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Several years ago, I became frustrated when our local weekly wouldn't report on issues and events important to Lowndes County people, so I began my own newsletter. I get suggestions from all over Lowndes County regarding potential stories and information.
Periodically, I write Esther's Trumpet, print it and distribute it to 13 Mom and Pop stores in Lowndes County. Circulation puts 600 miles per month on my vehicle, and the printing and paper costs are around $300.00 I get out about 3,000 hard copies per month. I pay for everything myself, but for the last few years I have been soliciting donations from the community. I really need the help, but to remain independent we are not a 501(c)(3), so donations are not tax deductible.
One of my goals is to promote literacy in our small low income county of 13,000. Because I write about what is important to the average person, I am thrilled to report that Esther's Trumpet flies out of these little stores. I invite articles from the community and encourage our local school system to arrange for high school students to become interns for Esther's Trumpet. Our plan is that to report on local city council meetings and then write about those meetings. We believe that this will help their writing skills and encourage them to be involved.
If you are at all familiar with Lowndes County, you know that it is the county between Selma and Montgomery, the scene of 45 of the 54 mile 1965 Voting Rights March. Although the Civil Rights Struggle is legend here, this community has remained low income and many people do not even graduate from high school. Currently the unemployment rate is about 7%, and most of our children live in poverty.
We will be enlarging this web site to bring you more information about beautiful Lowndes County, Alabama. Please email me or the Webmaster any suggestions you may have for further development.
Barbara Evans
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