Start of 25th year marked

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

Oct. 20, 2005 - With the Oct. 20 issue, Country World newspaper begins its 25th year in publication.

My, how things have changed over the years.

When the newspaper published its first issue on Nov. 5, 1981, only 12 counties in Northeast Texas were included in the rural newspaper’s coverage area. Today, the East Texas edition alone reaches 60 counties.

Plus, we have a Central Texas edition, and a South Central Texas edition, making the coverage area of Country World, a product of Echo Publishing Co., about two-thirds of the state.

Country World also publishes several Special Editions. Initially, the dairy and beef industries were spotlighted, but now, Special Editions include crops and forage, equine, and the outdoors.

As technology advanced, Country World has gone global with its website (www.countryworldnews.com) and now even offers the newspaper to be “delivered” to your home or work computer through our new “e-delivery” subscription.

I look forward to other advances with this newspaper as we enter our 25th year. I’m sure in 1981 no one even thought about the advances we’ve accomplished today. I’m sure in another 25 years the advances for Country World, that will benefit our readers and advertisers, will be incredible.