Editor’s Notes

“Thank you for smiles and good moments …”

Photo: Ulf Reinhall
FROM MY HOME TO YOUR HOME: Editor-in-chief Lori Ann Reinhall wishes you a happy holiday season.

Dear readers and friends,

As I write to you today, I am thinking that by the this issue gets to you, many of you will be making preparations for your annual Thanksgiving festivities with your friends and family. 

The holidays are always a special time of the year—albeit with challenges, too—but I believe that this year, coming together with the people you love carries more significance than ever. After 20 months of pandemic lockdowns and restrictions, we have to reflect on all that we are grateful for.

As the editor of this newspaper, I am very grateful for everyone who contributes to this paper. We, like all publications, have had much to weather through, but the dedication of our staff and contributors and the support we received from subscribers and donors, we have been able to make our newspaper not only survive but thrive. 

We recently passed a new milestone in our subscriber numbers, with a 20% increase above where we were two years ago, and our new partnership with Norway House, the National Norwegian Center in Minneapolis, is opening up many new doors for us. I can only remain optimistic about the future.

That said, it is not only good numbers that put a smile on my face: it’s the little things in life that count, too. It’s the little notes and emails I receive when readers have enjoyed a story, the sharing of memories, and new ideas coming our way that make for good moments. We keep a file of your comments and notes, because we treasure them and want to make sure that we can bring you a newspaper that you will value.

Sometimes, you may not hear back from us right away, and I thank you for understanding and patience. During the pandemic, we have been working on a fully remote basis, and we operate our business with a very small staff. Getting the paper out to you is always our first order of business, and we try to prioritize the many tasks we have as best we can.

A few words about giving

With this issue, we are bringing you our annual gift guide in a slightly different format, offering fewer items selected from the many that have supported us as partners throughout the year. It has not been our intention to leave anyone out, as we have selected items in  different price categories, trying to find something for everyone. Our new “Julemarked” also includes new feature content that we think you will enjoy.

Over the decades, we all have seen Christmas become more commercialized, but I ask you to think about giving gifts in a positive way. Studies show that people who give of themselves feel better, something I can related to. As I’ve grown older, I find I get more joy out of sending money to organizations that I believe in than spending it on myself. I love supporting young people who are building up their lives and careers and have become a real believer the old adage that “it is better to give than receive.”

Sharing with The Norwegian American

One thing I love about our newspaper is that it brings so many people together, across the continent and across oceans: it’s a way to expand your horizons. That is why we think a subscription to our newspaper makes a perfect holiday gift! 

And this year again, we are asking you to support us by purchasing a holiday greeting to appear in our Dec. 17  issue. It’s an important source of revenue and a  wonderful way to tell your community that you care.

Finally, we are making our end-of-the-year appeal to keep this paper going and growing. We want to thank all of you who have already contributed with your  tax-deductible contribution. We promise to put it to good use, as we continue to bring you North America’s oldest and only Norwegian newspaper.

Wishing  you a joyous holiday,

Lori Ann Reinhall, editor-in-chief

This article originally appeared in the Nov. 19, 2021, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.