As winter settled in, I took the time to reflect, to create, and to truly think about the future of The Hooksett Bridge. It was a season of deep contemplation, sitting with myself and asking the difficult but necessary questions: How does this newspaper move forward? Should it continue in print, transition solely to digital, maintain both formats, or was it time to close up shop altogether?
I share this with you because I value open, honest, and transparent communication—in both business and personal life. The Hooksett Bridge is more than just a newspaper to me; it is an extension of my family, and I genuinely care about what you, my readers, want. Your feedback is invaluable in helping me determine the best direction for this publication.
Previously, I announced that the last issue would be the final print edition unless enough readers were willing to contribute to mailing costs. The response to this experiment was eye-opening: only five people sent in checks for the annual $14 mailing fee. While I recognize that multiple factors could have influenced this low response rate, it was a clear indicator that demand for a print version was minimal. That said, if you strongly prefer a print edition, I want to hear from you! Please email me at publisher@thehooksettbridge.org to share your thoughts on the paper, what you like, what could be improved, and whether you prefer print or digital news.
While I do believe print has value, digital media remains the most cost-effective and accessible medium. To enhance our digital presence, I have partnered with Creative Circle Media Solutions, a Rhode Island-based company specializing in newspaper websites. Over the past two months, they have worked with me to build a brand-new website for The Hooksett Bridge – a modern, sleek platform where you can find everything in one place.
This expansion allows us to provide even greater value to the small businesses that already advertise with us, and we are eager to welcome new businesses looking to reach the Hooksett community.
Another major change with this issue is that The Hooksett Bridge will now be exclusively dedicated to Hooksett news. The Suncook section, which previously covered Pembroke and Allenstown, will no longer be included in the print edition. Instead, Pembroke and Allenstown now have their own independent news source: The Suncook Times. This new publication is launching as a digital-only newspaper, with the potential to move to print if demand supports it. If you want to see a print version of The Suncook Times, please support it by advertising online so we can grow the publication and eventually bring it to print.
You can visit www.thehooksettbridge.com to explore our new website. At the top of the page, you will find a direct link to The Suncook Times, where you can access news for Pembroke and Allenstown.
Looking ahead, 2025 will be a year of planting roots in our communities and solidifying our place as the trusted local news source for Hooksett and beyond. We remain the only news company dedicated exclusively to serving Hooksett and we are committed to delivering news, events, real estate updates, and business insights to keep our community informed and connected.
Thank you for your continued support and for being a part of this journey. I look forward to hearing from you and working together to shape the future of our local news.
