My staff and I have been boxing up files, cleaning out desks and taking down awards and photos from the walls as we prepare for the move from our office at 135 E. Main St. in Manchester to our western region headquarters at the Saline Reporter in Saline.
As my girlfriend, mother, and sports writer spent the better half of last week boxing up the office, I couldn’t help but look through some of the old newspapers that were printed before my tenure in Manchester. This small town has certainly seen its fair share of news. From tragedies and scandals to celebrations, festivals and fairs, all of the Manchester community’s history has been recorded in the pages of the Enterprise for generations.
For me, one of the boxes of newspapers was and remains poignant. It contained the first several months issues of May 2007 when I took over as editor. I remember my first few months on the job were a learning experience. In fact, my first call to Jeff Wallace was to ask if he could put me in touch with Manchester’s Economic Development Corporation. His response was kind yet right to the point: “You aren’t from Michigan are you?”
The packing brought up many good and bad memories, a flood of emotion and a little bit of sadness.
But today I remembered those memories will not end.
Though Ed and I continue to educate ourselves about the ins and outs of Manchester two years later, I think our pictures can now go up on the hall of fame of former Enterprise staff members.
I will still work with Village President Pat Vailliencourt and her staff and many other city and school officials in Manchester, along with officials in Bridgewater, Freedom, Manchester and Sharon townships.
Infact, Mrs. Vailliencourt has graciously allowed the Enterprise to leave a drop box at the Coffee Mill Café on Main Street to allow local residents to continue to drop off photos and press releases for publication in the Enterprise. I or a staff member will retrieve the items on Monday mornings. This box is primarily for those who do not use e-mail. For those who have e-mail, electronic .jpeg photos and electronic press releases are still the preferred method of submissions.
This drop box will be in place in the coming weeks and I will include a notice in the Enterprise informing readers when they can begin leaving items at the Coffee Mill for pick-up.
All photos and press releases can still be sent to editor@manchesterenterprise.com. Similarly, all sports information can still be e-mailed to epatino@heritage.com. Readers can still reach us at our Manchester phone number, 428-8173. Mail can also be sent to The Manchester Enterprise, 135 E. Main St., Manchester MI. All mail will be forwarded to our office in Saline.
The Manchester Enterprise, with its news staff intact, will be in Manchester as often as we have in the past to cover the news and put out the best newspaper despite these recent changes. We are working around the clock to make this transition an easy one for everyone and are open to suggestions.
Changes to the newspaper profession are being reflected right across the American newspaper industry as well as other media — radio, TV, Internet, etc.
Consolidations, closings, reductions staffing are the norm.
When the future of GM, Ford and Chrysler are in question, people have to understand what is happening to the rest of American business.
But Manchester is not losing its local newspaper.
Most readers will not notice any change.
If the Manchester area can survive the purchase of the Enterprise by Heritage Newspapers, it can survive the move of the Enterprise office 13 miles east to Saline.
Editor Daniel Lai can be reached at 428-8173 or e-mail dlai@heritage.com.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Manchester Enterprise to relocate office June 1
Officials of Heritage Newspapers and the Journal Register Co. have announced The Manchester Enterprise office at 135 E. Main St., Suite 202 in Manchester is being closed and relocated.
Beginning June 1, the editorial staff and advertising account executives will be consolidated into the Heritage Newspapers’ Western Region headquarters at The Saline Reporter in Saline.
The move is one of many being taken by the newspapers’ parent company, Journal Register Co. to survive in the current declining economy in Michigan and across the county — which has hit newspapers across the country very hard.
Staff writers, editors, photographers, advertising advisors and circulation route managers will continue to work in Manchester.
The Manchester Enterprise will continue to be delivered to Post Office boxes and sold at stores and from newspaper racks around the community.
The newspaper will continue to be the best and most authoritative source of news about the Manchester community — its school district, local governments, sports teams and the people and activities of Manchester.
The editorial staff will continue to attend meetings, gatherings and events to stay on top of events in Manchester.
Residents will still be able to talk to those people by calling the Enterprise’s cur-rent phone number: (734) 428-8173. Individuals will be available through their e-mail addresses as well.
The carriers who deliver the Manchester Enterprise will continue to work with route managers by mail, phone or in person at the Saline Reporter office at 106 W. Michigan Ave., Saline, MI. 48176.
That office is located 12 miles east of Manchester.
The move comes amid a shake up in the entire industry and Michigan in particular.
Papers across the state have seen reductions in staffing. Regional papers have con-solidated into a smaller number of locations and they have reduced coverage of smaller and outlying communities.
