By Ben Kocher PUBLISHER
This is the one article that a newspaper publisher never wants to print. But the time has come to do so. The Upper Dauphin Sentinel will cease publication next week, with the issue of Tuesday, Aug. 31.
When I purchased the newspaper in 1970, I was 24 years old. It’s now 2021, and I am 76. It’s time to take a break. During the past several years, I’ve tried to sell the newspaper. In today’s world, weekly newspapers are not an easy thing to sell.
At this point, I feel I’ve explored every option, and closing is the only one that makes sense.
The Upper Dauphin Sentinel has endeavored to serve our area well for more than 50 years. We’ve covered our communities more thoroughly and consistently than anyone else, not just because it’s our job, but because it’s our home.
We’ve had many people tell us during the past several months that they don’t trust the national media, but they still trust the Sentinel. Thank you for the faith you have placed in us. We’ve only been able to publish these past 50 years, week in and week out, because of the hard work and dedication of some phenominal employees. They have been essential in making this newspaper what it is, and I’m forever grateful. I’d also like to thank our advertisers.
Your support and partnership have enabled us to do what we do. Our other business enterprises that operate out of 510 Union Street, Millersburg, will stay in business. SDPcreative will continue to provide quality design, marketing and printing services to customers near and far. Everday Blessings Gift Shoppe will still offer the inspirational gifts and merchandise you’ve come to expect.
If you have a subscription to the newspaper, here is what you need to know. If your subscription comes due in October or November, please call our office at 717-692-4737 no later than Thursday, Sept. 30 to request a refund. These amounts are fairly small, just $3.33 per month. If your subscription comes due in December through July, you automatically will receive a refund check in the mail. These checks will start going out the beginning of September. August subscribers were not billed, so no reimbursement is needed. If you have any questions, please call us at the number above.
In next week’s issue, we’ll have the normal news coverage you’ve come to expect. We’ll also share more of The Sentinel’s story. We’ve been telling your stories for decades; now we’ll share our own.