One Week Later, Luther Register News Has a Future

Thank you! A week ago, I published a dire (and possibly pathetic) article asking for help to keep Luther Register News alive. And you answered my cry. It’s not often I’m speechless (am I right?), but I am awed by how you stepped up. One week later, I can report that you gave enough reader support, bought ads, and encouraged me enough to keep it going.

I’ve spent many hours relearning the backend of the website. It’s not exactly like riding a bike — but more like getting a new vehicle and figuring out where the windshield wipers are, how to pop the hood, and where the tiny camera in the back is to clean off when the muddy roads cover up the backup guidance. There’s much to do still, and if you visit the website often, you’ll see some changes, such as the two days this week when the stories appeared wacky instead of in the latest order. It’s exciting and frustrating, and overall, web tools, like all technology, are easier to use if I can get passed my old ways.

Thank you. Thank you to the readers who are giving $5 or $10 monthly or gave $60 or $120 or annual support. For those who can afford it and want to, the reader support helped pay the website bills for hosting, updates, and a few new plug-ins. I get frustrated by paywalls, just like a lot of us, although I understand them deeply, and pay for many of them. The news ecosystem remains in an identity and sustainability crisis, but it’s the system we have. And I’m grateful to keep content on this website “free.” Just like in 1899, when the first Luther Register started publishing as the first stores, gins, churches, and schools opened – community news serves a purpose. There’s nothing that will send me down a rabbit hole faster than digging into the archives of the printed Luther Register available online through the Oklahoma History Center. But of all of the times I’ve browsed these pages, I’ve never noticed the tagline above the logo (see photo below) in this front page picture from 100 years ago: “A live weekly newspaper, published for the benefit of its patrons and the publisher’s purse!” That makes me laugh. No one’s getting rich here.

Thank you. Thank you to the new advertisers! Please look at the local ads, click their links, and remember them when you need what they offer. We’ll keep the sale going through the month.

Thank you. My pledge is to earn back your trust and to give you some actual news to read. Next week is meeting week for the town and the school, and I’ll be there with a fresh reporter notepad.

As we grow, wouldn’t it be great to add some additional bylines? The dream is to hire reporters, entice an intern, and get some administrative help. One way to bring in more voices to our community is to ask you to contribute. Columns about recipes, plant care, gardening, books, local history, or anything that might be interesting to readers. Contact me at dawnshelton@lutherregister.news if you have words to share, or want to share a story idea we can work on together.

Thank you. Luther Register News turns ten later this year. Looks like we’re gonna make it! — dawn

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