Behind the scenes: Looking back at what we learned in 2023

Which, okay, we are the newspaper of record for two counties (Hood River and The Dalles), cover another extensively (White Salmon/Bingen area) and dabble in another two (Sherman and Skamania). We’re never going to run out of content, let’s get real.

But I like year-in-reviews — I like wrapping things up, taking a look back, remembering the big stories and the small. Maybe because I collect Hood River history items for our Yesteryears page, I also like thinking about what stories will stand out for whoever is doing that job 100 years from now. (I imagine they’re thinking, “Oh, how cute, they used paper back then!”)

This is probably a good time to mention that subscribers get unlimited access to our online content, which means you can read us anywhere — the coffee shop, the beach, your house, your car. And we’re having a sale! A digital subscription for new subscribers is 99-cents every four weeks for one year. We also have student subscriptions — including college — at the same rate.

And don’t forget about our Share a Subscription deal — subscribe to Columbia Gorge News (new or renewal) and you can share a free year of the newspaper with someone who does not yet have a subscription. Email Circulation Manager Tanya Lindsey at tanyal@gorgenews.com with your information and the name, address and phone number of the person receiving the free sub — we’ll let them know it’s a free gift from you.

While I’m in sales mode: If you are a business owner and would like to carry Columbia Gorge News, email Owner and Publisher Chelsea Marr at chelseam@gorgenews.com for details.

Behind the Scenes: A recap

All right, let’s get to it!

We kicked off 2023 with the theme of “archives” — and the steps you can take to find the information you’re looking for or how to narrow down the search if you want our staff to do it for you. My big advice: Start with our website, columbiagorgenews.com. And if you do need to ask us for help, be patient. We’ve got a lot going on and won’t be able to get to it right away.

In February, we discussed obituaries, namely that I’m the obituary department. This one got a lot of comments on Facebook — people upset that we charge for obituaries (I mean, printing the newspaper does cost money) and/or that I won’t write them (you guys … I simply do not have time). I was surprised that obituaries were so controversial, but I am always optimistic about all the wrong things. Anyway: Obit deadline is a hard Monday at noon (unless it’s a holiday), and I need copy, photos and your okay and payment before I can schedule for the upcoming edition.

Want to contact someone in our office? I tackled that in March. I still hear that we’re hard to get a hold of (which, fair. Some of us work primarily from home and/or are out and about on assignment and not sitting at a desk at regular times). But then, our callers don’t always leave messages, either. If you can email, try that first. If you can’t, give us a call. Both email addresses and extensions for our staff can be found on our website. Click the little home button (it looks like a house!) on our website (columbiagorgenews.com) and scroll to “about us” or “contact us.” Departments, names, titles — it’s all there. And if you do go the phone route, please, I beg you, leave a message with your name, telephone number, reason for your call and when you called. We will get back to you as soon as we can. But that will be never if we don’t know you called in the first place.

It appears I did not write a column in April. Oops.

I was back in May, and we talked about the ever-changing (and sometimes confusing) newspaper style guidelines also known as AP style. And how we have our own CGN style, too. Basically, we merge two styles into our own and no one probably notices but us.

I wrote back-to-back columns in June on accident. The first I had planned: How to pay your Columbia Gorge News bills. I learned a lot about our bookkeeping system by writing that one. One important note: If you’re sending in a subscription payment, mail it to Columbia Gorge News, PO Box 1910, The Dalles, OR 97058; for everything else, send it to Columbia Gorge News, PO Box 390, Hood River, OR 97031.

The second column I did not plan. At all. That was when our longtime Managing Editor Mark Gibson suddenly passed away. That has been a huge blow to our staff. We miss him — and what I wouldn’t give to have five minutes to bounce something off of him again. Mark was knowledgeable and kind, and a mentor to all of us.

I skipped July. I wrote two in June. I figured we needed a break.

In August, we went over the newspaper’s letters policy: Sign your letters, must be 350 words or less, don’t be mean. If you have a letter, send it to letters@gorgenews.com or hit the home button on the website, click “submission forms” and then “letter to the editor.”

In September, I wrote about ethics, and how our newspaper covers stories. In a nutshell: Facts, not feelings or speculation or what your neighbor said. I didn’t expect that column to magically fix all the calls and emails I get complaining about stories (which generally boils down to: “I don’t like what you wrote so I need to tell you it’s completely wrong”), but I did hope it would at least help. (It hasn’t.) Well, I tried.

October was a fun month all around because we had an outbreak of illnesses that essentially closed all our offices. That seemed like the time to mention it’s always a good idea to make an appointment before you come to the office in person. Otherwise, you may find the doors locked. (Just when I thought we were on a more regular staffing schedule, sickness returned in November. So yes, please call. I know it’s frustrating when we’re not there.)

I skipped November because of reasons. (No room in the paper and also, I forgot to write one.) Which brings us to December, and while recapping my recap would be funny, it’s time for me to end this thing.

Thank you for supporting our mission of bring regional news to the Gorge.

See you in ’24!