Until I moved to the suburbs, I never fully appreciated the importance a weekly newspaper has within its community.

The local paper here, The Hudson Gazette, is barely 10 pages, yet my neighbors all seem to read it.

Local businesses

Most local businesses advertise within it. In fact, I have used it to acquire clients and sell off property.

The locals hang on to an edition all week and seem especially interested in the classifieds.

The residents of Hudson are very into their community and the activities and shopping it provides, and for this reason they are particularly fond of their local ‘rag.’

I like reading the Police Report, with its bicycle thefts and fender benders. Occasionally, something very serious happens in Hudson, (last year’s meningitis scare comes to mind) and these things are reported, too, in-depth and from a local angle.

Arm’s length

But the paper’s reporting on community events, local advertising and especially the classifieds (why would I buy a used stove from 35 miles away?) causes me always to keep a copy at arm’s length.

Community newspapers in general serve an important purpose. In fact, for business purposes, I would choose to advertise in a community newspaper over the city newspaper because I can get more for my money. And I can better target my market.

Relevant info

People tend to hold onto their weekly paper much as they hold onto the TV Times and for a similar reason. It is full of information relevant to their family’s life.

Dorothy Nixon, 38, is a freelance writer, translator and communications consultant living in Hudson, Que.