packages local information in unique publication The Westside News Inc. carriers bring a valuable resource to homes this weekend -- the Hometown Business Directory is included with this week’s edition of Suburban News and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald. Published by Westside News Inc. which also publishes these weekly newspapers, the Hometown Business Directory has grown in its scope since its inception six years ago. "We aim to provide community information in an easy-to-use format," said Westside News Inc. President Keith Ryan. "That means we can package a lot of localized information specific to our readership into a manageable booklet and make it useful to the consumer and the advertiser at the same time." The directory parallels the grassroots focus for which the community newspapers are known. "Every week of the year we bring our readers advertising and news coverage of the highest quality prepared by a staff of people who care about their communities and their neighbors," Ryan said. "The Hometown Business Directory is held to the same standards for quality and usefulness." "We’re ecstatic about the response this year," Ryan said. "We broke all records for sales, which isn’t easy when it’s considered that the price has never increased in six years of publishing the Directory." As readers review the 2002 Directory, Ryan said they should note the maps of area communities. "That’s just one way this publication is very ‘neighborly,’ ’’ he said. "When you’re searching for a street or location of a business in another community -- or your own, for that matter -- look it up in the Hometown Business Directory in our maps section -- business name, address, phone number, location -- a complete user friendly package." Who needs a directory like this one? Westside News Advertising Representative Mary Lou Rockow said, "Everybody does! Here in a simple-to-use booklet you can find local businesses and service providers for whatever need you have -- from roofers to plumbers, senior care facilities, restaurants and pizza shops, to lawn and landscape specialists." During the last several months, the Westside News Inc. Graphic Arts Department has worked on ad design and page layout. "The efforts of the entire production department have once again created a great looking Directory, one that reflects the team’s creativity and attention to detail," Ryan said. "I commend each and every one of these people for accomplishing the tasks of compiling all this information into an efficient resource." The members of the production staff are Karen Fien, Carol Schwartz, Joanne Michielsen, David Burke, Donna Stultz and Linda Michielsen. Ryan also applauds the efforts of his advertising representatives: Mary Lou Rockow, Barbara Burke, Debbie Day, Jan Miller, Dave Lavery and JoAnn Chinappi. "They begin contacting businesses in January and work with them to tailor their advertising message in the Hometown Business Directory," Ryan said. "We save local businesses thousands of dollars by publishing this book," he said. "And we provide it free, just like our newspapers are free." Not only does the book serve as a base for information, it could also bring some lucky user a wonderful surprise. Each year, Westside News Inc. sponsors an Escape Contest to help familiarize local residents with the many businesses which use the directory for promotion purposes. The winner of the contest next April will be receiving a three-day package in beautiful Las Vegas including air, hotel, all taxes and transfers. This package is being supplied to Westside News Inc. by All Seasons Travel and Cruise Center in Brockport. The winner of the 2001 Directory Escape Contest (announced inside this week on page 2) receives air travel for two anywhere in the Continental United States. The prize for this year was again supplied by Nancy Smith of Travel Designs. There are also monthly prizes redeemable at businesses which advertise in the directory for those who play the Directory Escape game as well. Look for details inside each issue of Suburban News and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald. (From this week on, use the new 2002 Hometown Business Directory for answers to the questions.) |
