S2E2 Rachel Scofield- Pickerington Online

Episode Highlights

• Rachel Schofield shares the inspiration behind starting Pickerington Online, stemming from her journalism background and a desire to provide accurate local news
• The online magazine began during COVID, with a print version added later to cater to readers who prefer physical copies.
• Pickerington Online generates revenue primarily through advertising, with rates ranging from $50 to $500.

Key Insights

• The lack of communications officers in local government bodies poses a challenge for gathering information.
• Collaborations with the Pickerington Violet Township Historical Society have led to popular projects, including a 1970s Pickerington slideshow.
• The magazine has helped promote local fundraisers and community events, contributing to their success.

Community Impact

• Pickerington Online organizes an annual Earth Day cleanup event, which has grown from 20 volunteers to 150 in recent years.
• The magazine's coverage of the new canopy tour at Black Lick Woods garnered unexpected attention and became their most popular story.
• Rachel's intern program provides valuable experience for students and supports various community events.

Business Advice

• Rachel advises aspiring local news entrepreneurs to build a community of supporters before investing too much time and effort.
• She emphasizes the importance of organization, goal-setting, and breaking tasks into manageable steps.

Personal Insights

• Rachel's aunt serves as her "number one reader" and unofficial editor, helping to keep her motivated and on track.
• She expresses a desire to improve her public speaking skills, as she finds writing easier for precise communication.

Future Plans

• Rachel hopes to expand Pickerington Online's coverage and potentially establish a physical location that could also serve as an art gallery.
• She aims to create a chamber internship program, connecting students with local businesses for real-world experience.

Pickerington Online
Pickerington Online Facebook
Pickerington Historical Society
Columbus Hardscapes
Sorso Coffee
Green Columbus
Coyote Run
Blacklick Woods
The Night Circus
Greatest International Scavenger Hunt

https://cosmosandcommerce.com
https://www.facebook.com/cosmosandcommercepodcast

Transcript

Rachel Scofield
===

[00:00:00]

Janis: Hello,

Michele: everyone. Welcome back to another exciting episode of cosmos and commerce. I am Michelle Cook and joining me as always is the fabulous Janice Francis. Janice, how are you doing today?

Janis: I am fantastic. Michelle doing great. Ready to dive into another great conversation with our amazing guests. And today we've got some really special, someone very special lined up, right?

Michele: Absolutely. We have the incredible Rachel Schofield with us, the powerhouse behind Pickerington online. We're going to chat about her journey, the ins and outs of running an online city magazine, and maybe even a few fun surprises along the way. But first, Janice, I have to ask you, would you rather have an endless supply of Cosmos or an endless supply of breaking news stories?

Janis: [00:01:00] That's a tough one. I'll take both. No let's go with it.

Yeah. Let's go with both. After all, what's better than sipping a good drink while you're diving into a great story, right?

Michele: Exactly.

Janis: We can just stories. Let's get Rachel in here to tell us hers.

Michele: Great choice Janice. right. Let's not keep Rachel waiting. Without further ado, welcome to the show, Rachel.

Rachel: Hello, thank you for having me.

Michele: Yes. 

Janis: so happy to have you.

Yes. So let's dive right into it, Rachel. What inspired you to start Pickerington Online? 

Do you have a background in journalism? 

Rachel: Yes, I do. I have a bachelor's degree in newspaper reporting from Ohio State and cognitive area of photography, and then I work for all three of the now defunct Pickerington Community Papers. And then what started it was I [00:02:00] was helping for BSA Troop 256 get their local government merit badge.

It's something that they need in order to get an Eagle Scout rank. And we were talking about issues. that were happening in the community at that point. And among those were the bond issue to build a new junior high. And also the city of Pickerington was talking about putting sidewalks along Columbus Street.

And these kids who were not looking forward to local government class, were very excited because those were things, all of a sudden, politics. And they went to the crowded junior highs and a lot of them actually walked along Columbus Street in the dark to get to Ridgeview. And so they got passionate and asked to go to a city council meeting [00:03:00] so that they could talk to the city council.

Officials directly and say, hey, yeah, I don't want to walk in the mud and the snow and the grass and the dark to get to school each morning. And they did go and speak and then afterwards I spoke with a lot of the officials there because I knew them from reporting on Pickerington in the past.

And They started talking about not having the local news, which I knew, but it had affected them in terms of how much they could tell the public. And then I started thinking about on social media, which is now the go to of how people get their news. A lot of things. People, events fundraisers were not being promoted.

Maybe those organizations do not have a very good social media presence. And so they were not getting their information out. Secondly people. In terms of news articles government and that kind of stuff. Schools were [00:04:00] filling that gap by making up rumors or taking a rumor and turning it into gossip.

