But let’s start this column with what’s most important. The fact that every week for the past 52 weeks, you’ve had a copy of The Business Times available to pick up and read. And folks, that was goal Numero Uno back on Jan. 8, 2025.

One could say, “Mission Accomplished.” To me, it’s more like a darned good first step.

Since you’re reading my column once again, I’ll assume you’ve read about the story behind The Business Times finally making the switch from a seriously successful twice-a-month publication into a growing, more popular, weekly. You already know this decision didn’t come easily or quickly as I’d been thinking about it for several years when only two things stood in the way: The need to do it and the money to do it if the need ever occurred.

And for those five years, there really was no need to do it. The Business Times was basically turnkey in its twice-a-month schedule, and I couldn’t have had life any better. So maybe there was a third thing in the way: My lack of desire to put in the effort. Contrasting that lack was my desire to get more into community news, particularly when it came to shining a light on my favorite target to put into stories, also known as government. Not in the sense that it always needs to be blamed (although it does seem to receive a lot and well-deserved), but more in the sense that the people need to know everything it’s doing.

So, I suppose at this point I need to thank Phil Castle for retiring. After all, it was the spark that ignited the fire. And no, I don’t mean that in the sense that I needed Phil out of the way. More than anything, I needed Phil over those 25 years to mold The Business Times into the quality product you enjoy reading. Even better, one which could easily make the shift to weekly without skipping a beat. What’s in your hands is Phil’s handiwork. All I ever did was make a few sales and write half a page of my thoughts (more on that a few paragraphs down).

Beyond thanking Phil, I want to send out an even bigger thank you to our advertisers. As I mentioned, doing this weekly thing requires investment. And if you read my last column (as I am sure all our good readers did), you might recall how all too many investors tend to want a paper done their way, to which I always said, “No way.” So, the investment in doing this came from our great group of current advertisers, who pretty much all stayed with The Business Times in its new venture. As we head into Year Two, the trend continues as they see the value and continued growth of the paper as a sound investment.

None of this happens without them. Imagine that. A newspaper whose advertising base continues to grow. Maybe that’s because of the other group I can’t thank enough for the success of The Business Times, our readers. Time and again I get emails, voice mails and notes (yes, even with subscription checks) from both long-time and new readers about how much they are enjoying the new version of their favorite paper.

So here I am, a full year into the new Business Times and I have to say, it’s become an even better version of what I envisioned. We’ve been able to bring community stories into the fold while still publishing all the great business stories we’ve been known for. We’ve kept and grown our advertising and reader bases this past year and look forward to adding classified ads and bringing back our very successful, advertising-driven, special sections.

Gotta give the people what they want, no? Even if that special “sumthin’ sumthin’” is more of the wit and witticism of yours truly. To the dismay of many (and today, to the one caller I made the unfortunate choice of answering my cell phone to) I’ll still be writing. Since we’re talking about my musings, let’s get into the weeds on that phone call.

First off, if you call me and open with you really like my paper and think we do a good job, you should know I know the ol’ But Monkey is about to make an appearance. And second, if you make the call personal, you really either don’t read the paper that often or you don’t really like it – both of which are fine by me. This person did both because they disagreed with my opinion column. Funny how I got the call today when I’ve written on the topic half a dozen times this past year.

But I suppose they had to say it over the phone and make it personal while using the anonymity of the phone to remove the personal, while making it very personal. After all, if you wrote the paper in a letter to the editor, you’d have to put your name on it. I’d also probably publish it. I suppose this also tells me I need more letter-to-the-editor interaction with our readers, along with op-eds. Still too many going to other newspapers in town.

So, I guess I got a few things to work on. Just know, writing to a paper about what you want it to be won’t be one of them. I like the one we’ve created just fine. Where’s the fun in doing the news like everyone else in town?

As always, and what I need to get back to in responding to folks by email or phone, thanks for reading. And advertising. And coming along on Year Two of this adventure.

In Truth and freedom.

Craig Hall is owner and publisher of The Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com