Douglas E. Jessmer

Who’d have ever thought I’d be back to writing a column again? I know I wasn’t expecting it. But I have been, and on the advice of a mentor, I’m posting it for your entertainment. Happy holidays! — DEJ

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Give thanks this holiday, and enjoy family time

So this is Christmas. Doesn’t feel like it. After all, there’s no snow, there’s no… wait… WAIT!

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Sorry about that. That was just me, banging my head into the keyboard, trying to snap out of it. I’ve gotta force myself into the holiday unreality.
You’re supposed to give thanks at Thanksgiving, but I’m fashionably late. It’s not unusual for me to be late to the party, but here’s what I’m thankful for, and what I’d like this Christmas.

Continue reading ‘My column for Dec. 21′

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And I get to spend it signing hundreds of Christmas cards I shot the cover for and designed. (That’s me, above, at my desk on a casual Friday afternoon.)

Then once I see some of the mailing labels, I see I’m on the list for a card.

Talk about sending mail to yourself. Either I’m crazy or… well, maybe someone else is.

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The end of an era in southwest Ohio newspapering comes Dec. 31, when after a 30-year joint operating agreement ends and after the Dec. 31 issue is printed, The Cincinnati Post will fold.

The Post was first published in 1881, and in 1885, James E. and Edward Willis Scripps took over the paper. Until the end of 1974, after a couple of other newspapers were absorbed into The Post, it was called The Cincinnati Post and Times-Star.

When The Post entered into the 1977 joint operating agreement with The Cincinnati Enquirer, a Gannett property, The Post was the dominant paper in the region. The tables turned quickly over the three decades since the ink dried on the pact, and several years ago, Gannett told Scripps it would not extend the JOA past its expiration date this month.

Since that time, The Post has slowly winnowed away staff in anticipation of the final edition. It must’ve seemed like a funeral march to walk into the newsroom every day, knowing the end was coming.

While Scripps continues to call the Queen City home, the light Cincinnati readers used to “find their own way” will have dimmed for good. Best wishes to those fellow journos who will turn the newsroom lights off one last time.

Circulation numbers
A snapshot look at circulation figures for The Post and Enquirer:
Post Enquirer
Year Mon.-Fri. *Mon.-Sat. Sunday
2006 28,549 197,962 288,030
1996 76,640 205,233 346,279
1986 117,216 188,927 312,558
1976 198,694 188,092 283,455

* Though higher than weekday sales, Saturday Weekender edition sales were not broken out for the entire period.
Source: Editor & Publisher International Yearbook

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