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I found myself at a crossroads in the summer of 2014. Newspapers were downsizing as readers and advertisers bailed. The Ledger cut my job as managing editor/digital, ending my 32 years with Lakeland’s daily newspaper.
At 61, I wasn’t ready to retire. What to do next?
Research showed that people who previously read the newspaper no longer felt they needed it to know what was happening in their community; instead, they were turning to social media and had less access to reliable local news and information.
I believed it was vital to connect people with the place they live, and began formulating a solution: a digital, community-embedded news organization whose work was easily accessible on cellphones and social media.
The result was LkldNow, which launched in 2015. We formed as a non-profit, in part to signal that readers came first, not advertisers. Our focus: explanatory reporting about community improvement in Lakeland in order to help readers better understand the place they live and get more involved.
Over the last 10 years, LkldNow’s staff has grown from a single volunteer publisher-editor-reporter (me) to an expanding news organization with an executive director, editor, reporter and multiple part-time journalists.
None of this would have been possible without a supportive board and readers and local organizations who believed enough in the importance of community journalism to support us financially.
Sometimes I felt that working long hours as an unpaid volunteer for 10 years was just crazy. But mostly I felt that starting and shepherding an organization that keeps Lakeland informed is by the far the coolest thing I’ve done.
And now, at age 72, it is time for me to step back from active involvement and let LkldNow’s new generation of leadership take flight. After practicing journalism for 50 years, this is my career’s -30-: the symbol back in print newspapers’ day that signaled the end of a story.
It’s been a great journey. Please join me in supporting the talented people continuing the important work at LkldNow and preserving independent journalism in Lakeland.
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Many thanks to you for your generosity in creating this resource for information for our community. I wish you many happy times in your next journey.
Thanks for being a beacon, Barry!
Barry, thank you for everything you’ve given to the Lakeland community! Wishing you health and happiness in your retirement!
Congratulations Barry and well done my friend. I hope for nothing but the best for you. Happy trails!
Barry, Lakeland is – and will be – a much better place because of YOU and the small band you have assembled. As as avid reader for most of your issues I am grateful for your vision and work ethic. Thank YOU so much for making OUR city the wonderful place I is.
Barry, congratulations on your retirement. So proud of all you have done to make LKLDNow a great source of information for our community.
Say it ain’t so, Barry!
When we left the Lakeland area in 2018, I kept connected by following lkldnow.com. Thanks for many years of positive community news that we see way too little of these days. Happy retirement Barry!
Simply the BEST! Enjoy your well-deserved break from journalism and your new retirement adventures, my friend!
You’ve been an inspiration to me and a pillar of the community. Enjoy your retirement and congrats!
Barry, you were my first editor and a real inspiration to me. My admiration continues and deepens. Best to you. Always.
You worked and persevered through some of the most challenging and yet rewarding days of journalism. Then you stepped up and helped fill a void of knowledge in our community to keep the lights of discovery shining. You have earned our respect and gratitude. I hope you find Margaritaville real soon as your inspirational life continues.
Barry,
You’re an example that know-how + passion + persistence can yield great success. Thank you for the difference you’ve made in Lakeland throughout your career. Happy retirement!
Congratulations! Let’s have coffee.
Congratulations Barry! Thank you for all of the effort and dedication.
Congrats on your next chapter. Enjoyed keeping up through Lkldnow about what was going on with my former hometown of 17 years
Well deserved, wishing you many years of good health and wonderful adventures
Congratulations Barry. You made a difference in the lives of so many people — many who have no idea how your journalism made their community a better place.