It’s hard to believe a year has flown by in the blink of an eye! What a fun and fulfilling year it’s been as a regular contributor to Hometown News—a local community newspaper with a big heart!
I’m truly blessed to have been invited onboard by the publisher, Trish Krotki. She may not have realized it at the time, but her offer helped me find my footing again after life pulled the rug out from under me.
I’ll admit, I was floundering for a hot minute—unsure of what life would look like without the safety net of a full-time job with benefits. It was scary territory, and I couldn’t remember the last time I was without work.
But here I am now, doing what I love: telling stories that matter, (since I was three; ask Mom!) for this independent local news outlet.
So, what’s new?
Big changes coming
We’re assembling an advisory committee to help shape the future of Hometown News! We’re looking for community-minded individuals—Fbusiness owners, former politicians, professionals, artists, and anyone passionate about local news. This committee will help guide us with ideas, story suggestions, and more. If you’re interested, reach out to Trish at pmkrotki@pdgmedia.ca or email me directly, ljweir@pdgmedia.ca
We hope to get things rolling by spring!
Sign up for our e-paper
We’ve also just launched a free weekly e-paper! Stay in the loop with the latest local news delivered straight to your inbox. You can subscribe here: hometownnews.ca/subscribe.
This is the only local news agency in our community—it’s not a big conglomerate based in southern Ontario, or dropped in by an out-of-province paratrooper. We’re local journalists living, working, and breathing in this community every day. That counts for everything!
Who are we?
PUBLISHER: Patricia Krotki, launched the paper 14 years ago to pay homage to the business community. It has since morphed into a trusted local news source. She owns The Pickled Pig in Smiths Falls, and she’s the architect/design consultant at Polcan Design Group. This passionate foodie is a volunteer and community advocate. She sits on the board of directors at Harvest House as their secretary.
MANAGING EDITOR: That’s me – CCNA/OCNA award-winning community journalist, former news editor with Metroland Media. I launched WeirView Media last year, and am a regular contributor to the Hometown News. Email me with any tidbits or story ideas – ljweir@pdgmedia.ca.
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Tara McNeil. The mighty soul behind the keyboard who keeps us on task with newspaper layout, web design, ad design, and e-paper creations – among a million other things she does in a day. She also keeps the social media posts up to date, and fields comments and questions as they come in. (Daunting!)
ADVERTISING: Alycia Whyte. If you have any questions about ad rates, or want to run some cool campaigns, Alicia is your contact. awhyte@pdgmedia.ca will find her. Please reach out!
REPORTERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS/COLUMNISTS: Kathy Botham (our local photographer who is everywhere all the time!), Sally Smith (who has been telling stories for years, and always has some really neat reads!) Heddy Sorour, (long-time journalist with latest work in the Ottawa Business Journal and we worked together at Metroland. She covers a lot of the Carleton Place news and anything else that comes her way), and Brian Preston, our travelling sommelier, whose pieces always have me ogling the sales at the LCBO.
Come check out the new Hometown News—you won’t be disappointed!
