News : Vinton Today Celebrating 10 Years!

Thank you all of you WONDERFUL readers and advertisers, you're amazing!

VINTON TODAY celebrates 10 years!

To say that the last 10 years have gone by fast is an understatement. I still remember the mere few hours between walking out of a newspaper office and the phone call to start something that had never been done before.

I'm not a risk taker, I like to know things are safe and guaranteed. Starting an online newspaper that was operated without a backup plan, like a savings account was not something I would have ever imagined doing. At the same time I remember thinking, "eh, why not this newspaper thing seems to keep kicking ya in the teeth so go for it."

It's been a crazy exciting ride. There has been a lot of "just doing it" and seeing what happens and in this crazy world of social media a lot of building relationships with faceless people that I only know through email, Facebook or an occasional text message.

Somehow it's been a good mix of bringing the news, keeping in touch with the friends and neighbors in the small town, and hoping that it feels like a chat over the fence with all of you.

Deepest Thank You

...has to go to so many of you. The advertisers that have been with Vinton Today from the very beginning, thank you for taking a risk on an adventure that you had never seen. You made this possible, thank you for your continuous support, you're the absolute best. Thank you for the advertisers that jumped on board later and said, "Hey, I like this idea!" You have been the best people, and I appreciate you stepping up to support this effort.

...to the readers, without you, what's the point? I love hearing your thoughts and feedback!

...to people who send in story ideas, pictures tidbits of information, you make my job so much easier, and the reading material more versatile, thank you!

...to the folks that dreamed up this idea, created it and said here, YOU run with it, you know what I think about you already, the world needs more like you, and I've tried to pass along my blessing to help others, like you did.

On a personal note

The past couple of years have been the most challenging here. I officially became the owner/publisher/manager/business manager/news editor/editor/graphic designer/ad rep/office manager/ correspondent/videographer/email gal/Social Media director/photographer.

Then along came Jeff Holmes that said, "Can I help? I'll work just for the smiles!" I nearly busted into tears. YES! Someone that understands sports when all I know is that pigskin refers to a football! To say he was an answer to prayer is an understatement. I now had a Sports Guy which took a ton of pressure off of me for an area I knew nothing about. Thanks, Jeff for all that you've done.

Behind the scenes

We've worn out our website.

Fortunately, I know a guy. He's really the guy that brings you Vinton Today. He's not a writer or photographer, but he's the guy that creates the computer code so that you can see this.

Right now, the site that you are reading is being shown to you on computer code that Jeff is sure was created 15 years ago. In the online world that's old enough for social security and a scooter. And yet, it's still kicking anything I've seen in the news business.

When my computer guy said that it's the website is on life support now, and it's time to create a new site, well, I gritted my teeth and went to the bank and we are now going to have a new website. Hopefully, we will roll it out this summer or fall.

Plans are in the works to make the site more mobile friendly which 10 years ago, well, wasn't a "thing" like it is now.

If you have other ideas that you'd like to see included in the new site, feel free to comment below or drop me a note at Vintontoday@hotmail.com and we can mull them over and see if it's something we should include in the new design.

The part I really don't like...

The cost for creating the new site is several thousand dollars, so if you'd like to consider a gift toward this project, it would be most welcome.

At the same time, there are some other things we'd like to roll out to you, which will require equipment that I don't have.

Our cameras are worn out, generally these are $500 each, and silly Jeff seems to think he needs a better lens to cover the games, and it's a pricey attachment, so we'll be trying to find one of those too.

The last fundraiser was I believe at least 3 or 4 years ago, but I really couldn't tell you. I just haven't had the time or energy to put into pulling off another fundraiser, and really this time I don't either, but I need to ask for your help.

If every reader took a few minutes to send in a gift for Vinton Today's 10th Anniversary, that would be swell. I know some of you won't or can't so I'll cringe and ask those of you that can to be as generous as possible, this gal would appreciate it so much.

Unfortunately your donation is NOT tax deductible, sorry folks.

If you'd like to mail a check to: Vinton Today P.O. Box 7, Vinton, Iowa 52349 or click on the donate button at the top of the home page.

From my heart

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to each of you who have made this journey so wonderful. I cannot imagine pulling this feat off in any other town that I've lived in, but it's because Vinton is that awesome. Thank you also for considering a donation to help with all of these expenses, it's humbling to ask, but it's what keeps Vinton Today coming to you.

So on to the next decade and thanks for making this milestone possible, you really are the best, that sounds like such an understatement to me!