Long distance readers keep in touch with Hope through HSJ Online

It is from the tiniest speck of hope that great things arise. And some are reborn.

For those who have been touched by the surprising town of Hope, they say supporting the town’s online newspaper is both an honor and privilege.

Warren Kirk, retired pastor with the United Methodist Church, says the five years he spent as a resident of Hope sparked an affinity for the small community that has never faded.

After moving to Hope from the Evansville area in 2011, Kirk says it was the residents of Hope and their dedication to reaching out and supporting one another that really impressed him.

And one of the ways they did this was through the Hope Star Journal, he says.

“I think communications and keeping people posted are instrumental in small community success,” he says. “And that is why I have an affinity for the (Hope Star-Journal), because they were trying to do that in a very positive way.”

However, that way was sidetracked when the publisher and owner, Larry David Simpson, died suddenly in 2014.

Kirk acknowledges there is difficulty in offering a printed paper in small communities, especially those that encounter sudden tragedies that require time from which to recover.

“It is difficult without having a printed paper,” he says. “But I think (HSJ Online) is making a recovery.”

Crediting the HSJ Online platform and increasing readership locally, regionally and nationally, Kirk believes there is certainly hope for the continued recognition and growth of the Hope community.

As the digital age continues to become more pervasive, Kirk says it is essential to support communication within communities to ensure their survival.

“You need to keep people connected, particularly for small communities,” Kirk says. “Caring for people in the community is what keeps a small community powerful. If they don’t have communication, they don’t care.”

But it is that caring that extends well beyond the confines of Bartholomew County. There are those who have never lived in Hope, but have had their lives touched by the surprising little town. People like Jimmy Horton, who lives in Winter Haven, Fla.

Horton was first introduced to Hope while visiting his cousin, David Webster, several years ago, when Webster settled in Hope to begin his teaching career.

Horton, a former resident of Indianapolis, recalls the first time he drove into Hope.

“I loved seeing the little Town Square and the buildings,” he says. “It gave me a homey feeling. I have always liked smaller towns.”

The Florida resident is someone who made his living with technology and says it is what Hope is doing with its latest online version of the Journal that has his interest.

“To me, there is still something about holding a newspaper in front of you and reading it that way,” he says. “On the other hand, the Journal has done such a good job putting things together online, to me that is a wonderful way to read everything.”

As the former vice president of information technology services at Polk State College in Winter Haven, Horton understands the importance of remaining versatile in changing times.

“My hope is that (HSJ Online) would definitely continue publishing [online],” he says. “It is a great connection not only for those in the Hope community, but for people who have an interest in the community who live on the outside like I do. It gives readers an insight into what is going on. It is a wonderful little town.”

"HSJ Online serves as an inspiration to those who would take the time to read it," Horton continued. "It provides readers with an opportunity to see the advantages of living in small town America. I have often visualized someone coming across this website and thinking there are places in our great country where citizens band together to promote and share the values associated with living in a small town, keeping in mind there are no true utopias in this world.

"The people of Hope have harnessed the power of technological communications to provide others with an insight into what can take place when a community comes together to enhance the lives of others through sharing information on HSJ Online. The primary asset of this online newspaper are all the talented people with the vision to keep it going."