JRC has announced other moves designed to allow it to keep operating. It has closed newspapers in Connecticut and hired a firm to seek buyers for certain properties.
For more information, contact Manchester Enterprise Editor Daniel Lai at dlai@heritage.com or call 428-8173. Additional inquiries can be sent to Karl Ziomek at kziomek@heritage.com.
Beginning June 1, the editorial staff and advertising account executives will be consolidated into the Heritage Newspapers’ Western Region headquarters at The Saline Reporter in Saline.
The move is one of many being taken by the newspapers’ parent company, Journal Register Co. to survive in the current declining economy in Michigan and across the county — which has hit newspapers across the country very hard.
Staff writers, editors, photographers, advertising advisors and circulation route managers will continue to work in Manchester.
The Manchester Enterprise will continue to be delivered to Post Office boxes and sold at stores and from newspaper racks around the community.
The newspaper will continue to be the best and most authoritative source of news about the Manchester community — its school district, local governments, sports teams and the people and activities of Manchester.
The editorial staff will continue to attend meetings, gatherings and events to stay on top of events in Manchester.
Residents will still be able to talk to those people by calling the Enterprise’s cur-rent phone number: (734) 428-8173. Individuals will be available through their e-mail addresses as well.
The carriers who deliver the Manchester Enterprise will continue to work with route managers by mail, phone or in person at the Saline Reporter office at 106 W. Michigan Ave., Saline, MI. 48176.
That office is located 12 miles east of Manchester.
The move comes amid a shake up in the entire industry and Michigan in particular.
Papers across the state have seen reductions in staffing. Regional papers have con-solidated into a smaller number of locations and they have reduced coverage of smaller and outlying communities.
JRC has announced other moves designed to allow it to keep operating. It has closed newspapers in Connecticut and hired a firm to seek buyers for certain properties.
For more information, contact Manchester Enterprise Editor Daniel Lai at dlai@heritage.com or call 428-8173. Additional inquiries can be sent to Karl Ziomek at kziomek@heritage.com.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Swine flu the real deal?
By Sarah Franklin
This swine flu thing: Outbreak, epidemic, pandemic. Has the potential to be all three. And it's very scary.
I remember being at the World Health Organization when Avian flu was the hot button topic in the global health community. There was absolute panic and preparing for the expected outbreak put everything else on the back burner in Geneva.
Avian flu temporarily dwarfed HIV, TB, malaria and a whole slew of other diseases that kill enormous numbers of people. After all the panic and last minute funding and staffing, avian barely made a dent.
Swine flu is different. Whereas Avian flu developed in a centuries-old system of Asian peasants living in close contact with their subsistence livestock, swine flu is the result of large-scale industrial agriculture, a system that has only developed in the last half-century.
Most of the deaths so far have been in Mexico. Why? No one knows, not exactly, and not yet. However, the fact that Mexico's medical care is difficult to access certainly isn't helping the situation.
In addition to being sad, this is infuriating. The company that owns the "host" outbreak site is a U.S.-based company.
Not only American, but typically American - the largest pork producer in the world. We're talking million-hog feedlots. Sickening stench, incredible negative environmental impact (manure reservoirs, for example, and concentrated CO2 emissions), and most relevant, disease passed from pig-to-pig and now pig-to-person.
This is the way America farms now. Our animals and our plants. En masse, only one species per area, “monoculture” is the term in the agriculture world. And what the world is finally being made aware of is how treacherous a path we're paving.
We've messed with ecosystems and their natural protective mechanisms (biodiversity) and now we're paying the price.
But wait, it's not exactly the United States that's paying the price, at least not yet. It's Mexico and Mexicans: quick-moving infection rates and death tolls; travel warnings; talk of closing borders; and the inevitable stigma. As if Mexico didn't have enough on its plate already...
That “Big Ag” in the United States has deemed it appropriate to not only farm this way in the United States (bad for us), but to export these agricultural practices (bad for us and all the folks we inflict our systems upon) to countries where land and labor are cheaper – all facilitated by those “development” policies under the umbrella of the North American Free Trade Agreement – is unforgivable.
To make mistakes on our own land, with our own soil, and our own population is one thing. But that we've inflicted this upon Mexico and as we're fast learning, the world, is entirely another.
In the meantime, the U.S. government and “Big Ag” have gotten us into this mess.
And an apology (if ever we step forward with one) isn't going to solve the problem.
We should be frightened and angry. We've let “Big Ag” dominate our food system for too long, allowing their profit-hungry motives and facade of “efficiency” to shush those concerned with the environmental, health, and yes, even economic impacts of industrial agriculture.
