We're approaching our heavy time of the year.
Between now and Christmas, the weight of the newspaper will increase considerably as it's stuffed with advertising inserts on Thanksgiving, Black Friday and more than usual on the next several Sundays.
It's a challenge we're only too happy to accommodate.
I get a kick out of the occasional feedback form that suggests the paper has too "too many ads."
That's like telling Sheetz they're selling too many hot dogs.
At the same time, we're quite conscious of providing a relatively equal amount of space for news. We strive for a 50-50 balance between the ads that run in the paper - inserts are separate - and our "news hole."
Which brings me to today's point (there is one): Please be patient with your carrier over the next few weeks. If the paper is a few minutes later than normal, you know the reason. Draw an extra cup of coffee before calling circulation guru Dan Slep directly.
We appreciate your understanding, and so will your carrier.
Daily mission
Speaking of the aforementioned feedback forms, one reader listed "publishing on Easter and Christmas" as something he doesn't like about the paper.
That's understandable, given the holiness of those holidays.
At the same time, particularly when Christmas falls during the week, people are generally at home, and, after opening presents and returning from church, they may have more time to spend with the paper.
Christmas also gives us a chance to showcase theme-based stories such as the gift of giving.
We try to avoid overly controversial subjects, unless we have no choice, on Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas, but we also feel one of the best attributes of our paper - or any paper - is its relentless consistency.
And we enjoy trying to meet that challenge.
Every day.
A little cooperation
We've written a number of stories on the recently released movie "Unstoppable," part of which was filmed in Tyrone.
And yet, when we called the local Carmike Cinemas to ask "What's been the local response?" a representative declined to comment citing company policy.
You'd think we were asking to see the company's books.
We got more cooperation from regional theaters in Richland and Huntingdon.
Some companies can have so many rules that the book does not leave room for an entry under common sense, especially on noncontroversial matters.
We surrender
Thanks to the dogged persistence of Sunday columnist and Cove historian Jim Wentz, we're changing our style on Morrison Cove High School.
Years ago, 60-plus to be exact, the Mirror started referring to the old Morrison Cove High School as Morrisons Cove High School - even though the school was named Morrison Cove High School.
It was probably done because the area was and still is known as Morrisons Cove.
Wentz, though, led the charge out of respect for the real name of his alma mater, so we're surrendering to him, and from now on, typically in obituaries and in announcements of class reunions, it will be Morrison Cove High School.
I'm thinking this decision will help provide a lot more free time for Jim Wentz.
Mirror Managing Editor Neil Rudel can be reached at 946-7527 or nrudel@altoonamirror.com.
