|
| |
|
|
| |
ABOUT US
The County Line was founded in 1999 by P.A. Geddie
to give residents and visitors of East Texas a convenient place to
find special events, music, and restaurants, and fun, inspirational
and informative stories that serve reader’s interests. It promises
to be a “county line” to connect small towns, big towns, and their
rural neighbors.
P.A.’s background in publishing began at the tender age of 11 when
she put together and distributed (to four people) a self-illustrated
collection of poetry and stories by herself and others called
“Mush.” She began getting paid for her obsession in her twenties by
producing newsletters in every company in which she worked. Moving
to San Antonio in 1989, P.A. worked for a variety of publications
holding positions including reporter, editor, production artist, and
freelance writer for several years. During this time she began her
own publishing and promotions company, PARAGRAPHICS.
Moving to beautiful East Texas in 1997 P.A. immediately saw the need
for an entertainment guide and a venue for light-hearted, meaningful
and positive stories — an alternative to the hard news heard daily
from newspapers, radio, and television. In 1999 she set out to
produce a free publication for Van Zandt County and to find
advertisers to pay for it. Many businesses jumped on board and with
a few advertising dollars in hand the County Line began
printing and distributing 5,000 copies in January 2000.
From their very first issue and those that followed they presented a
calendar of events, music listings, area attractions, restaurant
listings, and stories by local writers on topics of great things to
do in the area, art and music happenings, country living, aging
gracefully, horses, area landmarks, festivals and pageants, rodeos,
and kids crafts, and excellent local people profiles, poetry and
fictional short stories.
Two County Line original writers became monthly columnists
and are still featured each month. Barry St. Clair’s Reel Time
covers humorous and meaningful stories of his great adventures that
entertain even the most amateur “outdoor” man or woman. Humorist
Jerry Tolbert keeps everyone laughing every month with his column
Tolbert’s Tales.
In September 2001 talented artist Vern Dailey joined the County
Line team by illustrating Tolbert’s Tales and in May 2002 he
began Kid’s Korner to the delight of children and adults. Vern’s
characters Mr. Wiggly Worm and Muffin are well remembered by those
who grew up watching the Mr. Peppermint show based in Dallas and it
is a real treat for many to see them continue in the County Line
each month.
Over the years a number of regular columns have been added to the
pages of the County Line: Talk of the Town highlights
special events and presents information on the people, places and
things in the county; a Business section informs readers on
business happenings; Click & Double Click helps readers work
better with their computers and the Internet; Bookmarks
shares worlds of adventure, mystery, romance and good information;
Grits & Gourmet includes restaurant listings, reviews and
recipes; and Body Language features stories to help improve
health and a better outlook on life.
County Line publisher P.A. Geddie’s brother Tom Geddie
contributed a few stories in the early years of the County Line,
primarily Texas-related music reviews and features since that is his
main interest and something he does for a number of publications
around Texas and the nation. His submissions to the County Line
began to increase after he moved to East Texas from Dallas in the
latter part of 2004. He helped to launch the Best of Van Zandt
County (now Best of The Upper East Side of Texas) and poetry
contests as well as contributed great photography (in a former life
he was the photographer for the Dallas Ballet). He branched out to
write — not only great music features —but also stories about
abandoned animals, education, prison ministry, World War II
veterans, hurricane evacuees, friends, chocolate, dating, book
reviews, event features, and much more. In 2006 Tom took charge of
the calendar of events and of, no surprise, the music listings, and
eventually he began gathering stories for the Talk of the Town
and Business sections. Now he also manages the East Texas
Attractions, Poetry & Prose, and many more of the magazine’s
regular and special features each month and has his own
special-dear-to-his-heart writing space, The Country Folk
Eclectic Music Column.
As the County Line gained popularity over the years, the
demand for more copies had them increase their distribution to 6,000
in 2004, 7,000 in 2005, and to 10,000 in 2006. Others around East
Texas often asked for the County Line to expand distribution
into their territory and “shine a little light” on the rest of East
Texas. Already covering some events, people and places all over East
Texas it was a natural transition for the County Line to
become “The Upper East Side of Texas Magazine.” Effective with the
April 2007 issue they now distribute in parts or all of ten counties
including: Delta, Henderson, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Rains, Smith,
Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood. Current distribution is 20,000 copies
with that number expected to grow rapidly as it gains popularity
across East Texas. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
This page last updated
May 02, 2008
|
|
