The Herald Announces Changes to the Cove Calendar

Publisher Allan J. Bassler has announced changes to the Cove Calendar, Williamsburg Calendar and the creation of a Faith Calendar.

“These changes are intended to provide the community with more accurate information about Cove events,” Bassler said. “We understand that there might be some concern about these changes in the community, but these are intended to make things better.”

The changes will go into effect with the April 2, 2020, edition of the Herald.

These changes apply to the Cove Calendar, which usually appears on Page B-1 of the print edition, and the Williamsburg Calendar, which appears on the Williamsburg page.

The changes are:

1) With the April 2, 2020, edition of the Herald, the Cove Calendar and Williamsburg Calendar will only display community events which do not require a payment. Any event which requires a payment to participate will not be listed. This applies to the events of charitable and non-profit organizations and for-profit organizations.

2) Listings in the Cove Calendar and Williamsburg Calendar will be limited to 30 words.

3) Events which are primarily of a religious nature and which do not require a payment to participate will be displayed on a new “Faith Calendar,” which will appear each week on the Faith Page.

The Faith Calendar is intended for faith-oriented events which are not charging for participation and which are not regularly scheduled church services.

Summary

Community events for which no fee is charged to participate – Free listing in the Cove Calendar, limited to 30 words.

Community events for which a fee is charged – Please contact the Herald at 793-2144 to discuss advertising opportunities.

Faith-oriented event for which no fee is charged – Please submit to the Faith Calendar at calendar@mcheraldonline.com.

Faith-oriented event for which a fee is charged – Please contact the Herald to discuss advertising opportunities.

Regularly scheduled church service – Submit to the Herald via the website or email to calendar@mcheraldonline.com for posting online.

Williamsburg events for which no fee is charged – Free listing in the Williamsburg Calendar, limited to 30 words.

Williamsburg events for which a fee is charged – Please contact the Herald at 793-2144 to discuss advertising opportunities.

Website makes it easy

Organizations are encouraged to use the Herald’s website to submit events and post church services.

Go to http://www.mcheraldoline.com and hover over “Calendar” and select “Church Services,” “The Cove” or “Williamsburg.”

Supply the requested information and submit.

Why change is needed

In short, Bassler said, any event which requires a payment will not be accepted for placement in any of the Herald’s calendars.

“We’re not trying to be mean to those planning events which require payment, Bassler said. “We’re just asking that Cove community organizations support the Herald the way that we support them.”

Bassler said that the Herald often publishes (for free) information about Cove community groups and organizations. That will not change. All that the Herald is asking, Bassler said, is that organizations which are holding an event that requires a payment consider placing an announcement advertisement in the Herald.

“We’ve seen a growth in the Cove Calendar both in size and detail of the listings,” Bassler said. “What we are seeing is that some organizations are using the free listing of the calendars and not buying an advertisement to announce the event.”

Like all small newspapers, Bassler said, the Herald relies on advertising to keep subscription costs down. Many local organizations buy advertisements but some do not.

“We have very reasonable advertising prices,” Bassler said. “And we’re willing to work with any group on a cost-effective advertisement in either the print edition or online or both. However,” Bassler said, “what we can’t keep doing is giving away advertising for free.”

Those organizations which are holding events for which a payment is required are asked to consider adding 50 cents or one dollar to the price of the event ticket and then use that revenue to place an announcement ad in the Herald.

Doing so, Bassler, said, supports the Herald’s mission to be a reliable news source for the Cove community.

Those with questions about the policy may call the Herald office at 793-2144 or send an email to publisher@mcheraldonline.com.