I’m a lifelong daily newspaper reader; in fact, reading the paper in the morning is so ingrained in my consciousness that if the newspaper (any newspaper but ESPECIALLY the Arkansas Democrat Gazette)isn’t available to read that morning, my day feels off kilter. As the ADG began their march into the future of technology, I watched with horror as more and more communities around the state ceased to have a “hard” copy (paper) newspaper to read. I felt sorry for them musing about how challenging it must be to read the newspaper online...how could one possibly wake up properly without having the paper to rustle, fold, and (when appropriate) shake loudly to show emotion? Then...it happened. One day for some reason, I chose to read one section online. I began to realize, like so many before me, that reading the newspaper on my iPad was not only acceptable but actually EASIER & BETTER! I’m not sure how, but I find that I can get through the paper faster as well. It might be that the type seems crisper and brighter online. Another bonus is that the coffee table can be rid of the clutter of the daily paper and the “Read Later” pile. And I’ve discovered that “page rustling” is overrated; it’s quite nice not having the rustling sound disturbing my quiet morning. And truthfully, I really don’t need to shake the newspaper to express my feelings; I use WORDS to express myself! I’m really not sure what we need the actual paper for anymore except for various household chores or to discipline the dog. (Not OUR spoiled pups however!) Thank you to the ADG for not only “hanging in” when times are tough for all newspapers but finding a way to persevere and grow!

I admire the programmers that figured this out - My Democrat- Gazette is always with me - I have read these 2 papers since 1944 - I think that I learned to read fascinated with the war coverage - It has been a part of almost every day since - What a difference during 4 years of Army Service(2 in VN) it would have have made - I had a hard time finding out the Arkansas-Texas score in 1964 - But then I found a friend that was a ham operator and he found out from somebody in Japan - From SpecIal Forces Camp Plei Me near the Cambodian Border touching ARkansas meant a great deal - I have used online for years while traveling, cumbersome at first but always getting better - While I might suggest a few small changes, it is easy to use and just WELL DONE - Thank you Walter Hussman and your programmers - It has always and still is the best paper I know and I am a newspaper junkie that reads many newspapers.

My wife and I are ADG loyalists. I like the local columnists…particularly Brian Hendricks, Rex Nelson and Phillip Martin. I like the in-depth reporting on local news and the thorough Razorback coverage. We both like the digital format. The bad news is we are both 83 and presume the majority of your subscribers are older. I never see any effort by the ADG to reach younger people and grow your circulation. Perhaps you have research that says chasing young potential subscribers is a lost cause. The subscription fee is entirely reasonably but when I encourage young middle class people to take the paper it seems that they see the cost as a high bar. Lifestyle is another issue. We are deeply retired. We have the time and the commitment to read both the ADG and the WSJ every day. We grew up that way and recognize the difference in thoroughness, talent and integrity that a dood daily paper provides.Bottom line is we like you and appreciate you but wonder how you can make it work financially. You are apparently reaching proportionately more people and providing more content than many papers in bigger urban areas. You need to find a way to sustain and even grow your base. I think it can be done. Perhaps it is by offering a bargain first year rate for new subscribers who provide their own reading devices. The free IPad was a smart way to hold most of your base through the digital conversion but is probably not needed now. The key to the extraordinary growth of many American digital enterprises is that there is very little incremental cost tied to a new customer. Find a way. We are rooting for you.Howard and Barbara Hawes

Each morning of this freezing Kansas winter I get out of bed around seven thirty or eight. I make my coffee, and while it makes I start a fire in our wood stove. I pick up my iPad, pour a cup of coffee, sit down in my catnapper with my feet close to the stove and open my iPad to the new edition of the Democrat Gazette. I met my wife while attending a military school at Camp Robinson. She lived in Broadmoor at the time. I became familiar with Little Rock and enjoyed reading the Gazette every day I was there. The Arkansas Section is the best. These many years later (still married) I sit in the middle of the Kansas prairie and imagine the traffic on I 630, or the sound of the blue jays at Maumelle State Park, or the smell of Arkansas (wet wood, wood smoke and trees). I hear the traffic on Cantrell, taste Shipley donuts from the donut shop, hear the sound of running water from Rock Creek. I watch the barges going up and down the Arkansas River, I see the bright yellow street cars downtown, I see that railroad bridge at the Clinton Center. I get all of this when I read my daily Democrat Gazette. I wouldn’t want to live life without it. Thanks for the good times.Dennis FlavinEsbon, Kansas