Stamford Newsletter Keeps Community Connected for Decades

Entirely volunteer-run publication has served Stamford, Nebraska since 1967.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A weekly community newsletter has kept Stamford, Nebraska residents informed for nearly 60 years, operating entirely on volunteer labor since its founding in 1967. The Stamford Newsletter was launched by the local chamber of commerce after the town's newspaper ceased publication, and has evolved from a mimeographed publication to a modern newsletter distributed to 140 subscribers across the United States.

Why it matters

In an era of declining local news coverage, the all-volunteer Stamford Newsletter has provided a vital source of community information and connection for the town's residents for decades. The newsletter's longevity and volunteer-driven model demonstrate the power of grassroots efforts to fill local news gaps.

The details

The newsletter was originally led by a schoolteacher's wife, with news collected, typed, and printed on a mimeograph machine at the school. It has since moved to chamber-owned equipment and now accepts submissions by phone, text, or email. Each week, a volunteer types and prints the newsletter, and a group of volunteers assembles on Monday mornings to collate, staple, stuff envelopes, and mail the publication.

  • The Stamford Newsletter was launched by the local chamber of commerce in 1967 after the town's newspaper ceased publication.
  • The newsletter is published weekly.

The players

Stamford Newsletter

A weekly community newsletter that has served Stamford, Nebraska residents for nearly 60 years, operating entirely on volunteer labor since its founding.

Stamford Chamber of Commerce

The local chamber of commerce that launched the Stamford Newsletter in 1967 after the town's newspaper ceased publication.

Susan Bose

A volunteer who spoke about the publication and the importance of the volunteer effort in keeping it running.

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What they’re saying

“It wouldn't happen if it weren't for the volunteers. No one asks for any pay.”

— Susan Bose, Volunteer (1011now.com)

“If it wasn't for the newsletter, people wouldn't know all that was going on.”

— Susan Bose, Volunteer (1011now.com)

“It was fun to have somebody really recognize what we're doing in our small town. We love our community, and that's why we do what we do.”

— Susan Bose, Volunteer (1011now.com)

What’s next

The Stamford Newsletter team plans to continue their volunteer efforts to keep the community informed and connected.

The takeaway

The Stamford Newsletter's nearly 60-year run, powered entirely by volunteers, demonstrates the enduring value of grassroots community journalism and the power of local residents to fill information gaps when traditional news sources disappear.