In fact, Chadds Ford is Live. We had our own newspaper to prove it—The Chadds Ford Post. Unfortunately, the Post went out of business in 2009. The editor, Rich Schwartzman, came to me and told me the news. Chadds Ford had no newspaper, and Rich had no job. My reaction was “We can fix that!”
I had been involved in technology all of my professional career but had recently retired. I knew nothing about publishing a newspaper, but knowing nothing never stopped me before. We decided to develop a new online news publication for Chadds Ford.
Rich knew the turf and wrote the news stories. I tried to get my head around the business details. We needed a publication platform and advertisers. Where do we start?
WordPress is a popular publication software that we tried and liked. As with most programs, it can be ornery, but it is packed with useful utilities.
Our community is filled with generous spirits who were willing to pitch in. David Dodge jumped right in as a lead advertiser. Chadds Ford Business Association joined in. Many others followed.
Another important piece fell into place when I attended a presentation at the Brandywine River Museum. I started chatting with the fellow next to me and told him about Chadds Ford Live. Mark (his middle name is Community) Trozzi offered to help. His business and presentation acumen was just what we needed. He helped guide us through all the vicissitudes of growing a business.
We were facing a lot of work to start up and little income. Rich, Mark, and I accepted working without pay to get this enterprise off the ground. Those times were slim pickings.
There was a mental resistance back then to advertise in a publication which had no print version. Fortunately, that has changed. Gradually, more and more advertisers signed on.
Two years ago, my son and grandchildren were beckoning me to move to Colorado to be with them. They even found us a house. How can you turn that down? We couldn’t. The decision meant selling Chadds Ford Live. Rich, ever resourceful, found a buyer, and the deal was done. George Rotsch has several other publications and resources to bring to Chadds Ford Live.
I miss you all in Chadds Ford.
Emily Myers,
formerly of Chadds Ford Township
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
