"Bubbling up in our own good time-- online."
Groundwaters Publishing, LLC
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| Groundwaters' History |
Some of Judy Hays-Eberts’ early readers and contributors began offering their help with the
publication of Groundwaters magazine. Two of them, Pat Broome, who published a story in
the very first issue, and Jennifer Chambers, who came on board shortly afterwards, began
meeting with Judy and collaborating with her on upcoming issues. Pat Edwards began
volunteering her assistance in the Fall 2006 after meeting Judy for the first time when she
profiled their store in Lorane in the Summer 2006 issue. Judy's and Pat E.'s relationship
began slowly — Pat contributed a few things that she had written and offered advice on
layout and content. In the early part of 2007, Judy began having serious health issues,
however, and Pat Edwards took over the layout work of the Summer 2007 issue. The pain
and the need to focus on her health began taking their tolls on Judy and she began talking
about shutting down publication of Groundwaters. None of the staff, however, wanted to see
what had become a cherished publication to many, end. Besides doing all of the layout work,
Pat E. began taking on more of the preliminary decision-making and planning with the help of
Pat Broome and Jennifer. Judy guided their efforts and contributed whatever writing and
advice that her health allowed. Soon, Pat Edwards' brother, Jim Burnett, began taking an
interest in Groundwaters. He’s been a reviewer for one of the state’s writers groups for
several years and volunteered his services as a long-distance consultant via email. He and
his wife Jonni have lived in their RV headquartered in Portland, Oregon since his retirement
several years ago.
Their goal at first was to just keep the magazine going until the end of 2007. None of the staff
felt that we could take on the huge financial burden that Judy and Sonny faced each quarter
and we were unsure how we could generate enough income. Even though Judy’s faithful
readers and contributors were generous with cash donations, it was an income that could not
be counted on each quarter. They explored the possibility of applying for non-profit status in
order to be able to apply for grant funding; but the process of forming a board of directors,
holding structured meetings and doing the vast amount of paperwork that would be required
was more than any of them wanted to commit to. They also felt that it would take the control
for what they produced out of their hands.
Judy began turning over more and more of the responsibility to Pat E., as the pain she dealt
with on a daily basis took over much of her energies. Pat began trying to focus the group on
identifying a solution so that they could keep the magazine going beyond January 2008.
Thus, everyone became committed to finding some way to make it support itself. Pat E.
headed up a plan to seek enough advertisers to pay for the 500 free issues that are
committed to each quarter. Judy was concerned that they try to seek the advertisers from
outside of the Veneta area so that they would not be in direct competition with the publishers
of the West Lane News. That’s just one of the many qualities that has earned her so much
respect throughout the area – it’s an example of her heart and love for community. She has
never wanted to intrude on her neighbors. But, at the same time, it made it harder to find
enough businesses in the smaller, outlying communities to meet their goal.
The staff determined that it would need to sign on at least 15 to 20 advertisers each quarter
to cover the cost of printing and paper for the magazine. Subscription rates were re-
evaluated and raised to make sure that they covered the cost of postage and supplies used
for mailings during this time of ever-increasing postal rates.
In the meantime, Judy was determined to step aside completely and allow Groundwaters to
continue to grow under the guidance of the others. Five volunteers, Jennifer Chambers, Pat
Broome, Jim Burnett, Sonny Hays-Eberts and Pat Edwards formed a Limited Liability
Company (LLC) called Groundwaters Publishing, LLC. Pat Edwards is the Manager of the
business and Managing Editor of the magazine, and she and her husband Jim Edwards
donated the use of an unused building in Lorane, Oregon where the production work for the
magazine could be housed. Groundwaters Publishing, LLC continues to have its roots in
Veneta and much of its distribution will be in the Veneta/Elmira area, but the actual work of
producing it is based in Lorane.