Now, we're in deep, deep trouble. We've been given several warnings – tainted tomatoes, spinach, peanut butter. How many chances did we think we were going to get before things got completely out of control?
Maybe swine flu is our last warning, or maybe we're really in for it this time.
Either way, it's time to open our eyes to the broad impacts of mass food production, processing, and distribution in this country and abroad.
It's a system the United States has created and we are responsible for the consequences.
Sara Franklin is the capacity building coordinator for WHY (World Hunger Year).
This swine flu thing: Outbreak, epidemic, pandemic. Has the potential to be all three. And it's very scary.
I remember being at the World Health Organization when Avian flu was the hot button topic in the global health community. There was absolute panic and preparing for the expected outbreak put everything else on the back burner in Geneva.
Avian flu temporarily dwarfed HIV, TB, malaria and a whole slew of other diseases that kill enormous numbers of people. After all the panic and last minute funding and staffing, avian barely made a dent.
Swine flu is different. Whereas Avian flu developed in a centuries-old system of Asian peasants living in close contact with their subsistence livestock, swine flu is the result of large-scale industrial agriculture, a system that has only developed in the last half-century.
Most of the deaths so far have been in Mexico. Why? No one knows, not exactly, and not yet. However, the fact that Mexico's medical care is difficult to access certainly isn't helping the situation.
In addition to being sad, this is infuriating. The company that owns the "host" outbreak site is a U.S.-based company.
Not only American, but typically American - the largest pork producer in the world. We're talking million-hog feedlots. Sickening stench, incredible negative environmental impact (manure reservoirs, for example, and concentrated CO2 emissions), and most relevant, disease passed from pig-to-pig and now pig-to-person.
This is the way America farms now. Our animals and our plants. En masse, only one species per area, “monoculture” is the term in the agriculture world. And what the world is finally being made aware of is how treacherous a path we're paving.
We've messed with ecosystems and their natural protective mechanisms (biodiversity) and now we're paying the price.
But wait, it's not exactly the United States that's paying the price, at least not yet. It's Mexico and Mexicans: quick-moving infection rates and death tolls; travel warnings; talk of closing borders; and the inevitable stigma. As if Mexico didn't have enough on its plate already...
That “Big Ag” in the United States has deemed it appropriate to not only farm this way in the United States (bad for us), but to export these agricultural practices (bad for us and all the folks we inflict our systems upon) to countries where land and labor are cheaper – all facilitated by those “development” policies under the umbrella of the North American Free Trade Agreement – is unforgivable.
To make mistakes on our own land, with our own soil, and our own population is one thing. But that we've inflicted this upon Mexico and as we're fast learning, the world, is entirely another.
In the meantime, the U.S. government and “Big Ag” have gotten us into this mess.
And an apology (if ever we step forward with one) isn't going to solve the problem.
We should be frightened and angry. We've let “Big Ag” dominate our food system for too long, allowing their profit-hungry motives and facade of “efficiency” to shush those concerned with the environmental, health, and yes, even economic impacts of industrial agriculture.
Now, we're in deep, deep trouble. We've been given several warnings – tainted tomatoes, spinach, peanut butter. How many chances did we think we were going to get before things got completely out of control?
Maybe swine flu is our last warning, or maybe we're really in for it this time.
Either way, it's time to open our eyes to the broad impacts of mass food production, processing, and distribution in this country and abroad.
It's a system the United States has created and we are responsible for the consequences.
Sara Franklin is the capacity building coordinator for WHY (World Hunger Year).
Friday, May 15, 2009
Two years and still going strong
Summer is upon us. Everywhere you look signs of life are returning to our community. The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, green grass has replaced the brown dead grass of winter and farmers are out selling their goods on Adrian Street.
As I perused the plant and vegetable stands at the Farmer’s Market this week stopping to talk with some familiar faces, an overwhelming sense of déjà vu swept over me.
“I have been here before,” I thought to myself.
A quick glance my desk calendar confirmed my suspicions. Last Thursday marked my two year anniversary as editor of The Manchester Enterprise and my time here in Manchester.
“Has it really been two years?” I thought to myself.
As they say, “Time flies when your having fun.”
And it has been fun. I have enjoyed meeting the many individuals and groups in town. Many of whom that has taken the time to share some very unique and inspiring stories with me.
Some of my favorite interviewees have been Don Limpert and his collection of Civil War memorabilia, Barry and Peggy Allen and their quest to start a Lions Club, and MHS Drama teacher Emily Prosser.
Still others have touched me with their personal crusades to bring about education and research (Christie Taylor and the Buddy Walk or Chris Fegan and the Relay for Life).
