September 8, 2016 at 5:51 p.m.

CR steps into history books

Editorial

Let’s learn some history.
We’re always looking at ways we can improve the newspaper. Sometimes those are small tweaks, occasionally they are massive redesigns.
Two changes — one implemented last week, another to begin Monday — fall somewhere in between. They both have a historical focus.
Hopefully readers have noticed a new feature as part of the CR almanac on page 2. On Aug. 31, we started running an Associated Press feature called “Today in history.” It highlights a variety of historical events — some political, some military, some pop culture — that occurred on a given date.
We then expanded on the concept Saturday, adding a piece of local history. Those items are pulled at random from our archives, and are an effort to add some additional interest for readers in our coverage area.
Our other change involves bringing back a long-time feature of the paper and giving it a new spin.
For years, we ran a 25-year-old photo each Saturday on page 2. It was dubbed “Retrospect” and by all accounts was quite popular.
We discontinued that feature several years ago when it became a chore to develop decades-old film.
Technology has taken care of that issue.
We discovered while working on last year’s summer series about school consolidation that, if handled correctly, a cell phone scan/photo of old yearbooks or newspapers is of high enough quality to print in the newspaper. So that’s what we’ll be doing with “Retrospect.”
The new version will be different than in the past, however, borrowing from a similar idea the Toledo (Ohio) Blade launched a few years ago. Rather than just including a photo, “Retrospect” will now also involve a short story.
It also won’t be confined to the 25-year mark. Instead, it will be 25 years or older, in increments of five years, allowing us a chance to delve deeper into our archives.
In the news business, we’re typically looking at what happened yesterday, what’s happening today and what is going to happen tomorrow. But it’s also important to remember what happened 10, 25, 50 and 100 years ago and beyond.
Focusing on the future is important, but it is often helpful to glance back. There’s always something to learn. — R.C.
PORTLAND WEATHER

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