Publisher’s message: Happy 4th birthday Chelsea Update

While the community was enjoying a hot Saturday, July 23, 2016, Chelsea Update was quietly celebrating its 4^th birthday.

Yes, it’s already been four years (and one day) since I launched Chelsea Update as a one-person, 7-days-a-week news site for this community. And since then, I’ve published more than 8,500 stories and almost 1,000 photo galleries.

This could not have happened without the help of wonderful reporters Crystal Hayduk and Lisa Carolin. Huge thank you’s go to Alan Scafuri, Burrill Stong, Alan Ashley, and Allen Wright for their contributions as well.

It’s also those folks behind the scenes — Elizabeth Richardson, Bridget Favre and Leslie Surel, who are invaluable as well. (Oops, better not forget the four-legged staff Ryan and Buzz, either.)

And my advertisers. From the local business owners who took a chance on me when I started – and you know who you are – to those who have joined the ranks recently. More are always welcome, of course, but each and every one of you is important to the continued existence of Chelsea Update.

And the community. The ability to shine a spotlight on this terrific community, its businesses, residents, student athletes, volunteers, civic groups and events is something I consider not only an honor, but also a privilege.

I wish I were independently wealthy and didn’t have to continually seek advertising and contributions, but I’m not. Chelsea Update is my full-time job, and I, too, have bills to pay.

Although I keep trying to cultivate a magical money tree in the backyard alongside my vegetable and fruit crops, I haven’t been very successful to date. This doesn’t mean I won’t keep trying to find alternate sources of funding, though. Perhaps this is the year that I’ll discover unexpected or untapped sources?

Ever the positive person, I’m keeping my eyes and heart open to those possibilities. I’ve spent a lifetime in this ever-changing news business and I genuinely love getting up each day knowing that I’ll be providing you, the readers, with your local news. And that those decisions are all mine to make.

As I look back over the last four years, I’m reminded of the hours and hours of work and the hours and hours of enjoyment I’ve received from taking a chance on this community with this little venture. Thank you, everyone, for allowing me to do this and for supporting me along the way.

Over and over, I’m told Chelsea Update is the voice of Chelsea and that’s exactly what I’d hoped this little online news source would be when I launched it.

So, in lieu of a party at the Chelsea Bakery this year, I decided to wait until the fifth anniversary for another community celebration. With cake.

Instead, be sure to stop by our table outside the bakery at the Sounds and Sights Festival on Friday, July 29 and pick up a special surprise give-away – something I think will remind you of Chelsea Update and will be useful, too.

And, yup, here comes the thing I hate to do the most. We will have a donation jar there should you be so inclined to show your support of my efforts, or you can send a check in any amount to Chelsea Update, 18829 Bush Road, Chelsea, MI 48118.  Any and all contributions are appreciated.

So with that said, I’d like to thank the following people for their recent contributions to Chelsea Update.

Brian McLaughlin
Lisa Orlandi-Korner
Sharewords
Jan Bernath
Nancy Paul
Faith in Action
Edward Driscoll
Mary Zale
Jenn Ridley
Anonymous
Kathy Claflin
John Budinger
Fred Barkley
Dietrich and Mary Schulze
Mary Green
Jennifer Kundak, Jeff Cowall and Mike Kundak-Cowall
Marcia White
Carol Blotter and John Deikis