The Town and Country recently received a very flattering "Letter to the Editor" from longtime reader and local resident Marlene DeLong. Her kind and supportive words for the newspaper and its publisher were greatly appreciated and taken to heart.
Keeping a local newspaper alive in today's warring atmosphere of economic uncertainty is not an easy task. The Town and Country will soon be entering its 126th year. For more than 125 years the publication has risen through the support of local readers. It is because of them that the publication was able to secure the support of local businesses and organizations who wanted to be seen by those very important local readers.
We still have that strong readership. But, that alone doesn't come close to paying the bills – just like any other newspaper.
While modesty keeps me from sharing, I humbly thank Marlene and feel the need to share her valued thoughts in this week's Editorial. Her letter was titled "Who's Next In Line?"
It has nothing to do with an elected position. Rather it is a question for the preservation of local history. Marlene questions what will happen when those who openly share local history are no longer able to.
It is a good question.
With the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, groups and committees have already been formed to plan various festivities and events leading up to July 4, 2026.
What an anniversary party that will be. But, we need to remember that there could be adverse effects as well, for national and local history.
Provenance defines something's background. Don't be offended if you're asked to provide it for something you say, write, or display.
We must be careful of those who would take advantage of this opportunity to "invent" history. You know, "grandma did it so it's part of the Pennsylvania-German culture." Not necessarily, it may be a family tradition but not part of the culture. Or, "a famous battle was fought near here." If so, cite your source.
You get the drift.
I have over 250 publications (not including newspapers) related to the history of our region here in our four-county corner of the Commonwealth, where Berks, Bucks, Lehigh, and Montgomery counties meet. And, I have read them all and written about many.
Local history doesn't seem to be as exciting and interesting to many anymore. I think it's because many of us are "aging out." Not everything is historical but everything has a history. The older we get, the more we seem to be interested in local history. Younger folks seem to be more interested in social media, a faster lifestyle, and a faster way to obtain information that they may or may not verify later. I do believe, like most of us, in time, most of them will gain an interest in the area's past. Old folks like me just try to make sure there is something there for them to research and study.
Just, please, don't make it up or "invent history".