The transition was not easy. There were occasional clashes over misunderstandings, but
everyone kept a close friendship throughout, working towards keeping Groundwaters alive
and well. All who work on the project have a tremendous respect for each other. That’s the
glue that is holding it together for them and as time goes on, that’s what’s going to keep
Judy's dream alive.
publication of Groundwaters magazine. Two of them, Pat Broome, who published a story in
the very first issue, and Jennifer Chambers, who came on board shortly afterwards, began
meeting with Judy and collaborating with her on upcoming issues. Pat Edwards began
volunteering her assistance in the Fall 2006 after meeting Judy for the first time when she
profiled their store in Lorane in the Summer 2006 issue. Judy's and Pat E.'s relationship
began slowly — Pat contributed a few things that she had written and offered advice on
layout and content. In the early part of 2007, Judy began having serious health issues,
however, and Pat Edwards took over the layout work of the Summer 2007 issue. The pain
and the need to focus on her health began taking their tolls on Judy and she began talking
about shutting down publication of Groundwaters. None of the staff, however, wanted to see
what had become a cherished publication to many, end. Besides doing all of the layout work,
Pat E. began taking on more of the preliminary decision-making and planning with the help of
Pat Broome and Jennifer. Judy guided their efforts and contributed whatever writing and
advice that her health allowed. Soon, Pat Edwards' brother, Jim Burnett, began taking an
interest in Groundwaters. He’s been a reviewer for one of the state’s writers groups for
several years and volunteered his services as a long-distance consultant via email. He and
his wife Jonni have lived in their RV headquartered in Portland, Oregon since his retirement
several years ago.
Their goal at first was to just keep the magazine going until the end of 2007. None of the staff
felt that we could take on the huge financial burden that Judy and Sonny faced each quarter
and we were unsure how we could generate enough income. Even though Judy’s faithful
readers and contributors were generous with cash donations, it was an income that could not
be counted on each quarter. They explored the possibility of applying for non-profit status in
order to be able to apply for grant funding; but the process of forming a board of directors,
holding structured meetings and doing the vast amount of paperwork that would be required
was more than any of them wanted to commit to. They also felt that it would take the control
for what they produced out of their hands.
Judy began turning over more and more of the responsibility to Pat E., as the pain she dealt
with on a daily basis took over much of her energies. Pat began trying to focus the group on
identifying a solution so that they could keep the magazine going beyond January 2008.
Thus, everyone became committed to finding some way to make it support itself. Pat E.
headed up a plan to seek enough advertisers to pay for the 500 free issues that are
committed to each quarter. Judy was concerned that they try to seek the advertisers from
outside of the Veneta area so that they would not be in direct competition with the publishers
of the West Lane News. That’s just one of the many qualities that has earned her so much
respect throughout the area – it’s an example of her heart and love for community. She has
never wanted to intrude on her neighbors. But, at the same time, it made it harder to find
enough businesses in the smaller, outlying communities to meet their goal.
The staff determined that it would need to sign on at least 15 to 20 advertisers each quarter
to cover the cost of printing and paper for the magazine. Subscription rates were re-
evaluated and raised to make sure that they covered the cost of postage and supplies used
for mailings during this time of ever-increasing postal rates.
In the meantime, Judy was determined to step aside completely and allow Groundwaters to
continue to grow under the guidance of the others. Five volunteers, Jennifer Chambers, Pat
Broome, Jim Burnett, Sonny Hays-Eberts and Pat Edwards formed a Limited Liability
Company (LLC) called Groundwaters Publishing, LLC. Pat Edwards is the Manager of the
business and Managing Editor of the magazine, and she and her husband Jim Edwards
donated the use of an unused building in Lorane, Oregon where the production work for the
magazine could be housed. Groundwaters Publishing, LLC continues to have its roots in
Veneta and much of its distribution will be in the Veneta/Elmira area, but the actual work of
producing it is based in Lorane.
The transition was not easy. There were occasional clashes over misunderstandings, but
everyone kept a close friendship throughout, working towards keeping Groundwaters alive
and well. All who work on the project have a tremendous respect for each other. That’s the
glue that is holding it together for them and as time goes on, that’s what’s going to keep
Judy's dream alive.
Go to Judy's "Letter of Goodbye"
Transitions - Judy Steps Down