Throughout each year, at the Fillmore County Journal, our team evaluates what we publish and discusses how we can make improvements in print and online.
Our team takes great pride in producing things that may not be so common in our industry. Back in February of 2016, we presented a hardcover book titled Boots & Badges: Honoring Fillmore County Veterans – a two-year marathon enterprise project. I’m proud of our team for their dedication and commitment to take on a challenge that most newspapers would never even consider. And for the record, I had never published a book in my entire life, so the entire process was a learning experience. I’m just glad we had Assistant Editor Ellen Whalen and Creative Director Jana Boyum in the pilot seats. And, supporting us with all online efforts was SMG Web Design General Manager Michelle Haugerud.
Another venture that has evolved since its inception in 1985 is our Visit Bluff Country Magazine. Over the past 32 years, our tourism publication has transitioned from a visitors guide primarily serving Fillmore County to a re-branded premiere tourism publication delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin — increasing distribution from 15,000 to 50,000. No other publishing company in the four-state region can hold a candle to this high quality magazine with such massive distribution. And, this takes a team effort far beyond the norm. Whether in print or online, our goal is always to reach more people.
Then there are the tribute pages that have become an anticipated keepsake. Most recently, we recognized Fillmore County’s best track and field athletes performing at the state tournament. And, this week, we are paying tribute to the Fillmore Central Girls Golf team for their second place finish at that state tournament. These tribute pages never existed a few years ago until Creative Director Jana Boyum joined our team with her magic wand.
I was recently conversing with Sherry Hines, who started her career with the Fillmore County Journal in 1986. She recalled the first time she presented the idea of recognizing graduates of Harmony High School. Look what arrived in your Fillmore County Journal in May of 2017 — a high quality graduation section dedicated to every high school graduate for more than seven school districts in our coverage area. Sherry Hines was a catalyst to make that happen on a grander scale. In any company, one great idea from one person becomes the launchpad for many great ideas. But, it takes that initial idea to get the ideas rolling.
Every person on our team contributes ideas that help us evolve to become better year after year. We may not always make things happen as quickly as we’d like, because there are only so many hours in the day. But, we continue to re-prioritize our objectives with the ultimate outcome of serving our readers and advertisers the best way possible.
And, this brings me to the point of my commentary.
Many residents and business owners have a photogenic Fillmore County Journal calendar draped within their daily view. We did print 14,000 copies, so I know there are a few of them hanging around.
In 2009, this calendar did not exist. In 2010, our first calendar was born, and our readers and advertisers have grown to expect it as the norm. This 13-month calendar has evolved, and we are looking forward to taking it to the next level.
For a few years, we’ve been talking about the possibility of personalizing the calendar to include birthdays, anniversaries, and memoriams. The hardest part of making anything happen usually relates to the first step — getting started.
So, in 2018, we will be initiating this new feature. In today’s Fillmore County Journal you can find more information about how to reserve your special date of recognition. Just imagine the surprise look on your wife’s face when she opens the Fillmore County Journal calendar in late December of 2017, and sees her birthday listed — knowing there are 14,000 copies distributed. Everyone will know her birthday, which means you’ll never forget it! And, if you really want to impress your wife, include your wedding anniversary in this calendar. Speaking as a husband of 17 years, we can never earn enough brownie points.