Rejoice! The crossword puzzle is here to stay

Trent Knuckles is publisher of The News Journal.

A few years back, we started a games and puzzles page in the News Journal. I liked it. I thought it was a fun page that gave our readers something to do besides read the news.

Printing it was predicated on the idea that we would have advertising sponsors for the page. We did for quite a while. But when enthusiasm for it waned, the page had to be dropped.

Since that decision, I’ve heard variations of this phrase many, many times.

“A newspaper just doesn’t seem like a newspaper without a crossword puzzle.”

I agree.

Several weeks ago, I started adding a crossword puzzle back into the newspaper. Response has been positive. My plan is to keep that in place for the foreseeable future.

One thing I should point out. For those of you who love crossword puzzles, or Sudoku, there are free ones offered every day on our website — www.thenewsjournal.net. They are very nicely formatted, allowing you to fill them out electronically. You can see puzzle solutions immediately as well. Just another great service we offer for our readers.

SOME OTHER STUFF
• Steep tariffs were placed on imported newsprint in January by the Commerce Department. Even though the tariffs were overturned in August, the findings of the U.S. International Trade Commission weren’t published until October.

That means, there’s a lot of newsprint in the pipeline that newspapers, like this one, are STILL paying tariffs on in order to protect one paper mill in Washington. Other countries, like Canada, may have been the targets of this, but it’s impacted community newspapers the most.

• Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out The Nutcracker, performed by The Lexington Ballet and the Gail Frederick School of Dance. There will be two performances, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Corbin Middle School. It’s a Christmas tradition you don’t want to miss.

• Want to get in the Christmas spirit? Donating to a local charity is a great idea. I’m a member of the Corbin Lions Club, and once again this year we will be distributing around 250 food baskets to needy individuals on Christmas Eve. It’s a great program that’s entering its 40th year. But it can’t happen without the generosity of our community. If you feel inspired to help out, donations can be sent to: PO Box 365, Corbin, KY 40702.

• My Christmas shopping situation is in dire straits, as usual. Instead of presents, I say we just all get together for some yuletide pizza, soda and board games. Maybe top it off with a viewing of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or “Miracle on 34th Street.” That sounds nice.