IT SURE SEEMS like this community could use a local sports magazine.
And that’s exactly what is planned for Marquette County starting this fall. The folks who bring us Marquette Neighbors, the 16 page monthly community magazine, say they’re going to publish a magazine devoted to local sports, both recreational and competitive. In other words, both football and kayaking, hockey and hiking, along with basketball, biking, and more.
“There are so many businesses that support sports in this community,” says Bethany Vaughn, the publisher of Marquette Neighbors. “We feel there is a need for a local sports magazine here in Marquette County.”
Hard to disagree. And while we’re on the subject, why is there still no sporting goods store in Marquette? Dunham’s and MC Sports have left and no one’s stepped in to fill the vacuum. Yes, we have the specialty stores (especially bikes) that do a superb job of serving their customers, but it would seem we could also support a larger all-sports store. Couldn’t we?
Back to Marquette Neighbors. The publication has been around for four years now. It’s owned by Best Version Media, a national chain with 700 similar community magazines. It’s glossy, well-written, filled with outstanding photographs, and a healthy supply of local advertisements. (We counted 22 in the 16 page July edition.)
“The idea is to produce a high-end glossy magazine that promotes the community,” says Vaughn. “We try to focus on people who are doing good, who are contributing to the community.”
The monthly cover story is filled with photographs of a local family.
The cover article every month features a local family. Three pages about them, their history, their jobs, their activities, their home. There are also sections on real estate, recipes, and a calendar of events.
Happy, wholesome, positive stuff.
Some Facebookers have recently questioned why the featured families on the cover seem mostly the same–two parents, white, with children, apparently prosperous. Living the good life. A fair criticism, and there’s a reason for it.
Among the features in the magazine is a monthly listing of real estate sales.
Marquette Neighbors is distributed free to 3000 homes in Marquette County–but only to homes valued at $250,000 or more. A targeted, relatively affluent audience much coveted by advertisers. That’s not to say only white, two parent families are prosperous, live in nice neighborhoods, and are deserving of attention–at least we don’t think that’s what Marquette Neighbors is saying. It just seems that way with most of their editions.
Maybe it’s just a coincidence. Maybe it’ll change.
But you’ve got to give them–and Best Version Media–credit. They seem to be succeeding where other printed publications–namely newspapers–are struggling, and in some cases, failing. Their plan for a Marquette County sports magazine is a further indication that they feel even brighter days lie ahead.