Of course, the most exciting part of my job is attending the various festivals and events that are put on throughout the year in Manchester. I still remember my very first community event–– The Manchester Men’s Club Blues & Ribs Fest –– and my anxiety of not knowing who Bob Rhees was (after all the members of the club referred my inquiries to him). Two years later, the Enterprise has a great working relationship with Bob, Jack Summers and the rest of the Men’s Club.
If I had to count the number of stories I have written over the years, I’d guess it is over 100. The number of notebooks filled from cover to cover with phone numbers, notes and quotes, can speak for themselves.
Of course, these are not just notes scribbled on a piece of paper. A reporter’s notebooks are filled with stories that serve as a record of who the people were in the communities that the newspaper covers.
Though periodically my office receives calls from readers asking for more local content, I feel my staff writer and I give readers a pretty good sampling of the news in our little nitch of Washtenaw County.
Ed Patino, our sports writer, has done a tremendous job covering the various sports teams in town. Sometimes I think he has a lot harder of a job than I do because everyone wants his or her son or daughter’s record-breaking long jump or touchdown pass mentioned in the paper.
For the two years I have been in Manchester, the newspaper has had the privilege of covering some of our athletes’ greatest achievements. From the Manchester High School wrestling team’s successful seasons to the equestrian, cheerleading and football team’s many successes. Our sports pages are lit up every week with achievements from Manchester’s youth and teens.
As newspapers across the country continue to face the challenges of decreasing readership, low advertising and subscriptions and smaller staffs, I am optimistic that my staff and I will continue to bring hometown news to the people of Manchester.
I also encourage readers to support their local newspaper –– whether it’s the Enterprise, Saline Reporter, Detroit Free Press or Ann Arbor News. The writers, editors, advertising consultants, managers and clerks that make up a newspaper’s staff are all good people who are dedicated and work hard at what they do. And they take pride in what they do.
The Pultizer Prize winning author Richard Kluger once said, “Every time a newspaper dies, even a bad one, the country moves a little closer to authoritarianism; when a great one goes, history itself is denied a devoted witness.”
I hope, as newspapers press forward, I will continue to be the voice of the Manchester community. Thank you for sharing your stories with me.
As I perused the plant and vegetable stands at the Farmer’s Market this week stopping to talk with some familiar faces, an overwhelming sense of déjà vu swept over me.
“I have been here before,” I thought to myself.
A quick glance my desk calendar confirmed my suspicions. Last Thursday marked my two year anniversary as editor of The Manchester Enterprise and my time here in Manchester.
“Has it really been two years?” I thought to myself.
As they say, “Time flies when your having fun.”
And it has been fun. I have enjoyed meeting the many individuals and groups in town. Many of whom that has taken the time to share some very unique and inspiring stories with me.
Some of my favorite interviewees have been Don Limpert and his collection of Civil War memorabilia, Barry and Peggy Allen and their quest to start a Lions Club, and MHS Drama teacher Emily Prosser.
Still others have touched me with their personal crusades to bring about education and research (Christie Taylor and the Buddy Walk or Chris Fegan and the Relay for Life).
Of course, the most exciting part of my job is attending the various festivals and events that are put on throughout the year in Manchester. I still remember my very first community event–– The Manchester Men’s Club Blues & Ribs Fest –– and my anxiety of not knowing who Bob Rhees was (after all the members of the club referred my inquiries to him). Two years later, the Enterprise has a great working relationship with Bob, Jack Summers and the rest of the Men’s Club.
If I had to count the number of stories I have written over the years, I’d guess it is over 100. The number of notebooks filled from cover to cover with phone numbers, notes and quotes, can speak for themselves.
Of course, these are not just notes scribbled on a piece of paper. A reporter’s notebooks are filled with stories that serve as a record of who the people were in the communities that the newspaper covers.
Though periodically my office receives calls from readers asking for more local content, I feel my staff writer and I give readers a pretty good sampling of the news in our little nitch of Washtenaw County.
Ed Patino, our sports writer, has done a tremendous job covering the various sports teams in town. Sometimes I think he has a lot harder of a job than I do because everyone wants his or her son or daughter’s record-breaking long jump or touchdown pass mentioned in the paper.
For the two years I have been in Manchester, the newspaper has had the privilege of covering some of our athletes’ greatest achievements. From the Manchester High School wrestling team’s successful seasons to the equestrian, cheerleading and football team’s many successes. Our sports pages are lit up every week with achievements from Manchester’s youth and teens.
As newspapers across the country continue to face the challenges of decreasing readership, low advertising and subscriptions and smaller staffs, I am optimistic that my staff and I will continue to bring hometown news to the people of Manchester.
