SEE RELATED ARTICLE BY PEEKSKILL HERALD PUBLISHER REGINA CLARKIN
Amid a pandemic that had changed everything, the digital version of Peekskill Herald was born. Like a seed that germinates in the midst of fertile terrain, the journalism project began to grow around a community thirsty for a source of information that was local and reliable. Five years later, the Herald is celebrating its anniversary with a party. The celebration will take place Saturday, July 25. Riverfront Green will be the setting for the gathering, which will begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 4 p.m.
Beyond a date on the calendar, the party seeks to bring together the people who have made the newspaper’s growth possible over these five years: readers, neighbors, community organizations, contributors, volunteers and sponsors. Some have been with the Herald since its early days; others have joined along the way, and today, the digital newspaper that was born as a dream is present in their daily lives.
It’s present in the morning, while they have their coffee or head to work. During their midday break. At lunchtime, or simply while passing the time on their phones. Many readers say that Peekskill Herald is like a feast for the eyes and mind. There is always something for everyone: those interested in politics, community stories, sports, education news or the events calendar.
With every story it publishes, the Herald remains faithful to the principles on which the project was built, even before it became a nonprofit organization. It was in January 2019 that Regina Clarkin reclaimed the name of a newspaper that had been a reference point for the city for years and she began publishing a weekly blog dedicated to Peekskill.
In 2020, the need for local information and the support of the community fueled a crowdfunding campaign that helped build a digital news outlet with broader coverage. One year later, in July 2021, Peekskill Herald was formally established as a nonprofit organization dedicated to community journalism.
This Saturday’s celebration will have a family-friendly atmosphere and will be open to the public. At 3 p.m., the traditional anniversary cake cutting will take place. The anniversary dessert is courtesy of Homestyle Desserts. Organizers said that guests do not need to bring a gift, but monetary donations are more than welcome. Those who donate will be part of the Herald‘s campaign to add 500 donors, with contributions ranging from $25 to $250. In this way, Peekskill Herald will continue its mission of sharing reliable and timely — and essential — information.
It is a body of work that has grown and expanded over the past five years, during which the Herald has covered local elections, Common Council meetings, neighborhood initiatives, environmental projects, festivals, concerts, exhibitions, small businesses that have opened their doors and organizations that work every day to strengthen the community. It also has told the stories of artists, students, entrepreneurs and residents who have found in the Herald an invaluable and singular place to stay connected to their community.
