Mention the special project “Progress” to a reporter and you may get a dirty look, a hefty sigh or a resignation letter.
OK, maybe the resignation letter is a bit extreme.
For as long as I’ve known, newspapers have put together these annual special sections. Reporters moan because it’s a lot of work — a lot of stories, a lot of photos and a lot of extra responsibility on their already full plates.
I totally get it — I’ve been there, done that, shot the dirty looks and released the hefty sighs. However, almost any reporter will agree (upon completion) these are some of the best stories to write, and one of the most rewarding sections we publish.
I call it our good news project. I literally reject any story idea that has even a skosh of negative connotation — something that as responsible journalists we can’t do regularly. It’s become my way of overcoming the everyday routine of readers grabbing onto the gloomy headlines and overlooking the dozens of positive stories we cover each week.
As reporters, it’s pretty easy to pitch these good story ideas to our sources as well. We’d like to capture the positive things happening with your business, school, initiative, project ... can I stop by? It’s an easy sell.
Our upcoming Progress sections, which publish April 22 and April 29 will be packed full of great news. Much of it we have reported on or followed over the past year, others take a fresh look at a developing project or provide new information about a local initiative.
In our community section we’re highlighting many exciting City of Newton projects and providing updates on Colfax’s North Park, Prairie City’s downtown revitalization and Hometown Pride.
Our health section will introduce you to the new director of Park Centre, highlight advances at the YMCA and detail work by a volunteer wellness coalition.
In the business section, we will give a breakdown of new businesses in our area, review investments in our existing businesses, take a look at Beck’s Hybrid in Colfax and celebrate a 50-year-old mainstay in downtown Newton.
Our education roundup will of course feature reconfiguration in Newton and the new administration building and will also take a look at modern classrooms and innovative teachers.
In Newton, I feel this good news project is particularly important. Much has been written, studied and examined about the “Good Old Days Syndrome” our community has suffered since the loss of Maytag. I can sympathize, but I wasn’t here — I don’t fully understand.
To me, I see a progressive community that’s full of a lot of amazing people. I see those amazing people working their tails off to make it even better. The dozens of positive stories we write each week often have to do with one of these initiatives, one of these projects or one of these people. It’s my hope that our Progress editions pull it all together for you, and show you what kind of community you’re living in. My hope is that we can celebrate the good news together.
Contact Abigail Pelzer
at apelzer@newtondailynews.com