However, change is inevitable.
After contemplating what this means for my staff, customers and community, I found myself looking at the situation as an opportunity.
With most municipal meetings held on Monday nights, the turnaround process for our writers is quite quick. When elections are held on Tuesdays, The Islander has already gone to press and is only able to provide election results online and in print a week later.
A Wednesday production date will allow us to have that information available in print within two days of the election.
Another added benefit of a Thursday publication is that it will allow us to better emphasize weekend activities and events occurring within our area of circulation.
Although change is inevitable, it doesn’t have to be looked at as bad.
Like the switch from Tuesday to Wednesday, we survived. We were able to have board meeting news immediately in the newspaper instead of a week later. Other than readers wondering why there wasn’t a newspaper on a certain day of the week, we were reminded how many people look forward to The Islander and how much it means to our readers.
All of this being said, effective the third week of March, The Islander will now be distributed every Thursday with the first Thursday issue distributed March 21.
The deadline for materials to be submitted will also change. All materials are due by 10 a.m. on Tuesday. We will have an earlier press time, so items sent after 10 a.m. cannot be accepted.
Think of it as going to a local store an hour after they have closed and trying to buy a gallon of milk. The doors are locked, and the employees have all gone home.
Please respect our deadline. It is in place for a reason. Newspapers are created in four page increments. It is not possible to add one page for a late entry. Those four pages are supported by advertising. If we don’t have the advertising to support those pages, we are not able to add them.
I am telling you this because not everyone is schooled in newspaper production and I think it is important that you have an understanding as to how it works.
The newspaper is free, but it is not free to produce.
The bills of the newspaper are the same as any small business. While we are a community resource, The Islander is a business. The room for growth is tremendous, but it can’t be done without the financial support of businesses and our readers.
Many readers want to support the newspaper, but don’t know how. Support can be given by telling an advertiser, “I saw your ad in The Islander;” by considering purchasing a subscription; or by making a donation online or by check.
Another reporter is much needed. Our team’s work load is very full and while we are able to provide the most extensive coverage for our circulation area, we’d love to find the right person to round out our talented group.
Advertising and reader support is necessary to make this happen.
To our long-time advertisers and our very newest, we thank you.
If you’re curious if The Islander works to get the word out about your business, look at any of the ads on these pages and ask them. Give me a call and see how we can help grow your business. Supporting businesses and helping them to prosper is one of our top priorities.
Now to that big ole’ elephant in the room: My ownership of The Islander.
As you may recall, in my last editorial I announced The Islander was for sale. Frankly, I was overwhelmed at the number of people that reached out with concern and surprise, and people that were upset.
I have entertained offers and have had many conversations with prospective buyers, but it appears I am not ready to let go. When I listed the business, I did so with the intention of finding the perfect person to carry on an island tradition, while having incredible enthusiasm for community, a strong belief in the First Amendment along with many other (and probably too many) key qualities. I have met several people that checked almost all of my boxes, but not all of them.
I will revisit the sale of The Islander in the future, but for now I still have gas in the tank and have been incredibly encouraged by individuals in our towns that believe in what community means.
I will close by saying the past 24 years at this newspaper has been rewarding, stressful, fulfilling, overwhelming, joyful, scary and just about every other adjective you can think of.
On the days when I am harassed for doing my job or bullied for not being a puppet, I think of the little girl who saw her picture printed on the cover of the newspaper and is now a photographer. I see Islander articles hanging in frames proudly displayed in homes and businesses. I meet people who offer a fond memory of an Islander article or photograph.
And I think to myself, “I had a part in that.” I get to continue to be a part of that.
Please fasten your seatbelts and put your tray in the upright position, because we are on to the next 50-year journey.

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