There are some major changes coming to Reminder Publications and I’d like to tell you about them.

No, that Dobbs guy isn’t leaving; sorry to disappoint some of you. At least I don’t think I’m leaving.

For most of this year we have been publishing four monthly magazines that have been mailed to 10,500 readers in Agawam, West Springfield, Chicopee and Springfield. The magazines have been well edited and written by Chris Maza, but they never caught on with advertisers or readers, as it had been anticipated.

It was a noble experiment and it didn’t work. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

We’ve heard the concerns and we have reacted to them. Beginning Nov. 3, there will be a new weekly newspaper that will be distributed to hundreds of locations in Agawam, West Springfield, Chicopee and Springfield. It will be called “The Reminder” as well.

We have two successful monthly publications – Prime, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and Go Local – but our company was built upon community news weeklies.

At the same time we are launching the new weekly, we are expanding circulation, advertising efforts and news coverage into Enfield and Somers, CT, for our Thursday edition. The first issue with that addition will be out Nov. 2.

That’s a lot of changes. Naturally there will be more in improving our website, and more frequent posts on Facebook.

My staff takes pride in their work and we look forward to this opportunity to better serve our readers and our advertisers.

Please let us know what you think about these improvements.

How to reach us

With all of these changes, I’d like to take a moment and remind everyone how you can submit your news ideas and items to Reminder Publications.

The easiest way is by email, at news@thereminder.com or directly to the staff members covering your area. You’ll see their email address under their byline.

You can mail your information as well to 280 N. Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028.

Please give us two weeks notice for your event.

Feel free to make a follow-up phone call to 525-6661 ext. 103.

Please understand that we will not use photos that are out of focus or too dark. We can’t fix out of focus photos through a computer program.

Also please consider advertising your event if it is a fundraiser. We cannot print free notices in the calendar or other parts of the newspaper multiple times.

Bribes are always welcome. A fine cigar, some Tree House beer or a bottle of good bourbon goes a long way to getting coverage. Just kidding. Sort of.

Come celebrate a great guy

I’ve had the privilege of knowing many fine journalists during my career and one of the best is Ray Hershel. Ray is unfailing professional, friendly and fair and I'm glad to help spread the word the Valley Press Club will be honoring him with a Lifetime Achievement Award on Nov. 2.

The event will take place at the Storrowton Village Carriage House on the grounds of the Big E from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

In the past the Press Club has honored Durham Caldwell, Jack O'Neil and Barbara Bernard with this award. It isn't something the organization does often, but in every case the recognition has been richly deserved.

Ray is closing in on being on the air for 50 years. That is a huge achievement and for that alone he deserves accolades. Ray, however, is much more than simply a guy who has racked up time. His reporting is top notch.

Please consider joining me and other members of the Valley Press Club in honoring a great guy. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online by going to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ray-hershel-lifetime-achievement-award-tickets-37915544414#tickets.