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December 2006 As we come to the end of another year, I wanted too take a look at back issues of the Colonia Press and the Colonia Corner to compare years. What I found was the December 1998 issue of the Colonia Press. This issue is the first one published by the new owners, who purchased the paper from Adele & Kyle Ellis. The Ellis’s braved new waters by gambling on a publication of local news, (mostly Colonia) along with articles, community information and human interest stories pertaining to the needs of Colonia residents and an avenue for the local merchants to market their wares. This had been done before with the Independent Leader from Woodbridge and the Atom Tabloid from Rahway. Again, good publications, but clearly in order to sustain a newspaper business, (not that I ever ran a newspaper), you need to cover a wide area in order to bring in the revenue needed to support itself. Thus, Colonia was also ran among the big horses. What was risky turned out to be a big success. Was it profitable? That’s another story. The new owners, the Pine brothers and others, made an attempt to create other local papers in Woodbridge and using the economy of scale, ( printing more papers at a cheaper cost would bring a bigger profit.). I don’t question their business sense or their right to profit from that business. That’s what puts food on all of our tables. After the new owners began to publish more volumes, it became clear that the paper had gotten away from the local “good news” and started to included information and news that could be followed on a daily basis in the Star Ledger or The News Tribune. In my conversations with people around town, they were disappointed with the new format. It was only a matter of time before the Colonia Press stopped publication, I don’t remember the exact dates or the amount of time, but I remember that I and many people around me, missed the Colonia paper. I, especially missed writing about Colonia’s past. Plus, no one was telling me how much they like the articles, (and I can be a vain person at times), and that made me cranky. So, it was again extremely risky to start up a business in a location where one before it did not thrive. When Robin and Debbie called me to tell me that they where starting over with the Colonia Corner, I was thrilled. But again, could it be done? Well as you know, the rest is history. The paper has taken on a life of its own. I hear all the time that people wait in anticipation for the next issue. Kids love to see their name and or picture in the paper. No matter how old they are. I know I have a favorite section in the paper. That’s right, Thoughts from the Editor. Anyway, the paper is thicker than ever, and I understand if the advertising department was a movie house, the line would be out the door. This says a lot for the people of Colonia also. Not only are the willing to support the paper by reading it, but by also supporting the advertisers who believe that their money is well spent. The correlation being that the more readers, the more potential customers, more profit for the paper, better reading for the public. How could you not like this? But, one other point that I must make is the fact that Colonia Corner is the only publication of it’s sort in the Township, giving credit that Colonia residents can be the most independent, creative, resourceful and civic minded as where the previous Colonia residents who fought hard to make Colonia a better place to live. If it wasn’t for the Mother’s Club of the 1950’s to the Civic Club on Inman Ave, or the Junto of the 30s & 40s, Colonia would be a much different place. Colonia’s past may not be as full of historical events or fascinating stories but it always has and will always have the right people to mould, contribute, support and yes, protect our little piece of the pie. So, as we approach the end of this year and look forward to the next, it is time to thank the people whom make Colonia a special place. From the people who take the time to paint over graffiti, to cleaning the parks and creeks, organize all the local clubs and organizations and protecting our children in school and out. I’m sure that the people who we believe can be considered the founding fathers and mothers Of Colonia, such as Edward & Elizabeth Cone, the Bishop family, Mary Pattison, the Compton’s, Houghton’s and probably Colonia’s first residents, the Daniel Pierce family and all the way to David Miller, they would be very proud of us. I have had many people come up to me and members of the Colonia History Club who live in the township but not in Colonia and ask this question. Why does Colonia need its own History Club and paper? Do we really need to answer? My thanks are to Robin and Debbie who continue to give Colonia what it wants. I’m sure that the profit motive is always a significant reason to create a business, but I believe the Colonia Corner is in their blood and they love what they are doing. Their commitment to “Bring Colonia Together” nominates them as the winners of the 1st Annual Colonia Citizens of the year. (Just made that up, but I mean it). Keep up the good work. Have a Happy and Safe Holiday season and I’ll see you in January 2007. Daniel D’Arcy 732-382-1156
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