April, 2005 - Nr. 4
Dick reports...
Looking Back
Most of our readers that know me personally are aware of the fact that I had over ten years experience with another ethnic newspaper. The offer to join the progressive team at ECHO GERMANICA did not come unwelcome, because I had visions that I could not realize at the other publication.
Now I finally had an opportunity to do what I always wanted. I wanted to connect with the 2nd and 3rd generation descendants of our original immigrants. I had realized that those that arrived in Canada during the 50s and 60s would not live forever. I was looking for a way to keep their young and vital descendants interested in their heritage and in our community.
Publishing to them in English - a language they were familiar with – seemed one way of achieving this and ECHO GERMANICA was the answer.
The arts, culture, social issues and building bridges to other ethnic communities were the directives the paper had set for itself.
Looking back at what this small team of dedicated journalists has accomplished, one can only conclude that ECHO GERMANICA had been on the right track all along.
We covered most of the important events and functions in our community. We supported the various clubs and organizations throughout Southern Ontario.
We attended their functions, club and carnival events, Christmas markets, political and other events of interest to our readers. We pushed power to the various bands to help increase attendance at the various functions.
We also attracted various correspondents who provided interesting or provocative insights at times, which made this publication even more pertinent and interesting to our ever-increasing readership.
Our letters from the Editor and Sybille’s reports always find great interest, judging by the feedback we receive. Of course our crusty Eberhard Kurt Walter is another favorite.
Those of our readers who read ‘Dick reports’ know how extensively we cover events in our community, with special emphasis on those events that feature our younger generations, such as Schuhplattler, carnival dance guards etc.
Caravan was also always an opportunity to socialize with other ethnic communities.
Although non-partisan, we covered most of the important political events such as provincial or municipal elections.
We also covered Christmas Fairs around Ontario, Health Shows, the Toronto Wine & Cheese Show, Auto Show, Molson Indy, the Royal Winter Fair, the CNE and more.
After our 10th anniversary we also started a website on the Internet.
This move had unexpected results. It did not take very long to get over 20,000 hits per day and contacts from all over Canada, the US and Germany – with very positive reactions to this endeavor.
Some of our advertisers that had linked to our website also reported good results, which strengthened our resolve to continue to invite others to link to us, to increase the scope of their marketing efforts.
Some of the clubs use our extensive photo gallery to download photos from their own events. Sometimes they even credit us!
It seems that we are on the right track and we shall continue to march on into the future- as long as you are asking for us! Feeling useful makes us feel youthful!
Comments to: dick@echoworld.com
