The Fort Drum Blizzard, which chronicles the lives of Northern New York Soldiers, Families and Army civilians, will be redesigned and renamed in an effort to reenergize the award-winning weekly newspaper.
The first, and most recognizable, part of the redesign will be a contest to determine a new name to replace Blizzard, which has been at the head of the Fort Drum newspaper since taking the moniker in September 1998. Previously, the Blizzard was known as the Sentinel.
"We have received comments recently that calling our newspaper the Blizzard may reinforce old stereotypes about Fort Drum, that its always cold and snowy," said Karin Martinez, Fort Drum command information chief. "With the redesign of the paper already in the works, it seemed like the perfect time to find a new name for the paper as well."
The paper's new name will be announced by the end of June and will be debuted in the masthead of the overhauled paper when it is published in the fall as a broadsheet, offering a different size and design.
The person whose suggestion is voted upon by readers in a contest to rename the Blizzard will be eligible for a prize from Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and highlighted in an upcoming issue of the Blizzard.
The Public Affairs Office is also taking suggestions for what readers would like to see in the redesigned post newspaper.
"If there is something that readers want that isn't already in the paper, we want to know. If its more sports, travel features or stories about our Families - we are here to serve our military community and want to tell the stories that you want to read," Martinez said.
Suggested names for the paper, as well as ideas for better news coverage, can be submitted to Karin Martinez by email to karin.martinez@us.army.mil. Emails must have either 'Name change contest' or 'Suggestions for the newspaper' in the subject line or they will not be considered.
Readers may also submit ideas in writing by dropping by the Public Affairs Office and filling out a contest/suggestion form. PAO is located in Hays Hall, Bldg. P-10000. Or mail to:
Public Affairs Office
Attn: CIO/Name change contest
10000 10th Mountain Division Drive, Room 108
Fort Drum NY 13602-5028.
Watch for more information in the Blizzard, on DrumTV, and on the web, www.drum.army.mil/sites/local/news.asp. DrumTV can be viewed on the web at www.drum.army.mil/drumtv, or Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. on your Watertown PBS station.
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