Lakeville Journal Editorial

This newspaper includes in its mandate communicating not just with its readers, but also with its colleagues across the region through press associations and other groups, such as the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors.

It’s been a summer of celebration of local journalism in the Northwest Corner, spurred by the 125th anniversary of the founding of this newspaper, The Lakeville Journal, in 1897.

There are few things in life as enjoyable as watching workers work, especially those who are now out in such great numbers in the region doing new or rehab construction. Thankfully, there are plenty of people, including official inspectors, who are willing to keep close watch on the quality and process of work being done all over.

It can be too easy for even Northwest Corner residents, who are as a group highly aware of their natural surroundings, to take for granted access to a varied supply of produce of all kinds. Farm markets and stands now abound in the region, and supermarkets generally have a good, rotating supply of fruits and vegetables, in and out of season.

Having served The Lakeville Journal’s readership as reporter, executive editor and Compass and special sections editor (sometimes simultaneously) since 1999, Cynthia Hochswender will now be bidding the newspaper a fond farewell, leaving as Compass and special sections editor as of Oct. 7.

The past three (or really, two-and-a half) school years have surely been the most challenging in any educator’s, parent’s or student’s memories.  COVID-19 restrictions meant that there were times children in Region One schools could not take part in face-to-face learning, but rather only be remote.

History is happening all around us, at every moment, but we often miss it because we’re not right at the place where it’s happening, or we just don’t realize that this thing we’re seeing is important.

The challenge of keeping any business or service going for 125 years cannot be overstated: As times change, needs change, and there are no easy answers to remaining relevant. So for a small community weekly newspaper like The Lakeville Journal to have continued over all these years was not a given.