Next week the Vermont Standard begins its move to new offices, about three miles eastward, right into the middle of the Village of Woodstock. The large granite building across from the post office is less than two blocks from where the paper began publishing in 1853.
After a multi-year search we’re returning to where we can better mingle with our advertisers and readers on a daily basis, unlike what it’s been like for the past 35 years.
Being closer to the people we serve will likely help us to produce an even more interesting and useful weekly newspaper — perhaps even better than our 2013, 14 and 15 editions which were voted the top small weekly newspaper in New England by NENPA, the New England Newspaper and Press Association.
A large part of the decision to move back to our geographical roots came as a result of Tropical Storm Irene. In August 2011, Irene caused the Ottauquechee River to flood and totally destroy our offices located between Dead River Company and the Woodstock Farmers’ Market on Route 4. But that didn’t weaken our resolve to still publish the Standard! We simply would not lessen our commitment to gathering information which people wanted, needed and deserved to have.
With the help of many citizens and businesses we successfully preserved our record of never failing to publish a fresh issue every week since 1853. The crises only intensified our search for a place in the village which earlier owners had migrated from in 1956, long before we assumed ownership in 1981.
We’ll always be grateful for the quick and generous actions of George Helmer for our immediate use and eventual renting of his Lincoln Corners business offices in West Woodstock.
The years there have been enjoyable and productive. But, it’s time to return to the village and the advantages of being based there.
Shortly we’ll be settled in our new digs and return fully to what we’ve been trying to do for years — working diligently to get out more to the towns we principally serve so that more and more people can use the Standard as an important source of information about what’s going on with their own town’s government, schools, churches, organizations and citizens. We think its already working, but we want to do more. It’s our responsibility.
In recent years the Standard has considerably expanded its content, both in written coverage of current events and photography, not only through our traditional print edition but also with our website and online eEdition as well. As we’ve often said — the Standard is like a mirror it holds up to communities so people there can see themselves as they really are.
Most of the time they see what they want and like to see.
Sometimes people see what they prefer not to see. But, that’s what life is all about. Life isn’t perfect. In all instances we print information that people we serve have a right, and often a need to know about. Simply stated, it’s just honest reporting.
All are welcome to visit us upstairs at 47 Central Street at anytime to discuss news, make suggestions, see what makes us tick or just come for a cup of coffee or tea.
Phil Camp, Vermont Standard Publisher
This article first appeared as an editorial in the June 3, 2016 edition of the Vermont Standard.