The Allen family, from left, Donna (holding Crystal), Chelsea, Mark, and Christopher

Times Publishing Newspapers, Inc. - Promoting positive community news

by June Portnoy

Times Publishing Newspapers, Inc. (TPN) is one of the many family-owned businesses making a positive contribution to the community. It features positive news about local people, businesses and non-profit organizations that are making a difference in our world. Publisher, Donna Allen, discovered first-hand that people doing good things for the community often don't get the recognition they deserve. When her son was in second grade, he received a weekly assignment to bring in and summarize a weekly current event article. "It was so hard for him to find a story that was appropriate to discuss in class," remembers Donna. "Most of the stories were too violent, political or controversial." This realization was the seed of TPN's growth. Donna knew it was time for a community publication that published positive news. Thanks to her parent's emotional and financial support, Donna established the Morrisville Times 15 years ago. Donna's brand of journalism proved to be successful and, more importantly, appreciated by community members. "This grass-roots coverage is what makes people proud to live in their community," says Donna. "It is our goal to catch people doing good things and making them role models of the community. We give people who do nice things in their communities the kudos they deserve." When you read TPN publications you won't read about negative news like fires or crime; instead you'll read about Boy Scouts doing good deeds, children performing acts of kindness, and volunteers cleaning up the neighborhood. Donna believes that when promoting community pride, it's important to establish a sense that we're all in this together, and that by working together we can make this community a better place to live. TPN supports the local economy by encouraging readers to patronize the small locally owned businesses. It also helps local business owners build their businesses through advertising. In addition, it acts as a consulting firm to help business owners create strategies on how to grow and thrive in today's economy. "To me, the small family owned businesses are the heartbeat of America," says Donna. "It's what makes communities continue to exist and prosper." Donna adds that in today's economy, you see so many problems with large businesses and corporations that you're seeing a reversal of people coming back to the small family businesses. By shopping locally, you're supporting your community's products, as opposed to products manufactured in distant countries. TPN also provides cultural and social enrichment to the community by giving non-profit organizations a venue that is all theirs. It features articles about people who strive to create beauty in life, such as local artists, musicians and authors. It's common to read articles in TPN newspapers about a high school performance or about local kids from the 4-H Club. Another focus of TPN is to help preserve the history of our communities. "We have so many treasures in Bucks County and our papers have the privilege of showcasing them to our readers," says Donna. "We strive to create awareness and excitement about our history. By shedding light about one's roots, people can look to the future with a better understanding. Whether people have lived in the community for two or 20 years, these grass roots belong to all of us and are a part of who we are." TPN opens its doors to people who have dedicated their lives to preserving the community's history. It features news about the many historical associations from the area, and invites readers to come and meet people who have helped shape their community. In addition, TPN helps charitable organizations' causes by featuring them on a regular basis. Articles focus on people and locally owned businesses who are donating products to community events or who are volunteering their time. When it comes to finding volunteers or donations, charitable organizations turn to people in their community for help. TPN helps make local businesses, like the local pizza shop, famous for donating pizzas and soda to a community fundraiser. TPN's Annual Community Guidebook, published every January, promotes local organizations and upcoming events for the year so people can attend and provide support. "The entrepreneurial spirit is growing in Bucks County," says Donna. "I think owning and running your own local business is a better option than working for corporate America, and I encourage more people to go for it and give it a try." TPN is the home of the Morrisville Times, Yardley Voice, Newtown Gazette, Northampton Herald, Langhorne Ledger, Lower Southampton Spirit, New Hope News and the Doylestown Observer. For more information about Time Publishing Newspapers, contact 215-702-3405 or visit www.timespub.com.

This Month's Top Stories:
Morrisville
Yardley
Newtown
Northampton
Langhorne
Lower Southampton
New Hope
Doylestown