Community newspaper group expands into third state

    PUTNAM, Conn., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Stonebridge Press Newspapers has
added to its group of community newspapers with the creation of a new division
of the publishing company, focusing on Northeast Connecticut.  Beginning
September 23, the Putnam Villager, Woodstock Villager and Thompson Villager,
will be mailed weekly to every home in the Northeast Corner of Connecticut.
These new weekly community papers will serve residents in the towns and
villages of Putnam, Woodstock, Thompson, Eastford and Pomfret, Connecticut.
Each of the Villager Newspapers will be direct-mailed via the US Post Office
every week to over 15,000 local homes, and an additional 1,400 businesses.
Stonebridge Press, headquartered in Southbridge, MA, publishes six weekly
community newspapers and one daily, serving south central Massachusetts.
    A new office has been opened for Villager Newspapers in the historic
Belding Mills Complex at 107 Providence Street in Putnam, Connecticut and a
team of news, sales and support staff has started to work on the first issue
of each of the newspapers.
    "The Quiet Corner of Connecticut has a real need for local community
newspapers that are focused on local news," said Frank G Chilinski, president
and publisher of Stonebridge Press, and its new division, Villager Newspapers.
"Every week, each Villager newspaper will be a true reflection of its local
towns and villages.   We invite readers to write in and become a part of the
first draft of local history.   We believe in being relentlessly local."
There are no plans to charge for subscriptions, and each newspaper will be
100% advertiser supported.  Chilinski added, "Our readers are loyal to our
trusted advertisers, as they are a key part of the community newspaper each
week."

    Total Market Coverage Newspapers
    The Villager Newspapers are unique in that they will be mailed free to
every home in the markets they serve.  As total market coverage newspapers,
they will provide advertisers the opportunity to reach every home in the local
market, while delivering a quality news product to the communities.
Advertisers are encouraged to submit both display and classified ads,
including help-wanted ads.  The Connecticut office can be reached toll-free at
877-888-2711.

    Third State for Owners of Newspapers
    In addition to the Massachusetts and Connecticut groups of papers, the
company also owns Salmon Press Newspapers, which publishes 15 weekly
newspapers in New Hampshire.

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