I also encourage readers to support their local newspaper –– whether it’s the Enterprise, Saline Reporter, Detroit Free Press or Ann Arbor News. The writers, editors, advertising consultants, managers and clerks that make up a newspaper’s staff are all good people who are dedicated and work hard at what they do. And they take pride in what they do.
The Pultizer Prize winning author Richard Kluger once said, “Every time a newspaper dies, even a bad one, the country moves a little closer to authoritarianism; when a great one goes, history itself is denied a devoted witness.”
I hope, as newspapers press forward, I will continue to be the voice of the Manchester community. Thank you for sharing your stories with me.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Guest column: Shopping local pays off
By Rep. Pam Byrnes
As the weather warms, our farmers are busy working toward another successful harvest. Amid all the negative economic news, there lies an opportunity to make a difference in both the local economy and in our own personal lifestyles. This summer I encourage more people to buy their produce and groceries from the array of farmers markets in our area. Spending money on locally-grown food boosts the economy and helps our neighbors stay employed. This sort of agri-tourism keeps money in our community while providing us fresh fruits and vegetables, which are vital to maintaining healthy diets and lifestyles.
While purchasing a bag of vegetables and fruits may seem like a relatively minor thing, buying locally has the potential to help our economy immensely. According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture, if every Michigan household spent just $10 per week on Michigan-produced food, it would keep nearly $40 million every week working right here in our state.
As communities, we need to continue to embrace this growing sector of agri-tourism as farmers markets have proliferated across the state and country. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of farmers markets listed in the national directory grew to 4,685 – a nearly 7 percent increase from 2006 to mid-2008. While this growth is good, continued success for the agri-tourism industry and farmers markets will rest, in part, on consumers spending their money in this industry.
In addition to the economic benefits for vendors and farmers, patrons of farmers markets also stand to benefit from supporting local agri-tourism, as shopping locally can reduce grocery costs. Many farmers are willing to sell the exact quantities you need; meaning you don't walk away with an entire bag of food when only one or two items were needed. This also leads to less unused food going to waste. Also, prices are generally lowest when produce is in season. Buying locally eliminates many of the transportation costs associated with moving the food from production site to your kitchen table.
The benefits of shopping locally at farmers markets extend well beyond simply cutting your grocery bill. A diet with significant portions of fruits and vegetables provides valuable vitamins and nutrients essential to long-term health. These types of foods also are naturally low in fat and calories. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. With soaring health care costs nationwide, taking a preventative approach to medicine is one way to potentially reduce health care costs.
So as we all embark on another great Michigan summer, let's make an effort to support our local agri-tourism, while at the same time making healthy lifestyle choices. Improving both the economy and our health are important to the overall quality of life in Michigan. I hope to see you at a farmers market in the upcoming months.
House Speaker Pro Tempore Pam Byrnes can be contacted by phone at 1-517-373-0828 or toll-free at 1-800-645-1581. Her e-mail address is pambyrnes@house.mi.gov and her Web site is byrnes.housedems.com.
Celebrity Server fundraiser benefits MCS
The Manchester Community Schools Foundation will host its annual “Celebrity Server” fundraiser from 4:30 to 8 p.m. May 12.
Throughout the evening, teachers at Manchester Community Schools will serve as waiters and pizza delivery carriers at Frank’s Place and Classic Pizza in downtown Manchester.
“Come on out and have your favorite teacher serve your dinner or stay in the com-fort of your own home and they can deliver your dinner right to your door,” the Foundation said in a press release.
The Celebrity Server Nights are an annual event for the foundation and provide an opportunity for students to see their teachers in a different role. Teachers wait tables at local restaurants and make deliveries for local pizzerias, while the tips received are donated to the Foundation to help further its mission.
Other Foundation fundraisers include the annual crab races, Manchesteropoly board game sales and the sale of trees at the high school.
For more information, call 428-9711.
Throughout the evening, teachers at Manchester Community Schools will serve as waiters and pizza delivery carriers at Frank’s Place and Classic Pizza in downtown Manchester.
“Come on out and have your favorite teacher serve your dinner or stay in the com-fort of your own home and they can deliver your dinner right to your door,” the Foundation said in a press release.
The Celebrity Server Nights are an annual event for the foundation and provide an opportunity for students to see their teachers in a different role. Teachers wait tables at local restaurants and make deliveries for local pizzerias, while the tips received are donated to the Foundation to help further its mission.
Other Foundation fundraisers include the annual crab races, Manchesteropoly board game sales and the sale of trees at the high school.
For more information, call 428-9711.
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