Do Tell!

The Lay of the Land

By Lyn Messersmith

2/10/2016

Do Tell!

            I don’t know which irritates me more—the continual news cycle on television that simply repeats canned stories over all day with occasional interviews from talking heads, or the radio station in a nearby town that gives virtually no news, other than a one minute blurb with instructions to go to the internet for further information. I haven’t time or inclination to sit and scroll for news, but those who do say that what’s on the web is basically a repeat of the on air minute. That station is not locally owned, and obviously keeps only a skeleton staff. I guess that’s what happens when we outsource jobs.

            Has anyone else noticed that we are regressing where marketing is concerned? Surely it’s not coincidental that trade deals, factories moving overseas, internet shopping, and big business mergers have increased as our choices have decreased. Drive by any new car lot and note how few colors are available; look in a Wal-Mart parking lot and count the number of white, black and tan vehicles in comparison to other colors. Henry Ford advertised his Model T this way. “You can have any color you want, as long as it’s black.” 

A chain grocery in a mid-sized Panhandle town has stopped offering certain brands, which sold well locally, because their supplier now only ships those products in quantities which are prohibitively large for the rural population base. The daily newspaper in that town, under corporate ownership, has become simply a condensed version of big city papers, and contains little news relevant to the community.  

            Radio is the ideal medium for communication because it’s portable and adaptable to multi-tasking. You can listen in the shop, bathtub, car or tractor, while doing dishes or laundry, cooking or gardening. It fits into personal routines and even brings families together. How many rural people used to listen to news, weather and markets during breakfast or at noon dinner? In my growing up years, no one dared breathe loudly while Paul Harvey was on, and lively discussions often ensued after the broadcast. I’ve made a few purchases because of swap shop programs, and gained knowledge from listening to interviews with candidates for county office, or citizens planning fund raisers or celebrations.

            Radio fills a gap for people who don’t have a computer or smart phone, or get the hometown paper. They can still be informed about upcoming farm sales and the weekly specials down on Main, hear when the school board meeting is, what time the ball game starts and who has filed for what political office.

Privately owned radio stations, newspapers, and bookstores may soon be obsolete, but we’re fortunate to still have them available out here in the boonies. We have access to home grown newspapers, an independent bookstore that’s touted all across the state, and radio stations that do a good job of keeping listeners informed regarding current events and weather bulletins. Say thanks to the people that have hung in there and provided these services, and support them every chance you get. They are the core of our communities. That old saying, “Use it or lose it,” is true. We’ve already let too much slip away.