New publications coming

Think it's time to signal retreat? The folks in West Jefferson apparently see things in a different light. The Jefferson Post announced its starting up several new publications this year. Here's what they had to say to their readers:

"We believe these publications will help us reach readers interested in particular things," Lonnie Adamson, editor and general manager of the newspaper said this week. "This should give advertisers a new group of people to approach with what they have to offer. The idea is to give advertisers more options and better value by providing places to put dollars that suit their individual needs."

First on the list of publications is a weekly feature called "People of Ashe." It will be primarily produced by part-time writer Monica Neaves, who knows the area and its people well. She works full time for Sun Trust Mortgage.

The next special feature will be staff written and called "Ashe Women in the Know." It will focus on women's issues and needs from medicine to fashion to work to family.

"We debated this format," said Adamson. "We had concerns about the political correctness of it. In face, women in this area seem to have distinct, but diverse, interests. The material will seek to cover all those areas that come up. We welcome ideas. We certainly don't discourage men from reading about these issues. Maybe they can learn something from it too."

The biggest new project is a children's tabloid published monthly. It will include fun facts and puzzles and games targeted to appeal to K-6 grade readers. "Key to its success will be specifically local information, what children are doing, school menus, calendars of events," Adamson said. "We are a community newspaper and live and breathe providing information of local interest."

The name of the children's tab is yet to be determined. We are asking local school children grades K-6 to submit names and subtitles along with artwork for the cover of the first year. The winner will receive a gift certificate from a local business.

Hopefully we'll hear later how these new publications up in the mountains are doing.