Sentinel reflects on first anniversary of dispensing good news

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By Craig Howard, News Editor
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June 1, 2010 — With the frequency of discouraging stories found in nearly every form of mainstream media these days, Dennis West thought it was about time for some good news.

Dennis West pictured here with his wife, Christine, who now manages advertising and accounting for Latter-day Sentinel. Also pictured, their daughters, Emily and Haley. Contributed Photo.

Equipped with the sort of optimism that would have made Norman Vincent Peale proud, West launched an online newspaper called "Latter-day Sentinel" on June 1, 2009. One year later, the free publication is providing nearly 600 weekly subscribers with continuing lessons in the power of positive reading.

West, a member of the Belle Terre Ward in the Spokane East Stake, embarked on the project in early 2009 with a background in graphic design and illustration. Craig Howard, a local journalist and fellow Belle Terre Ward resident, was brought on to help establish the concept and serve as news editor. Plans moved ahead to create a format that included topics such as news, sports, business, arts and service, similar to a daily or weekly newspaper. The site would also include a classified section chronicling births, missionary callings, weddings and obituaries. A business directory would supplement advertising from companies throughout the area with an LDS affiliation.

West recalls that the idea for the Sentinel originated from a couple in the Belle Terre Ward, Chris and Cheri Peck, who told him of a popular LDS periodical in their former home of San Diego. While that publication is a printed newspaper, West decided to establish a Spokane rendition that would be distributed online via e-mail to readers once a week. In the very first issue of the Sentinel, West described the venture as "an LDS news portal and weekly e-mail newsletter covering the area of the Spokane Temple District."

Mostly through word of mouth, the Sentinel hit the Internet last June with a subscriber count of 74.

The first few months provided an indication of the Sentinel's emphasis on a range of interesting topics - all with a goal of informing and enriching readers. There was the account of Lynette Romney from the Liberty Lake area who trained for the Coeur d'Alene Triathlon but wound up tackling the course a day before the event because she would not compete on Sunday. Another article described how local LDS American Legion baseball players chose to sit out games as part of their commitment to honor the Sabbath.

On the business front, readers learned about fellow LDS member in fields like real estate, in-home senior care, vinyl lettering and scrapbooking. One article recounted a program initiated at Call Realty in which employees were given $250 by management and challenged to use the funds "to give back to the community."

West said the feedback over the past 12 months has been as encouraging as the news included on the site. Subscribers hail from half-a-dozen stakes in the greater Spokane area as well as the Idaho stakes of Coeur d' Alene, Lewiston, Moscow, Sandpoint and Hayden. In Montana, Sentinel readers come from stakes in Missoula and Stevensville.

"One of the more rewarding things that has happened since launching Latter-day Sentinel has been when people come up to me and say, 'I never knew that,' then they proceed to tell me something they learned about a member of the church or an event in the area through reading Latter-day Sentinel," West said.

Tales of inspiration were also part of the inaugural year, from the courageous battle of Mike Withers overcoming cancer to the football heroics of Makai Borden, a linebacker at Eastern Washington University who lost his father, Randy, at the age of 11. The paper also told the story of groups like the BYU Management Society that make it a point to help others find their own success through an annual college scholarship program.

The Sentinel also donated its share of gifts throughout the past year, passing along tickets to Disney on Ice, the Spokane Shock, various dinner venues and The 5 Browns as part of a series of subscription drives. Along the way, the paper promoted several family movie nights at the Garland Theatre and provided an overview of everything from opera to the rodeo in a weekly entertainment bulletin known as the "Wholesome Recreation Guide," compiled by staff writer Tanya Smith.

Readers learned about volunteer opportunities at local nonprofit agencies like Meals on Wheels and The Arc of Spokane and Big Brothers/Big Sisters as well as real-life heroes like Dr. Mathew Rawlins, a Spokane physician who donated time to the relief effort in Haiti after a massive earthquake in January.

In its first year, the publication expanded to Facebook and Twitter and added a feature that allows readers to comment on weekly stories.

A number of Sentinel articles described the joy experienced by those who had discovered the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Such was the case of Holli Medema who began taking the missionary discussions and eventually joined the church after answering a call intended for a teacher in the Belle Terre Ward Elders Quorum. Medema described how the wrong number led to a discovery that changed her life.

"I started to gain an understanding of hope and faith," Medema said in a story that appeared in the Nov. 9 issue. "I tell people how the gospel has truly made me happier."

On the anniversary of the Sentinel's first year, the idea that started with 74 subscribers continues to promote ideals like hope and faith in stories that emphasize the sunlight instead of dwelling on the storm clouds. As Elder Neil A. Maxwell, the late Apostle once said, "We should carry jumper cables not only in our cars but in our hearts so we can send the needed boost of encouragement to our mortal neighbors."

After 52 issues, the Sentinel appears to be a vehicle for good headed in the right direction - jumper cables securely on board.

Comments

6/1/2010 7:17:44 PM | Jean said:

Your are doing a great job - there have been many great stories. Thank you.

6/1/2010 7:36:06 PM | Tamara said:

I can't believe it has been a whole year! Way to go and keep up the good work. Wishing you great success for the coming years, and years, and years.

6/1/2010 9:53:13 PM | Tanya said:

Great publication. Keep 'em coming!

6/2/2010 9:30:43 AM | Brent said:

Thanks Dennis I love reading the Sentinel every week, it makes me feel great when I see members doing great things in our area. thanks again.

6/2/2010 6:05:59 PM | carol said:

Love receiving the Sentinel. It's so fun to learn more about members in the area. Thanks for all you do.

6/2/2010 10:21:31 PM | Nancy said:

I love the Sentinel. Thanks for keeping me informed about members that I otherwise would not hear about. I read the articles every week.

6/7/2010 12:39:24 PM | Radene said:

Thank you for the great uplifting stories! :D

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Latter-day Sentinel
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