Preparation is key to success

Gary Castor, managing editor of the Jefferson City News Tribune
Gary Castor, managing editor of the Jefferson City News Tribune

Winter is coming.

For "Game of Thrones" fans, the three words serve as a warning and call for constant vigilance. Being the lords of the north, the House of Stark strove to always be prepared for the coming of winter, which would hit their lands the hardest and present treacherous dangers to the clan.

Their call to arms: Winter is coming.

In the HBO medieval fantasy television series, the words brought a sense of foreboding that you should always be careful, keeping loved ones close and being ready for the worst.

In Mid-Missouri, the three words are much less dramatic but also deserving of an attitude of preparedness. The phrase "winter is coming" conjures up visions of sometimes impassable roads and bitterly cold temperatures. Frankly, those conditions can wreak havoc on the daily delivery of your newspaper in a normal year.

But this year is far from normal, as we all know.

In a year when staffing shortages and supply chain issues are plaguing us all, the prospect of a harsh winter can be overwhelming.

We've reported previously how road crews for the Missouri Department of Transportation, as well as Cole County and Jefferson City, may face more challenges than normal when it comes to opening up our snow-packed or ice-covered roads. Those challenges have included materials, as well as manpower.

They are challenges we all know too well this year.

All small businesses, the News Tribune included, have been facing challenges of finding employees to fill vacancies. We too are facing potential supply chain issues that may affect your paper this winter. From the availability of newsprint and the poly bags that protect your paper from the elements, we are being told some commodities could become scarce.

All this to say, morning delivery of your paper may be as slippery and treacherous as your ice-covered driveway this winter.

But, heeding the advice of the Starks, there are things we all can do to prepare.

Here in the newsroom, we'll be trying to adjust our deadlines so we can get the paper in the hands of carriers earlier in the morning, in hopes they can get the papers delivered before roads become impassable or give them more time to traverse the roads.

As a subscriber, stocking up on ice melt, locating the snow shovel and layering for the sub-zero temperatures are always a good first defense for finding that day's News Tribune nestled under a blanket of snow. But I'm suggesting a better solution may be finding a way to have your News Tribune delivered inside your toasty home through a digital subscription.

Activating your digital subscription will allow you access to the News Tribune from your desktop computer, tablet or smartphone. This free service for seven-day subscribers ensures delivery of the news isn't impacted by the road conditions or other weather variables, and it gives you access to even more content than exists in the printed paper that is normally thrown on your driveway or inserted in your mailbox. That extra content includes photo galleries and videos that can't be viewed in a printed paper, as well as extra pages such as our Online Extra opinion pages and interactive puzzle pages.

As I share these thoughts, I realize access to a computer or tablet, or internet access, may be an issue for you. But most of us are tethered to a smartphone, which will provide you that same access to the digital version of the News Tribune through the News Tribune app?

With a simple download of that day's edition, you can read the paper cover to cover and then some on your smartphone or other digital device.

Because you are a valuable reader to us, we would be happy to help you set up your digital account and show you how to access it on your phone, computer or digital device. The complimentary service can be provided at our offices, 210 Monroe St., or at your home if you wish to schedule an appointment by calling (573) 636-3132 or sending an email to [email protected].

I understand many of our readers know they have access to a digital subscription but prefer to hold that paper in their hands in the morning. I respect that and so appreciate our relationship with you.

But I'm just suggesting that free activation of your digital account may be easier than you think and might come in handy this winter.

As always, I welcome your feedback and suggestions. You can email me at [email protected] or call 573 761-0255.

New members join Reader Advisory Board

You may have noticed at the bottom of the opinion page that we have recently added some new members to our Reader Advisory Board.

The goal of the Reader Advisory Board - and the News Tribune in general - is to expand the voices and diversity in discussions about issues facing the community. Members of the board do that by discussing issues facing the community during monthly luncheon meetings where members are encouraged to bring topics for discussion.

The new board convened in November. In the coming weeks and months, we anticipate the subjects we discuss in those monthly meetings will be the subjects of opinions expressed on these opinion pages or potentially the inspiration for stories on our news pages.

Those on the board serve one-year terms. In March, we'll be looking for new members on the board. At that time, we'll be asking for volunteers who would like to serve on the next board that will convene in April.

Gary Castor is the managing editor of the Jefferson City News Tribune. His email address is [email protected].