It will come as no surprise to those who are readers of newspapers that newspapers have struggled with subscriptions and advertising revenue for many years. This is true at both the national and local levels, in big cities and small towns. Communities many years ago often had multiple papers, sometimes a morning paper and a different evening paper. People get their “news” or information from so many sources today, not just newspapers and other print, and not only from television. Many today obtain most, if not all, of their news about events from the internet, including social media.

Librarians and other supporters of libraries worried that libraries might not exist into the future, given the advent of online books and movies and music. But libraries have adapted and remain strong and vibrant community settings. The future of newspapers continues to be a source of worry.

Newspapers have to include information that people want to read, of course. And the writing needs to be good and relevant. But part of the responsibility of the future of newspapers rests with the reading public. If certain generations have never had the experience of reading a newspaper, what will bring them to pick up a newspaper, much less subscribe? Like other literacy, much of it comes from seeing others reading and being engaged in reading by others. So, if you’re in a position to have a newspaper and you have young people in your home, consider making time to read sections of the newspaper together. Comics or a puzzle may be a starting point for some children. The many stories about local, state and national sports will be of interest to others. Weekly there are crime and health inspection of restaurant reports; what could pique the interest of children of a certain age more than the health code violations of a restaurant or school? Cut out a 4-H picture and hang it on the frig. Let the child skim the paper first and tell you if anything interesting is going on in your community, or if there is a yard sale which might be fun to visit.

The newspaper has an important community role; it provides stories about local sports and school functions, births and deaths, and by reporting on local and state politics, performs the critical function of holding appointed and elected officials accountable.

This Saturday, Sept. 7 marks the beginning of the last month of the 2019 Fayette County Farmers Market season, and you may be reading about in your community paper! At this Saturday’s market in downtown Washington C.H., to celebrate the start of the college football season, the market’s shortest shoppers will make a Buckeye zipper-pull charm with a real Buckeye nut at the kids’ activity table in the information booth tent. Each child that makes a charm will also receive a handout about the Buckeye tree.

And Anytime Fitness will join the market this week as our Community Guest. Located at 240 Washington Square in Washington Court House, Anytime Fitness is a fully-equipped gym that offers its members 24/7 access, a no-pressure fitness consultation, and global access to more than 4,600 gyms. Stop by the Community Guest tent this week to enter a raffle and learn more about Anytime Fitness and how they may be able to help you meet your fitness goals.

The following list contains the names and products of the vendors that expect to set up this Saturday. Other vendors may participate as well.

Donaldson Workshop (Roger Donaldson): Wooden spoons, cutting boards, wooden sandwich trays, and walnut spatulas.

Enchanting Acres (Amber Harris): okra, tomatoes, mild and spicy garlic.

Engedi (Beth Day, Alana Walters, Janet Bick): Assorted home baked goods (cinnamon rolls, bread, yeast rolls, cookies, pies), as well as a children’s activity.

Featherstone Apothecary (Sylvia Call): natural soaps, skincare items, beeswax food wraps, and dog items.

Gerhardts (Kevin Gerhardt): Super sweet white corn, Crenshaw melons, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelons.

Greens & Greenery (Katrina Bush): Beeswax hand creams and lip balms with essential oils (new scents available) and natural insect repellent. Seasonal produce grown with organic practices– yellow onions, leeks, kale, swiss chard, tomatillos, cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers, sweet potatoes. Sacred (holy) basil (tea). Dried catnip. Buckeye candies, peanut butter & chocolate fudge.

Jones Farm Fresh Produce (Jon & Taylor Jones): Apples (Honey Crisp, McIntosh, Gala), garlic, green beans, squash, cucumbers, red and gold potatoes, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, chicken (patties, chicken breast, wings, cheddar chicken bratwurst and chorizo links, ground chicken), beef (ground and patties), pork (sausage patties, bulk sausage, pork chops, sweet Italian links, maple links), and turkey (ground, drums and wings).

King Farms (Jeff & Sandi King): bi-color and white sweet corn, honey dew, Crenshaw and watermelons, (green beans?), cucumbers, vine ripe tomatoes, orange and red cherry tomatoes, yellow squash, green and yellow zucchini.

Margaret’s Memories (Sharon Fulkerson): Dryer balls, hand made socks, mittens, baby hats, sweaters, booties, market bags, old vintage quilt.

Persinger Produce & Cottage Foods (David Persinger and Julie Mosny): The Jam Man will have assorted jams & jellies including seedless blackberry, a spiced tomato jam, elderberry jelly, pineapple habanero, and peach habanero, assorted Texas sheet cakes.

Rose Family Farms (Andy and Betty Rose): variety of cheese breads, quick breads, deserts, hard candies, gummy candies, small craft ornaments.

Wood Designed by DW (Debbie Welch): Handmade, unusual wood crafts. Hand made crocheted dishtowels, clothes, potholders, pocket books and baby booties. Special orders welcome. Cookies, fudge.

Bridge View Garden (Hunter & Lorelle Rohrer): Mums and seasonal produce including red raspberries, cherry tomatoes, green beans and red potatoes.

B.Y.E Gardens (Brian and Elaine Yoder): seasonal veggies including tomatoes, zucchini, candy onions, cucumbers and baked goods including cinnamon rolls, sweet breads (strawberry, zucchini, banana, banana nut, pumpkin, white chocolate pumpkin), small pies (pecan, cherry, raisin, apple), cookies (peanut butter, butterscotch, white chocolate-macadamia nut) and local honey.

By Thy Hand (Mark and Lori Chrisman): Angel food cakes, specialty breads, pies, cookies, dip mixes, noodles.

Chilcote Farm (Bruce & Marlene Chilcote): Honey, hickory nut cakes, chocolate and brown sugar sheet cake, chocolate chip, sugar, peanut butter and oatmeal raisin cookies, and blueberry and plain donuts.

Cozy Baby Blessings (Nancy Cutter): Handmade baby essentials including, crocheted baby blankets, hats and booties. Flannel receiving blankets, burp cloths, bibs and bunny ear teething rings, as well as pink ribbon heart wreaths and crocheted pot scrubbers.