Among the growing list of Moonshine Members (right) are many who at one point manned a desk at our world headquarters. Some have moved on from this region, but their membership indicates a lasting dedication to our community and to the cause of local news. Huge thank you to each of you!
Molly Wilcox, a former Moonshiner who in June headed to NYU for journalism graduate school, shared with the Ink crew a story she was assigned to read before her classes started, The Last Reporter in Town Had One Big Question for His Rich Boss. The subhead reads: “His newspaper has withered under a hedge fund. His industry was in turmoil even before a pandemic. But Evan Brandt won’t stop chronicling his town.”
I fell in love with Brandt’s term “grilled his onions” to mean something that rankled him, and delighted in reading about his brazen way of asking the ‘one big question,’ but what had me in tears was how his story encapsulated so fervently the reason we do what we do at Moonshine and the hardships we face in today’s world. A telling quote:
“I think of it as a calling, the same way that some people are called to the priesthood,” he said.
As if detecting hubris in his words, Mr. Brandt quickly added, “I can do this and question authority and get paid for it — or I can be in jail.”
Back at home, Moonshine isn’t owned by a hedge fund, but we experience the same industry pressures. In answer, our memberships keep trickling in and with each one, we are encouraged and grateful. Below are the numbers of where we stand right now. As you can see, we’re getting traction, but we sure would like to pick up speed.
So, please take stock of your feelings about the value of Moonshine Ink and your ability and willingness to contribute to save and support it for our community. To put it in perspective, for the price of one nice dinner out on town, you can be a Moonshine Ink Sustainer.
Your support helps protect our independence and ability to keep expanding our coverage. Every contribution, however big or small, keeps our community chronicles alive.
Moonshine Ink Members (full list here)
Our dear readers are saving and supporting Moonshine Ink with memberships. With reader support, we will continue to cover the trials, triumphs, and tragedies of our region. That’s our promise to you.
Become a member today at moonshineink.com/members
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