John Graham and Rhonda Van Pelt
Recorded
June 7, 2023
Archived
June 7, 2023
39:26 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
mby022788
Description
Friends and colleagues John Graham (70) and Rhonda Van Pelt (65) talk about the role and importance of small-town newspapers and discuss how small-town newspapers have changed over time.Subject Log / Time Code
Rhonda (R) says she is part of an effort to bring back a weekly newspaper to Manitou Springs, Colorado.
John (J) details his family's history in the newspaper industry.
J describes how World War II affected his family's business. He also talks about how the newspaper industry changed over time.
R explains the workflow when she was the managing editor of her campus newspaper.
J says he was 26 years old when he took over as the editor of his family's newspaper.
R talks about the decline of mom-and-pop shops. R and J discuss when casinos were proposed in Manitou Springs and other communities across Colorado.
J remembers some of the great reporters he worked with.
J and R talk about the importance of obituaries in small towns.
J emphasizes the difference a small newspaper can make in a community. R highlights the watchdog role of a small newspaper. J says he is disturbed by the changes to small-town downtowns and newspapers.
J and R share closing thoughts on Manitou Springs and the community.
R shares his thoughts on the current state of small-town newspapers.
Participants
- John Graham
- Rhonda Van Pelt