The Easton Courier is an educational initiative and community journalism project from the School of Communication, Media and the Arts at Sacred Heart University. We welcome articles and letters to the editor from our readers and ask that they be written in a respectful and civil tone.

Opinion (Community Voices)

Letters to the editor may criticize actions and policies but may not contain personal attacks or unsubstantiated facts, and must be civil in tone. We will not publish anonymous letters or letters that are libelous or in poor taste. The Easton Courier does not as a general rule publish form letters or letters which are also submitted to other publications or newspapers.

Please be considerate and try to limit your letters to 400 words to allow our volunteer editors to review them in a timely manner.

The views and opinions expressed by the Courier’s community contributors, including editorial columns, letters, op-eds and messages from elected officials, and other commentaries are those of the individual authors. 

Articles, Announcements and Other Content

Contribute fact-based articles about local issues and share stories about special events, ceremonies, award presentations, clubs and organizations, elections, weddings and engagements, births, graduations, accomplishments and promotions. Local small business briefs are also welcome.

• Place the most important information at the top of the article.
• Include the who, what, where, when, and why.
• Be concise: avoid unnecessary words.
• Be accurate: check for completeness.
• Double check dates, times, places, and the correct spelling of names.

Write captions for photos. Include the name of the photographer if photo credit is requested.
Submit event announcements as early as possible, preferably a month in advance.
Don’t forget to also include a listing in the community calendar.

***SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE***

Attract Beneficial Insects to Your Yard

The so-called insect apocalypse has tracked a 45% decline in insect populations since 1974. The decline of pollinators and loss of biodiversity threatens life here in Connecticut and across the planet. A large number of species have disappeared, caused not by meteorites or ice ages but by human activity.

Learn how to help reverse the trend and attract birds, bees and beneficial insects to your yard and garden. Share the word with your friends and neighbors and the wider world beyond.

Beatrice Birdseye, professor of entomology at Wildlife University in Anytown U.S.A. will speak on “Restorative Justice for Beneficial Insects” on Thursday, April 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Easton Wildlife Refuge, 24 Peachtree Lane, Easton Conn.

Birdseye has written 657 research publications and taught related courses for 22 years. Admission to the April 21 talk is free to Bee Society members. A guest contribution of $10 is requested and appreciated. To reserve a seat, email RSVP@BeeSociety.org.

The Bee Society is a local non-profit conservation organization, founded in 2002, to preserve pollinators and biodiversity. For more information visit BeeSocietyBeeSociety.org.