Ridin the Rapds

“Volume 48, Issue 1” is in the “flag” section on the front page of this week’s edition. It marks the start of the 48th year since my wife, Louise, published this newspaper’s first edition.

A lot of things have changed since then – ranging from the way it was originally laid out using a typewriter – to today’s digital format with “talking text” features.

The cartoon to the right has been updated since it was first created for Reflections by Barry McWilliams back in September of 2012. Sadly, both Louise and Barry have passed away and are no longer with us.

Luckily, though, the McKenzie River is not among some 2,500 areas nationwide that now come under the umbrella of “news deserts” after their local newspapers shut their doors and closed down.

My intent is for Reflections to continue to provide regular, dependable news coverage ranging from the activities of local community groups and elected bodies to actions at the county, state and federal levels that impact us all. And of course there’ll continue to be articles about sports, history, and the personalities that all contribute to the shared experiences that contribute to community unity.

Looking at this issue’s flag I’m again reminded of the changes that’ve come about over the last four decades – including things we couldn’t have guessed at. There have been more than a few challenges in that timeframe and no doubt there will be more to come as this publication moves toward its first half century of existence.

Will it be something better? I hope so and plan to keep pace with the innovations this digital age we’re now living in continues to deliver with both challenges and opportunities.

Switching to a largely web based publication meant taking a chance. I thank everyone who’ve shown through their support that the decision was the right one.