Editor's Notebook: Why is your local newspaper important to you?

At the end of October, Shaw Media will publish a special section celebrating the Kane County Chronicle’s 135-year anniversary.

I’ve assigned stories and photos to our news team, but I’m also counting on our readers to help make the section shine.

It’s always great to hear from readers about the paper – what they like about it overall, a particular story they found interesting or a suggestion for a future story.

Of course, readers don’t just comment on the paper these days. They also provide feedback on the content posted to our website and social media handles.

In addition, they comment on events we host throughout the year, such as the Kane County Chronicle Best of the Fox Readers’ Choice Awards contest.

So, what do you like about the Kane County Chronicle operation, which now includes the Elburn Herald and Sugar Grove Herald? Why is your local newspaper important to you?

Maybe you subscribe to the paper because you like to read about local government. Maybe you pick up the paper during prep football season to read about your old high school team.

Perhaps you love the comics or the advice columns or the TV listings. Maybe you enjoy the advertising promoting local businesses. Or our entertainment content, listing fun events that you and your family can attend.

Whatever it is, we want to hear from you!

We’re looking for reader feedback and memories about the paper for our 135-year anniversary section. The feedback can be just a few sentences to a few hundred words long.

In addition, we’d love to include photos of readers with the newspaper.

Comments and photos can be emailed to me at kbalcazar@shawmedia.com or snail mailed to me at 333 N. Randall Road, Suite 1, St. Charles, IL 60174.

Please include your first and last name and town of residence.

All submissions will be considered for the special section. So take a minute and think about what your local paper means to you.

Thanks for reading the paper.

Kathy Balcazar is weekly group editor for the Kane County Chronicle, Elburn Herald, Sugar Grove Herald and Suburban Life Media, and is a member of the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association Board. Contact her at kbalcazar@shawmedia.com or 630-845-5368. Learn more about NINA at ninaonline.org.