A pretty wild week (for rural Indiana)
We presented at a conference in French Lick; interviewed by Dropbox on Zoom; filmed birders in wetlands; car towed in Spencer.
Hi friends:
I have progress to report on the Spencer Pride doc-in-progress:
We presented at the Rural Conference
Creative partner Charles Pearce and I presented a new video sample at the Center for Rural Engagement Conference in historic French Lick, IN. The “Js” —Spencer Pride co-founders Judi, Jacob, and Jonathan — joined us on the panel, which made it extra special. The video was well-received and the discussion was great.
We have lots of work ahead (some more filming, fundraising, final editing), but this was affirming. Like the subjects themselves.
It was also energizing to meet and mingle with new people. Bloomington is a university town that empties out in the summer. It can feel pretty isolating, honestly. Writing this newsletter and knowing you are reading helps me feel more connected to the world!
Update on the Crowdfunding Campaign
We are up to 75 backers who have donated $7,671. The Campaign continues. We are also starting to reach out to potential major funders and partners (companies, foundations, university funds, et. al). Long-term, we’ll need that.
For now, your support keeps us going! Would you consider a modest donation and join our team of backers? Thank you!
Followed the Rainbow Birders to the wetlands
Rainbow Birders is one of Spencer Pride’s newer programs — and it is soaring. Every month, the group embarks on Saturday morning expeditions to beautiful nature sites in the surrounding area. Free and open to everyone.
Charles and I accompanied the group last Saturday to Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve. We did some filming for the documentary and saw dozens of bird species (scene stealer: the Barred Owl). Here’s the next excursion.
My car died in Spencer (hoping it will revive, like the town)
That’s the historic Owen County Courthouse, built in 2011. The car getting towed is mine. Built in 2003, nearly as historic. The car conked out as I pulled into the square.
I had driven to Spencer (16 miles from Bloomington), planning to film the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Owen News, the first non-profit newspaper in Indiana.
I missed the ribbon cutting. But I knew where to wait for the tow truck: at the Spencer Pride CommUnity Center. I gossiped with volunteers, drank coffee, and ate home-baked cookies.
If you’re going to get stranded in Spencer, this is the place.
Even better, Owen News team members dropped by for a photo, and I got to interview the Board President (below).
Meet Nicole DeCriscio
Nicole is a journalist and Board President of the Owen News (pictured holding the paper).
(Mitch) I can’t believe it, I’m holding a print newspaper! It’s been a while. When did you launch, and how did you pull this off?
(Nicole) The paper launched the first week of April 2024, just before the solar eclipse. But the non-profit started two years earlier. It was spurred by Marce [King] from the Chamber of Commerce. She asked me how much this might cost. And I was like, I don't really know. So I started doing some research, and realized we could get grants and donations as a nonprofit. I pulled together a rough draft of a business plan.
What did you do with the business plan?
I showed it to Marce. She said, “I think there could be funding for this,” and introduced me to Janet Rummel at the Community Foundation. We applied for — and got — a planning grant from the Foundation. Janet then secured a matching grant from the Knight Foundation.
Congratulations!
Thanks. Everyone wants to congratulate me, but it's been a whole collaborative effort. The Chamber, the Foundation, the businesses, the volunteer board members…
I love that. That’s one of the messages of this Spencer Pride story. They say the same thing. They can’t do it alone. It takes a village.
Jonathan and Jacob at Spencer Pride were the first to sign on as a pick-up location. At the end of the day, it's about inclusive community. That’s what Spencer Pride is. It’s not just a space for the LGBTQ+ community, it’s a community center for everyone.
That’s amazing. So why is it important to have a locally-owned newspaper?
How much time do you have? I could talk about this for hours!
I think I’ve got about 20 minutes before the tow truck arrives. So I guess the lede version!
As a nonprofit, we’re forever owned by the board and the community. It’s the community's newspaper. It's not going to be owned by an investor group that then decides they want out of the business and will sell it.
You've published two issues so far. What was the reaction?
Incredibly positive. I think everyone is so excited to have local news back.
I know I am! Thank you for this interview. Speaking of collaboration: are you heading back to Bloomington? I could use a ride….
Absolutely!
I hope you have a restful holiday weekend. I am going to try to take a little time off myself and try not to check my email or the crowdfunding page every hour!
Thank you for reading. - Mitch
Awesome newsletter Mitch! Keep up the great work.