Meet our Publishers...
Some people have a knack for putting pieces together, whether it is a 400 piece jigsaw puzzle, a 4-foot long quilt, or a 40- page newspaper. Amy Carter is one of those “piecing” people. Together with her husband Dave, the Carters publish The Country Register of Virginia; The Country Register of Pennsylvania/West Virginia; and The Country Register of New York.
Add to the picture two adorable young daughters at home and Grandma and Pop-Pop two miles down the road and the publishing business becomes a true family affair. The grandparents -better known as Merle and Gail Taylor, publish four other Country Register papers (MD, DE/NJ, IN, NC/SC).
This all began several years ago when Amy was job hunting in the Tidewater area of Virginia. Dave was flying F-14 planes out of Oceana Naval Air Station, leaving Amy time to find a position that would make use of her degree in marketing and advertising and allow her to stay home with their future children. Publishing appealed to her. She’d been advertising manager for The Herald, the campus paper of her college, Western Kentucky University. Inspired by her parents’ success with their first paper, Amy started publishing The Country Register of Virginia in 1999.
Publishing allowed Amy to be a stay-at-home mom when daughter Rachel was born, thanks to modern technology. Dave began to fly commercial airlines after leaving the Navy. Amy organized the household to manage efficient use of space and time in order to piece together the paper - still spending lots of time with Rachel. Soon Dave became more involved. He knew about small family business – his mother has always owned sewing machine shops. He began to share in the administrative tasks. Soon the couple took on new challenges as publishers of The Country Register of New York in 2003 and The Country Register of Pennsylvania/West Virginia in 2005 – just weeks after younger daughter Grace was born.
Amy often tells people that Rachel’s and Grace’s baby books will be a series of newspaper photos. Indeed, readers look forward to snapshots of Rachel, now 6, and Grace, 2, blowing out birthday candles; building a snowman or showing off Halloween costumes. Editor’s notes in each issue mention the girls’ milestones: first word; first loose tooth, first day of kindergarten. It reminds us all how quickly time flies!
Of course, each issue features uplifting stories about home décor shops; charming bed and breakfasts; antique collections and other advertisers. There are details about favorite collectible lines and needlework trends. Many readers head straight for the calendar, a convenient and extensive listing of shows and events. Simple recipes, easy-to-follow projects and contests are featured. There are also helpful hints and cheerful bits of wisdom scattered throughout. Colorful artwork graces each issue’s front page like soft, seasonal gift wrap. Amy chooses from submissions of known and unknown artists to reflect the theme of each issue, and the results are pretty enough to frame.
While publishing three quality newspapers from home and parenting two young children would be a challenge for anyone, Amy and Dave are fortunate to share the load with their parents. When deadlines loom, Dave’s family is delighted to fly up from South Carolina when possible to lend a hand with Rachel and Grace. Amy’s family assists with the graphic design, other facets of the paper and playing with Rachel and Grace. It is Amy who then puts it all together; piecing like a quilter; determining where to contrast darks and lights; where to place the written word and the visual designs; where to put the sharp edges and the soft edges of the jigsaw puzzle-- until all the pieces fit together for yet another issue.
Amy & Dave Carter
The Country Registers of VA - NY - PA/WV
Toll Free Phone: 866-825-9217
Toll Free Fax: 866-261-9641
Website: www.CountryRegisterOnline.com
PO Box 365; New Market MD 21774
