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NEWS

The Norwich Guidon
Mar. 25, 2004

Celia Barnes takes over as new owner of The Northfield News

By Holly Manning
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Employees of The Northfield News work to complete another issue. The 126-year-old newspaper was recently sold after Jim and Ingrid Wilson ended their 21-year ownership of the local newspaper. Celia Barnes is the new owner. (Chujko photo)

In 126 years, dating back to 1878, The Northfield News has yet to miss an issue, but this phenomenon almost came to an end in January.

Former owner, Ingrid Wilson, and her husband took over as the owners of the paper 21 years ago but recently decided that it is time to step down.

"It was going to close down, because we had an arrangement with someone else to take over, and they backed out, so we just felt exhausted, and we needed some rest," Wilson said.

It was in a January issue where current owner, Celia Barnes, found out about the paper closing down. This was when someone had suggested she buy it, she said.

Laurie Lyons, a local resident, is just one of the many who would have been affected in a negative way if the paper had shut down.

"I was really upset, because although this is a small town, The Northfield News has always provided interesting local news," Lyons said.

The weekly paper consists of a variety of items such as government ads, classifieds, sports, people of the week, news features, and upcoming events, Barnes said.

"It’s a community newspaper, and it ties the community together. It’s a good source of information that lets us know what's going on in our town," said Jackie Seals, a Northfield resident.

"I think The Northfield News is a much more positive newspaper as opposed to others. The other newspapers like to focus on negative issues, because they think that we like to hear about it, but it's nice to hear about positive things that are going on in our community," Seals said.

"We always try to keep it free of bias. We work really hard with that, and we didn't do many editorials for just that reason," Wilson said. "Being in a small community, it's hard to separate fact from rumor, so we're always trying to get the facts."

To improve on the paper a bit, Lyons said it should be lengthened more, while Seals said they should do without putting names in the police log.

Thanks to Barnes, the community still has the luxury of still being able to enjoy the one thing that seems to pull the community together.

"When people found out it was going to be bought, again, strangers have been coming up to me, emotional about how wonderful it is that the paper will continue. It's a real vital part of the community," Barnes said.

Wilson knew how popular the paper was to the community, but she didn't quite realize just how much it meant to them until word got out of its closing down. "It’ll go for another 125 years," she said.

"The Northfield News has been around here for a really long time, and it'd be really sad to see a popular local newspaper shut down," Seals said. "I think the previous owners did a great job, and I hope to see the new owner succeed and keep it open."

Barnes said the Wilsons are mentoring her for three months, which is "invaluable", and she enjoys learning new things.

"I love it. I find more and more that I'm more suited to it than I realized. With all the things I've done in the last 50 years, many of the things are usable here, and that's nice," Barnes said.

While Wilson is sad about stepping down, she is happy for Barnes, and she is still helping out with the paper.

"Being in the news business is a tremendous amount of work," Wilson said. "It's always on your mind. Wherever you go, you're thinking about it."

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.