By Melissa Yerkov
Wire Executive Editor
What a long, strange trip it’s been.
As of Aug. 1, the Midweek Wire is one year old. And as I reflect on the past twelve months, I’m very proud of what the paper has grown into throughout its short lifespan.
The Midweek Wire replaced the Trend Midweek, a popular shopper that circulated throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties for decades. Last year, the decision was made to transform this publication into a community newspaper, with a goal of providing readers with high-quality local news. After months of planning and creating a new name, logo and design, the Midweek Wire was born.
And now here we are. It’s been a year of growing pains, exciting developments and, I hope, quality news and feature articles. I am particularly proud of the reputation the Midweek Wire has established in such a short amount of time. I think we’ve evolved past “The Midweek what?” to “Oh yes, the Wire,” and now — judging from reader feedback — we have become a household name in the local community.
We have reported the stories that are important to you, our readers, across a variety of subjects and interests. From Holland resident Justin Pugh being drafted in the first round by the New York Giants, to the lesser-known sport of pickleball, to Doylestown youngster Caroline Pla helping reverse the Catholic Youth Organization’s football rules forbidding girls to play, the Wire was there.
Behind the scenes, we’ve successfully published the Wire despite a hurricane and an office fire during its first year of existence. I vividly remember sitting in our production room with the lights flickering, trying to send pages as Hurricane Sandy was upon us. And weeks after the Superstorm, I drove throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties, interviewing residents who were recovering from the destruction left in its wake.
Less than one month later, a fire torched the Midweek Wire offices, destroying the editorial department and many of the resources needed to publish this paper. And yet, I am proud that as a newsroom, we relocated to a temporary office in Cherry Hill, N.J., and despite the long distance, continued to report on local news in Bucks and Montgomery counties without missing a deadline.
When this paper launched, we wanted it to become a community resource, where residents could find news, announcements, opinion pieces, things to do this weekend and everything in between. I think we have accomplished that goal. The paper is young, and still evolving. We look forward to continuing to serve our readers and hope that you look forward to seeing the Midweek Wire in your mailbox each week.
