OUTDOORS
Western Wasatch magazine a bulwark promoting our country lifestyle A couple of years ago the management at the Standard Examiner, along with assistance from Project Director Kendal Rae Jensen, hit upon a publishing idea that caught on like fire in goat grass! Why not create a regional publication that focuses on the Western way of life. And thus, the Western Wasatch Magazine came into fruition. In Kendal’s own words, “As a member of the western community, born and raised into a rodeo family and now working in advertising and publishing, I realized there has been a voice long unrepresented by the mainstream media in this area. My goal is to celebrate a wide variety of events, organizations, hobbies, industries and people in the community, to bring awareness of the western way of life and the benefits and opportunities it brings to youth.” The Western Wasatch does that and more. In a time when many publications are struggling, this magazine has gained increased readers with each printing. In a recent issue the magazine highlighted 35 different youth and their activities. It featured articles including rodeo events, youth
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on the many businesses and organizations that advertise in the publication. Without them, the Western Wasatch would sink slowly into the sunset. It Ken Adams behooves all of us to support these sponsors and express organizations, animal care, agriculour appreciation to them for ture, outdoors, Western fashion, their willingness to provide the and entertainment. You were able financial means to keep the to read about a blossoming rodeo magazine in print. star at age 9 and a 75 year old It is disheartening to learn outdoor enthusiast taking his first about regional publications moose! that are scaling back their Creating each of the printings number of issues or going out takes an enormous amount of of business altogether due time and manpower to come to to decreases in readership fruition. The team includes: writand advertising revenue. In ers, photographers, layout artists, the past month, two of the proofers, ad salespersons, manag- daily stalwarts in Northern ers and publisher to name of few. Utah were forced to become One of the most valuable asweekly publications and a sets the piece has going for it is weekly newspaper servthe numerous writers who supply ing Davis County since the articles for magazine. Staff writers advent of the pioneers was forced Mark Shenefelt and Kris Blankman to close its operation altogether. do an amazing job of covering Printed newspapers have major events and highlights, but played a critical role in our democmany other community members racy since the founding of this also submit pieces for print. (I per- great country almost 250 years sonally get a kick of Sam Lively’s ago. Our forefathers understood “Musing of a Cowboy”.) the need and protected the right The most critical aspect of the of publishers to present their wares and opinions to the public success of the magazine focuses
ALL THINGS OUTDOORS
under the protection of the Bill of Rights. Newspapers are accountable to their readership, are housed in buildings and offices with physical addresses and employ responsible management. They do not hide under the disguise of the Web or distribute articles that have no bases for fact through online sources.
The Western Wasatch is a top of the line magazine that serves an important need and audience in Utah and surrounding areas. A tip of the hat to the Standard-Examiner and its ownership for their creative insight and courage in publishing and distributing this valuable piece of American heritage.
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