The Call and the internet age

Rapidly changing times have prompted The North Woods Call staff to rethink the old business model.

As we all know, these are difficult times for newspapers and increasing numbers of people prefer to receive their news and information online.

We are considering what it would look like if we move the Call online exclusively.

It would be helpful to hear from past and potential subscribers as we consider this option.

Please visit www.mynorthwoodscall.com and fill out the 2012 Readership Survey.  Your responses will help us plan for the future.

Thanks!

The season's first snowfall

We weren't quite ready for last night's first snowfall (there are still leaves to collect), but the pristine beauty of it all was undeniable.

Here the wet, heavy frosting clings briefly to bare maple branches before giving way to warmer temperatures later in the morning.

There is still much organizational work to do before The North Woods Call is ready to be re-launched, but each new day brings us closer to that goal.

Since publishing the website a few days ago, we have begun collecting editorial material for the print edition.

Can a press run be far behind?

Please visit our new website

At long last, The North Woods Call has published its new website. Check it out at mynorthwoodscall.com.

The site features several pages of information about The North Woods Call community.  We encourage you to become part of our network.

One good way to begin is to fill out the 2011 Readership Survey. Your preferences and ideas are important to us, and will help shape The Call's future direction.

Among other things, you can tell us whether you prefer to receive the publication online or in print. In this age of changing newspaper economics, this is an important question to ponder.

Thanks for your continued interest.

In search of Marguerite

The new Call gang has been roaming the north woods for the past week, gathering information, taking photographs and generally enjoying upper Michigan's beautiful fall weather.

In addition to exploring several natural locations throughout the northern lower peninsula, we learned more about Marguerite Mary Gahagan, founder and first editor of The North Woods Call (1953-1969).  Early in the week, we met with Tom Dale, education director at the Marguerite Gahagan Nature Preserve in Roscommon.

The Call's home from 1959 to 1969

Mr. Dale showed us around Marguerite's former cabin home, discussed research for a book he is helping to write about Ms. Gahagan and directed us to the rural Montmorency County cemetery where she was laid to rest in 1997.  He also told us how to find the Douglas Lake property between Lovells and Johannesburg where the newspaper was written and published until Marguerite moved the operation to Roscommon in 1959.

We will share more information about Marguerite and the Gahagan Nature Preserve in an upcoming issue of The North Woods Call.

Watch for our official re-launch date, which will be determined in the coming weeks -- as soon as we tend to a few more organizational chores and unveil our new website -- mynorthwoodscall.com.

The North Woods Call returns

The North Woods Call, which has been out-of-publication since January 2011, will return this fall.  The newspaper is being resurrected by a new owner, following the untimely death of longtime publisher Glen Sheppard. Please check in here for additional information in the coming weeks and learn how you can become part of The North Woods Call community.