We’ve been trying to secure another vendor for our single-copy sales in Pateros since the previous vendor, under new ownership, decided not to continue selling the paper. It’s not easy to find a place that will deal with the logistics of displaying and selling newspapers, and the business paperwork that goes with that.
We also lost another single copy outlet when the Carlton Store closed, so it’s been difficult for lower valley residents to find a paper without coming to Twisp (as a reminder, you can subscribe for $33 a year and have it conveniently delivered).
Happily, we have found a new home in Pateros, at the Pateros-Brewster Community Resource Center, next door to Sweetriver Bakery (for the record, the address is 169 Pateros Mall, Suite A).
The center describes itself a nonprofit corporation that provides a location and infrastructure for community needs, and connects people in the community “with critical resources through case management, client advocacy, and behavioral/mental health services.” In other words, a place where people come together.
I had a nice chat last week with the center’s Executive Director Gene Dowers and Pateros Mayor Carlene Anders (who happen to be married to each other) at the Pateros Mall office. They regard making the newspaper available as another community service.
As you might expect, they are multi-tasking people. Mayor Anders is also Executive Director of the Okanogan County Long Term Recovery Group. Dowers has been a high school coach for years and is the Postal Service delivery driver for Bridgeport. Together they are remodeling a nearby former restaurant that they hope to open soon as a new eatery. They are plugged into all-things-Pateros and promise to keep me advised.
Asked if Pateros minds being called “the gateway to the Methow Valley,” Dowers responded: “We love it.” There are a lot of connections (business and personal) between upper and lower valleys, and our hope is to offer more news about major happenings in Pateros.
As for the stretch of Highway 153 between Twisp and Pateros, that’s still a problem without a reliable outlet (the post offices can deliver the paper subscriptions but not sell them). We’re still looking for a solution.
Still time to vote
There’s still time to participate in voting for the “Top 10 News Stories of the Year,” to be revealed in our Jan. 1 Year in Review issue. To participate, you can clip out and mail the ballot in this week’s paper to our office in Twisp, or vote online by visiting methowvalleynews.com/2019/11/25/top-ten-2019.
I usually wait until near the end of the submission period to began tallying results, because I kind of want to be surprised by the outcome. The more entries, the better sense we have of what the community considers important.
Quick on the draw?
Our longtime editorial cartoonist Tania Gonzalez Ortega is, as we mentioned earlier, resigning from the position. Her last cartoon will be in the Jan. 1 issue. We have one applicant to fill the spot so far, but I would entertain some more. If interested, email a cover letter and representative samples to editor@methowvalleynews.com. I’m most interested in cartoons about local events and issues, and want to continue the tradition of having our own cartoonist. Meanwhile, we have some syndicated alternatives to fill the gap.
Reporter report
Sadly, we are saying goodbye to News reporter Ralph Schwartz, who has resigned that position. Ralph has used his extensive journalism experience to produce great stories for us, and has been steadily figuring out the community. Unfortunately, the logistics of working here and trying to maintain a family in Bellingham ultimately became untenable. We’ll miss his energy, enthusiasm and curiosity, and wish him the best.
So, we again on the lookout for a reporter/photographer, preferably with previous experience in community journalism. Ralph was a great find for us. We’re hoping to get lucky again. More information will be forthcoming.
Don’t be late
And, because it seems we can’t say it often enough, please be aware that the News has early deadlines for the Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 issues. Seems like we have to contort ourselves every year to work around the holidays to get the paper out and have family time, and 2019 is no exception. For complete information about the upcoming deadlines, see the story on page B5.
