I would like to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas. This time of year always invites reflection, and looking back, it’s fair to say the year behind us has been both strange and challenging.
Many households have felt the strain. Many businesses have had to make tough decisions, adapt quickly, or simply try to stay afloat. It has not been an easy year for our communities, and that reality deserves to be acknowledged.
But alongside the challenges, I’ve witnessed something truly encouraging.
Our communities have demonstrated real strength and have reminded us what local support looks like.
Across Lanark County, there has been a renewed sense of connection. Neighbours supporting neighbours. Businesses supporting local. And residents paying closer attention to what’s happening right here at home. In uncertain times, people are looking closer to home for information they can trust, and local news matters more than ever.
This past year has been one of remarkable growth for Hometown News. Our website continues to see strong and steady traffic, with tens of thousands of readers turning to us each month. Our social media platforms now reach hundreds of thousands of people across the county and beyond, and engagement continues to climb. These numbers matter, but what matters more is what they represent: a growing interest in local stories, local voices, and local issues.
That growth doesn’t happen without support.
To our advertisers, thank you. Your investment in local media helps make independent, community-rooted journalism possible. When you support Hometown News, you’re also supporting the communities you serve, and we are deeply grateful for that trust.
I also want to extend heartfelt thanks to our editor, Laurie Weir, and our head of production, Tara McNeil. These two women truly keep Hometown News running. Their commitment, professionalism, and care for the work show up in every issue and every story we publish.
To our many writers and contributors, thank you. Your voices, perspectives, and dedication to telling local stories give Hometown News its depth and heart. You help shine a light on the people, events, and issues that matter most to our communities.
And most of all, thank you to our readers.
Thank you for your loyalty, your engagement, and your belief in the value of local news. Thank you for reading, sharing, commenting, and trusting us. You give us the privilege of doing this work and of keeping you connected to your community.
From all of us at Hometown News, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with hope, health, and continued connection.
With sincere gratitude,
Patricia Krotki
Publisher, Hometown News
