By Staff
Information reaches our editor and reporter desks in various ways. One of the newest, via e-mail, I was extremely leery of in the beginning, but as time goes on have come to love.
The old faithful, the fax machine, continues to be a source of communication between the editorial departments and funeral homes, schools, organizations and others who wish to have an item published.
And not to be forgotten, the U.S. Postal Service still brings in letters to the editor, photos of births, engagements, anniversaries and weddings.
Each week we take the information from these various sources and fill our papers with the dates and times of coming events, news items and milestones.
To better assist those wishing to submit information to any of the Leader Publications, The Niles Daily Star, The Dowagiac Daily News, Cassopolis Vigilant and Edwardsburg Argus, here are some points to remember.
The Leader, which is received at every home, doesn't print free information on coming bake sales and church events, but this paper has an excellent readership.
Those who are in charge of an event to raise money for a cause, or support the organization's good works, would be wise to consider purchasing a classified advertisement the week or two before the event in the Leader.
Tracy Haines, the classified word manager, would be happy to give a quote on the cost.
She can be reached by e-mail at: tracy.haines@leaderpub.com or by phone at (269) 687-7712.
Items directed to the Dowagiac Daily News can be sent to Managing Editor John Eby at: john.eby@leaderpub.com or by calling him at (269) 782-2102, ext. 17.
A drop slot in the door on Spaulding Street is a way to submit photos and news items.
Sports news for Dowagiac, Edwardsburg and Cassopolis, all goes to Scott Novak, the Dowagiac sports editor, at: scott.novak@leaderpub.com or by calling (269) 782-2102, ext. 19. He works out of the Niles office in the morning at (269) 687-7702.
Niles' sports should be directed to Daily Star Sports Editor Erika Pickles at (269) 687-7703 or by e-mail to erika.pickles@leaderpub.com.
For the Niles Daily Star, direct news to Managing Editor Michael Guilmette Jr. at: michael.guilmette@leaderpub.com or call (269) 687-7706.
Cassopolis and Edwardsburg information can be sent to myself at: marcia.steffens@leaderpub.com or by calling (269) 687-7713.
You may notice the pattern – you can reach any of us at leaderpub.com, which is also the Web site for all of our papers.
Forms to help send information are available at that Web site.
Photos can be sent as an attachment to our e-mail address, as a jpg. When you put the photo in the copy, we often can't retrieve it for publication.
PDF fliers are informative, but are not easily turned into a news item. It would be better to highlight the main parts including: what, where, why, when, how much, etc., and include this in the body of an e-mail.
Sometimes an item will make it into the calendar, but there just isn't enough room always for a separate story.
We try to run the calendar often, so the dates are published several times.
Letters to the editor need to be mailed to 217 N. 4th St., Niles, MI 49120, or 205 Spaulding, Dowagiac, MI 49047.
They need to be signed by the writer and include a phone number and address for verification.
The earlier the better on calendar items, especially for the weeklies, which go to press on Wednesday morning.
Most of the paper is ready to go by Tuesday afternoon.
Hope this helps, but feel free to call if you still have questions on how to submit news, photos and milestones.
We are your local newspaper and wish to help you make your events successful.