By Daniel McGonigle
Argus Managing Editor
I never do it...make New Year's Resolutions I mean.

Oh sure, its the trendy thing to do and Lord knows I could lose some weight, be kinder to others, and write that script I've been meaning to get to.

I've just never figured the turn of a calendar means that it is time to now implement those things.

Indeed I do need to work on that script that has been sitting half-finished in my lap-top.

Each day I make an effort to be kinder to others, and some days it works out great, and others it doesn't go too well.

I've been trying to watch what I eat, and of course, my biggest issue, take more time to exercise, and that should be an each day thing, but never seems to work out. There is always something else that needs to get done first.

So my resolution is a simple one, try to do better at the things I know need improving in my life.

Circumstances being what they are currently, there are many things that I need to "take care of" in the coming year. Mine is a life in transition and things could go so many directions for me.

I'll keep you posted on how it goes, once I know how well I am doing.

This being the traditional time of the year for change, however, you will notice some changes taking place within the newspaper.

In early February we will be introducing a new "mast head," which will be the first thing readers will notice.

We've also already been trying to do more things with our color pages. I've brought an outside perspective to the overall look of the paper and together with some very creative people, we're coming up with different layouts and overall appearances for The Argus.

As noted in the Dec. 19 edition, we'll be running a historic photo each week as part of the state's 150th celebration. We also plan to bring back a "Turn back the clock" section to the paper and will look back in paragraph form what might have been happening five, 10, 25 and 50 years ago in the Caledonia area.

Throughout the year you may notice some special sections that I was used to doing in Granite Falls or Cottonwood that might not be being done here.

All of this means a little extra work from each of us here at The Argus, but we hope the readers will appreciate the changes.

If you have any suggestions for things you'd like to see in the newspaper, contact me at daniel.mcgonigle@ecm-inc.com.

Website transformation as well

We in the newspaper business know better than most the effect the internet is having on our business.

Initially the "experts" predicted it would be the demise of this medium. Well, I am here to tell you that small town newspapers, like The Argus, are doing just fine.

Thanks to the support of local merchants and readers, communities like Caledonia will enjoy traditional newspapers for many years to come.

That being said, we too have a website (www.hometownargus.com) and we too are trying to understand how best to make the on-line product fit in with the traditional product.

In January, like the print product to follow, you'll see many changes to our website.

Hometownargus.com will be a source for up to the minute information and photos about things going on in the area. The nice thing about the internet is we aren't bound by a printing schedule or deadline.

When breaking news happens, the staff at The Argus will post it on the web even if the newspaper won't be out for another four days.

We hope you'll continue to check the website early and often. And if there's something else you'd like to see us offer, by all means, drop us a line and let us know.

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Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475

E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com