In August 2022 I was appointed the publisher of a group of three community newspapers, collectively known in Forum Communications Co. as the "Lakes Group." I hadn't been a full-time publisher in a number of years, but I saw an opportunity to return to working in the community newspaper space. And while the gig only lasted 10 months before an eventual company restructuring, it was one of the most rewarding professional stints I've ever had. Hats off the the staffs at the Detroit Lakes Tribune, Perham Focus and Wadena Pioneer Journal for welcoming this old newspaper hack for a great run!
Oct. 19, 2022
By Devlyn Brooks
There’s nothing like seeing the spark flare up in the eye of a young person whose imagination has been kindled.
I saw that glowing ember growing in the eyes of Waubun-Ogema-White Earth freshman student Tatum Bement as he talked with Detroit Lakes Newspapers Sports Editor Jared Rubado during last week’s Detroit Lakes Regional Freshman Career Expo held at the high school.
Tatum said that he liked writing about sports in his writing journal, an exercise required in his English class. And you could see that this young man was enthralled with what Jared was sharing with him about what it was like to write sports for a community newspaper. It was a magical moment to witness.
Jared and I got a chance to talk to a couple dozen students during the massive career expo, and it does a publisher’s heart good to see young people still interested in what it is that community papers do. While I’m sure most of those young people don’t pick up the printed paper, they instantly got the concept of publishing to the web. Which was a good reminder to me that as the future employers of these young people, we have our work cut out for us.
I talked with several higher education representatives at the show, and a couple owners of locally operated businesses, and we all seem to be on the cusp of a shift in workforce. Our future employees are the most tech savvy generation ever, and they are looking for employers who are investing in that tech-heavy future.
My friends, we should be taking note.
There certainly always will be a sliver of jobs in which technology won’t change the work. I’m sure we each could readily tick off some. But, the rest of us will be competing for employees amidst a generation of young people who’ve grown up with technology in their hands. They’ve never known a world without tech wizardry, and they’ll expect jobs that suit their experiences.
I’m sure the DLHS freshman expo was an educational experience for the students. But I can assure you that it also was eye-opening for me to get a chance to talk with our future workforce. These are some very smart kids, who engage with their world in ways I never could have imagined as a teenager.
It’s an exciting time to be in the community newspaper business! I can’t wait for these students to teach me a thing or two!
Flannel Shirts 2022
Over the next week, readers will see the insertion of our newest premium magazine offering, one that I assure you is a great read!
You will find the 2022 edition of “Flannel Shirts” inserted in this Saturday’s Detroit Lakes Tribune, and next week’s (Oct. 27) editions of the Perham Focus and Wadena Pioneer Journal.
Flannel Shirts is a comprehensive package of exciting stories and beautiful photos that are all about the outdoors. This year’s magazine includes stories such as an informative piece about the little-known canoe racing scene in Lakes Country, a fascinating piece about how stained glass artist Robert Larson draws inspiration from nature and how the competitive fires of Perham’s youngest anglers are stoked through a local fishing league.
The magazine is truly a piece that you won’t be able to put down until you’ve read it through, cover to cover.
I want to thank our friends and colleagues from the Park Rapids Enterprise who partner with our newspaper group each year to publish this highly anticipated product. We couldn’t ask for a better publishing partner than the Enterprise folks!
Also, I give a nod to the content producers of this year’s magazine: Thanks go out to Barbie Porter, Shannon Geisen, Vicki Gerdes, Michael Johnson, Lorie Skarpness and Elizabeth Vierkant. Your stories are vibrant and engrossing! Thank you!
A second nod goes to those who sold the ever-important advertising to support such a premium product. Hats off to Britanie Rentz, Kathy Dennis, Kristy Helmbrecht, Julie Lake, Jayne Merila, Elizabeth Molacek, Robin Stalley and Kelly Hoeke. Thank you for such great service to our advertisers!
Finally, thank you to magazine editor Tris Anderson for pulling it all together – no easy task! – and designer Jaime Holte for making it look fabulous! Thank you for making us look great!
As you can see, there is a big cast of characters needed to pull together a project this special!
Finally, I would like to thank all of the advertisers in this year’s “Flannel Shirts.” You have my deepest gratitude because without your support, a product like this doesn’t get published. We sincerely value our partnership with you all!
If you are a reader, and enjoy the “Flannel Shirts” magazine as much as I do, then please support these local businesses and services, and be sure to thank them for their support of “Flannel Shirts” 2022!
Devlyn Brooks is the publisher of the Detroit Lakes Tribune, Perham Focus and Wadena Pioneer Journal, and their associated websites. He can be reached at dbrooks@dlnewspapers.com or at 218-844-1451.
Comments