BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS OWNER
Recently we put out the call for people interested in joining the Elmore/Autauga News team, to help us spread the GOOD news of our coverage area. I am so very pleased to say that we heard from so many people from across our area. Today we welcome Maggie DiGiovanni, of Eclectic. She will be covering “the good stuff” of Eclectic, and if you are a resident or official there, you now have a good contact in your area.
We have two other writers we will be introducing in the very near future as well. We would still love to have someone to cover the western side of Autauga County. If you are interested, and have some type of writing background or ability, good communications skills, clean criminal history and photography ability, shoot me an email to editorsarah@yahoo.com.
Our readership has grown tremendously in the six years since the Elmore/Autauga News was created. What started on my home computer, with the idea of doing a simple Facebook page and a few stories a week, has surpassed anything I ever imagined. To be honest after being a degreed journalist with over 30 years of experience, I was tired. Tired of the corporate world, and media bias. Tired of larger media companies only showing up for the bad news. Tired of residents in smaller communities not getting their due recognition for a servant’s heart.
Over the years we established a popular website at elmoreautauganews.com, a huge media following, an office in downtown Millbrook and a passionate staff! With my partner, Carla Wilson, we have forged a plan for media coverage in this area. It based on a simple principal that I preach about a lot.
The bad news takes no skill to report. It comes uninvited. It is much more difficult to give proper coverage to all that is good in our communities. We continue to ask for your help with that. You are the eyes and ears and if you know of an event, a possible news story, breaking news….we want to hear from you. You can always reach me at editorsarah@yahoo.com.
Here is an introduction from Maggie, and we ask you to help us welcome her to the EAN family. Her first story features the Cornerstone Coffee Company of Eclectic, and will post that later today.
From Maggie DiGiovanni
Elmore/Autauga News
Good morning, readers. Welcome to Eclectic, a small town with a huge heart. I will be reporting the happenings here. For those who live in Eclectic, please send all the news that is happy news. It seems we have more than our share of bad. With that in mind, I will be concentrating on the good.
If you have news, or a story idea, please contact me at 334-530-0717.
To those who have never visited Eclectic, make it a point to do so. Whether visiting friends, or on a day trip, it is well worth your time. The people are friendly, helpful and always have smiles to welcome visitors or new town citizens.
Many years ago, I left for the big city of Washington, D.C. Events transpired that gradually completed the circle and I returned to the town of my childhood. Frankly, it was even smaller than I remembered it, with too many empty shops.
What a change during the seven years after returning here! We not only have a bakery, a nutrition shop, unusual and beautiful stores for clothing or furniture, we have merchants who brought home the Elmore County Best In Multiple categories.
We have the best caterer, the best clothing store, the best furniture and the best place to work. If that isn’t enough, check out the best baker – Sugar and Spice. Want to cook for yourself? Visit the best grocery store. Yes, that is in Eclectic, too. I would add we have the best police and fire departments, bar none. Eclectic is small in size? Yes. Large in potential – absolutely and that potential is being recognized.
What is most interesting is having been away so long yet being accepted back into the community with open arms. This is truly a town of good news. I look forward to hearing from everyone in Eclectic when they hear or experience it.
