While the staff with the paper is always striving to deliver the best stories possible, a lot of our best content isn’t generated inside of the newsroom, but by our readers.

Whether it’s as simple as letter to the editor thanking another person from the community or beautifully shot photo, our reader-generated content is one of the strengths of our publication. Providing a venue for the public to express their opinion and creativity is a core tenet of the Daily News, and we continue to hold that very closely to our hearts.

And now is a good as time as any for readers to jump in.

A few months ago, we asked if any of our readers would be interested in becoming one of our weekly columnists, and that offer still stands today. Featured every Thursday, our columns provide a way for readers to tell the stories they want to share with their neighbors, adding their distinct flavor compared to the useful news fare. Not only do our readers look forward to them every week, but our editorial staff enjoys them just as much.

Perhaps you are a local history buff, who wants to share an obscure event that happened in the city 30 years ago. Or perhaps you have an interesting job that affects the entire community. Or maybe you just have a recipe book full of hidden gems you can’t wait to share with others.

It doesn’t matter who you are either. One of the great things about our columnists is that they are from all walks of life, and they all share the same page. The only thing we’re looking for is great content and a weekly or monthly commitment.

Also, the paper has recently unveiled a new section in our Friday edition, entitled “Almost Yesterday.” As many of you already know, we are featuring photos from the yesterdays of the Dowagiac and Cass County area, to give our readers a look into their community’s past.

As we mentioned at the launch of the section, we are looking for photo submissions for it as well. Maybe it’s a picture of you and your parents enjoying ice cream at Caruso’s; or perhaps it’s a picture of your grandfather fishing at the Mill Pond. Again, the subject can be of anything, from any time period.

People interested in submitting content to the Daily News can do so by emailing the community editor at ted.yoakum@leaderpub.com, or by dropping it off at the Dowagiac Depot or at Leader Publications building, located at 217 N. Fourth St. in Niles.

 

Ted Yoakum is the community editor for the Dowagiac Daily News. Call him at (269) 687-7706. Email him at ted.yoakum@leaderpub.com