The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

It is no secret the year 2020 has brought on new challenges and with challenge comes change. Changes are coming for The Haxtun-Fleming Herald; owners Spring Atchison and Candie Fix announce the sale of their building along Haxtun's main street. Although there will no longer be an office location, publication of the weekly newspaper will continue, as will the sale of office supplies.

Atchison and Fix have been at the HF Herald for over 20 years, both beginning their careers in journalism during their time at Haxtun High School with the publication of the Bulldog Bulletin.

The two officially purchased the publication and office space from Jean Gray in January 2011. Since then, the industry has seen a number of changes, but not quite like what small businesses have seen this year in the midst of a global pandemic.

When the nation shut down due to COVID-19 in February, Fix began working from home and Atchison maintained modified office hours at the Herald Office, located at 217 South Colorado Avenue. That location has been home to the newspaper for decades. According to Gray, when she purchased the building a number of years ago she learned that the space was once home to the Haxtun Harvest in its early years.

"As soon as we moved in, people kept coming in to ask me if I knew the Haxtun Harvest was in the building," Gray said. "I didn't know that when I bought it, but I was happy to learn that. One woman told me that the old linetype machine was located in front of the huge window that was in the front of the building and the kids loved to stand outside and watch the guy set the type. I had that plate-glass window removed and put in the two small windows to make it more efficient for heating and cooling the building."

Since the onset of COVID-19, Fix has remained working from home, which allows her to be more flexible with working hours while also being a mom to her three children. Once the sale of the building is final, Atchison will do the same, allowing her more time at home with her three boys.

"The decision to sell our building has not been one we've taken lightly," Atchison said. "Although I am excited for the opportunity to work from home and the freedoms that will allow, I am sad to leave the place that has been a second home to our families for years."

Atchison and Fix have signed a contract to sell the building to Brandon and Julia Biesemeier. The Herald office will remain open until Nov. 13, at which point the Biesemeiers will take ownership of the building and begin to convert the space to a woodshop, which offers future business possibilities.

"I look forward to seeing what Brandon and Julia's new venture will be," Atchison said. "I am always eager to welcome Haxtun's entrepreneurs to our business community."

Publication of The Haxtun-Fleming Herald will continue as normal each Wednesday. Papers may be purchased at newsstands at Haxtun Super's, Cenex ZipTrip and The Daily Grind. Yearly subscriptions are also available.

Earlier this year, the HF Herald launched a new website, allowing readers more options for reading and sharing information. The site also gives access to place advertising and news information online at http://www.hfherald.com. Readers can also purchase subscriptions to the newspaper on the website with one and two-year options. News items and advertising may also still be placed via email at [email protected] and [email protected]. All deadlines are Monday at noon.

In addition to the newspaper publication, Fix and Atchison added office supplies to the Herald business venture in 2012 when Pat Kamery retired from her office supply business. The two purchased Kamery's inventory and added a store front in their building at that time.

As with plans to continue to publish the newspaper, the two plan to continue to offer office supplies locally. All orders will need to be placed via email or phone by Thursday at noon for Friday delivery. While the Herald office is still open, all inventory will be discounted. Continue to watch future editions of the Herald for sales on inventory and in stock items.

"I think that the sale of our office building will ensure that we can continue to be viable in the coming years," Atchison added. "This year has presented unique challenges for all small businesses and I encourage our community to remember to support local enterprises."