Last year, when I wrote an editorial similar to this one, there was some controversy about it inside the Connection. But many community organizations, civic organizations, businesses and elected officials responded positively, and it made a difference.

I have a special favor to ask, once again:

Buy an ad in our Newcomers and Community Guide.

To put on my publisher’s hat (not my editor’s hat) for a minute, if you have a marketing budget, and you value coverage of local newspapers (not just ours), why wouldn’t you spend a portion of that budget (any portion) supporting that platform?

Show your support for our organization which continues to be here to support the forces of good in our communities.

Our annual Newcomers and Community Guide is a pullout section that will appear in the the Aug. 23, 2017 edition of all 15 Connection Newspapers, published by Local Media Connection. Deadline is Aug. 16.

We are creating a quality special issue, and we need your help. Whether you invest in a small ad in a single paper (super affordable), or a full page in all 15 of our papers (super value), we appreciate your help this month.

For the same reasons that organizations, businesses and campaigns know they want local newspaper coverage, newspaper advertising is an effective way to reach voters, residents, clients. The Connection reaches more than 200,000 readers, in print and online, including remarkable demographics. Our readers include local and national decision makers in the public and private sector.

According to an independent study cited by the National Newspaper Association: 86 percent of voters who cast ballots in the election four years ago read newspapers in print or online; 79 percent of voters ages 18 to 34 read newspapers in print or online; 91 percent of voters who contribute to campaigns read newspapers in print or online.

The deadline for the Newcomers and Community Guide is Aug. 16. Digital enhancements and support are available. For more information,

email sales@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-778-9431.

See www.connectionnewspapers.com/advertising

Share Tips about Community

We need help from our readers with ideas for our annual Newcomers and Community Guide.

We're hoping to share special places, activities, events, organizations and volunteer opportunities. What should someone new to your neighborhood know about? Events that should not be missed? Organizations that do a great job? Places to volunteer? A great place to see the sunset? We'd love to have your photos to go along with your suggestions.

We will publish a selection of local tips along with a plethora of information useful to newcomers and long-time residents alike, including our award-winning Guide to the Parks, information on how to vote and more.

See last year’s community guides by going to www.connectionnewspapers.com/PDFs/ and scrolling down to Newcomers.

Email tips and photos to editors@connectionnewspapers.com or send as a letter to the editor via the website at http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/contact/letter/ by Wednesday, Aug. 17.

— Mary Kimm

mkimm@connectionnewspapers.com