And so this year of newspapering comes to a close in an orgy of origami. We seek year-end alms in support of a paper that is folded in half by offering a holiday ornament created through the ancient art of folding paper.
From our map that guides visitors (and locals) toward the treasures of Cold Spring magically springs a sailboat, symbolizing our river journey through the world’s end shoals of print publishing in the age of digital.
We are a ship’s crew, holding a rope, climbing a mast, keeping a lookout, hoping for a fair wind, each taking an oar when the breezes die.
“Help keep us afloat!,” we call out through the morning fog. “Help keep us afloat!” we sing in the afternoon sunlight. “Help keep us afloat,” we whisper as our evensong.
We sent out the boats so that they might bring back a measure of wealth to see us through another year. This is a season for asking. As a nonprofit venture, dependent on donations, we do so humbly, recognizing how many other worthy endeavors compete for your support.
We couldn’t make enough of our boats for everyone who might want to adorn their holiday tree. If you really want one, please ask, as I have a secret stash for a select few who come with check in hand.
We are grateful to those supporters who lent their skills and time not only making the boats (Made in Philipstown! — thank you, Stacey Farley) but also displaying patience in trying to teach the art form to some reluctant scribes. Generally we prefer folding sentences onto paper rather than folding paper into sentences.
The value proposition we offer is that a community’s quality of life is enhanced with a newspaper and website that seeks to reflect the community’s life with some fairness, balance, wit and occasional insight. We try to do our work with a light enough touch so that everyone feels they can do business with us even if they’re having a bad week.
The bargain we seek to strike is to keep publishing with help from the readers based on what they can afford. We are, as with any nonprofit enterprise, much dependent on the goodwill of a few with the means to offer significant support. But those individuals or foundations or even we the staff, need to know there is broader support to maintain enthusiasm and momentum and to pay bills. So all contributions matter both financially and existentially.
So, please, contribute if you can. All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. Don’t overlook matching gifts if your employer offers them, and we welcome smaller, recurring donations as well — check the “recurring” box when donating at philipstown.info/support.
Thank you for all the comments and critiques. Keep them coming. The board of directors and staff of Philipstown.Info, Inc. wish you Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas.
Kevin E. Foley
Managing Editor
