In 1961 Chesterton
was rocked by the news that the beloved Aron movie theater on Broadway was
closing. I was ten and I remember the boos and catcalls when the owner came
on stage to explain why he couldn't keep the theater alive.
Now, nearly 60
years later, I find myself living in that man's former home, in the midst,
ironically, of telling Duneland that another local institution is being
forced to close.
Today is the final
day for the printed Chesterton Tribune. I see no viable path to
continuing a printed version of the paper while giving local news the space
it deserves.
I am not going to
relive the day-by-day struggle to keep the paper going. Instead I want to
thank all of our faithful advertisers, readers, route carriers and employees
who have kept community journalism alive.
To all of you who
placed farewell advertisements, sent us emails, posted on Facebook and wrote
Voice of the People letters: Thank you.
To Dana Gilbertson,
Kevin Nevers, Adam Peffers, TR Harlan, Lily Rex, Nicole Miglorini, Heather
Augustyn and all the motor route drivers and foot carriers: Thank you.
To Margaret Willis,
co-publisher and life partner: Thank you.
Back in 1961 when
the Aron closed, I was already working at the Tribune, delivering
newspaper bundles to 7 or 8 stores within walking distance along Calumet and
Broadway.
Please don’t hold
it against me when I say that 60 years is long enough for any job.
To submit news to
Chestertontribune.com please email news@chestertontribune.com