And that can lead to dangerous consequences, people getting hurt. And so I wanted to make sure that the truth, what was actually happening was being broadcast instead of. This mob mentality that can come from hearsay online. So a combination of

promoting the

Michele: Solidified

start my 

Rachel: Preventing the bad.

The rumors that eventually lead to hurt misunderstandings, that kind of 

stuff.

Michele: Yeah. That makes a lot of sense.

or

Janis: Awesome. 

Michele: So is that like the that really 

going to business 

or

there another pivotal moment?

Rachel: Yeah, I asked my husband, Jim. He's an accountant in town. 

Do you think people would read local news if we published it. [00:05:00] He's you can give it a try. 

And so that's how

we ended up starting a business.

Janis: I love it. So was that your very first story, or if not, what was your very

first story? 

Rachel: I've actually been doing reporting since elementary school. Let's see my first published story in an actual newspaper, maybe Ohio State's Lantern. I did a Story on their tax accounting team that was competing nationally and then I got a regular beat covering local school government.

And then I guess

after graduating from Ohio State, I was given the city beat for Grove City, and 

then I got moved around to different suburbs, and that's how, so I don't know what my first story would be officially, I guess my first paid one was probably covering Grove 

City.

Michele: When did you first publish your first story for Pickerington online? When did you kick that [00:06:00] off? 

Rachel: We started actually during COVID. 

So almost

five years.

Michele: geez, it's been that long

Wow. 

Janis: you started 

the print version. 

Rachel: yeah, it's not very many people know about the print version. There were several members of our community who said that they don't like reading news online. They want to have a paper version. Especially the senior community. And so we started the print version about two years after the online

one.

And That is through subscriptions. People 

buy a year subscription for 30 and it's delivered to their door. 

Michele: Or 

Rachel: around town that,

also have them like Humble Crate. 

Janis: Yeah. I love having people take them all the

time. 

Michele: Yeah. All of our clients sit there and read them while they're waiting. Do

Janis: Right. 

Michele: You have any employees

that help you out? Are you a one

woman show? 

Rachel: I do have other employees. I have someone who [00:07:00] actually does the layout for the print edition. And then I have interns who high school and college age who write a lot of the feature stories feature stories being the ones that are not necessarily covering government or anything.

It's more of the fun, happy, come see this play. This person has a new book, that kind of stuff. And then I also have the messenger actually the Columbus messenger still has papers. just not in Pickerington, and they've shared some of their stringers with us. A stringer is a freelance reporter who's tied to a newspaper, and so they've shared

stringers as well.

However,

we're, the number of Stories we publish is based on how 

much advertising revenue we have to pay 

the different reporters and stuff like that.

Michele: Oh, okay. So is that 

how you generate revenue is from advertising

or is there other [00:08:00] ways you got, you make 

Rachel: yes. Right now it is only through advertising. We do have subscriptions for the paper copies. But those pretty much just pay for the printing. There's not a lot of profit 

in the print version. It's mostly from the online Advertising 

is the how Pickering online is 

funded

But I mean there are other options 

Michele: somebody wanted advertise, what is like the rate, like the range? 

Rachel: Yeah, it's a range based on whether they If they want to be at the top of the page, if they want to be just on 

certain topics, like you could advertise just on the police reports, which is not a bad deal because that's a very popular part of the online paper. And then there's some people who just want to be in the print edition.

And the rates [00:09:00] go from 50 to, I think the highest is

500, just on where you want to be on the page, or

if you want to be on both. 

Anyway, so there's a range for people who want to 

advertise.

Michele: Yeah. That's pretty reasonable.

Janis: Yeah.

Michele: What's been the most unexpected challenge you've faced since starting Pickerington Online? How'd you overcome it? 

Rachel: I don't know how unexpected it is, maybe a little bit. The Pickerington community, the three major governments here, the school board, the city, and the township, Violet Township, none of them have a communications officer. Pickerington schools had one for a while, but not anymore, and they're, so basically without a communications officer, a PR person, they don't have anyone sending information [00:10:00] or even easily accessible to ask information from for instance let's say the Career Center.

They have a PR person who is sending me 

press releases. I don't know. Every other day. So you'll see a lot of coverage

from the Career Center. Not only are they doing awesome things, but I'm hearing about it. And all I have to do is copy and

paste

that. And it's Now, I'm not getting anything from 

Pickerington.

But okay, real quick, the 

The cheerleaders won the state championship.

Janis: they did. Yes. 

Rachel: I traveled for two months to talk to somebody there to 

give me like, just some pictures and hey, yay, we're really proud of these girls and nobody responded.

Janis: saw it on social media. 

Rachel: yeah. 

Some of the parents and stuff posted. They were proud of their

kids.

Janis: And then, 

Rachel: They even went to the city house and met the governor and stuff

like that. Nothing that 

I could get from them.

Janis: Oh

Michele: deal.[00:11:00] 

Janis: yeah. It is a big deal. Yeah. 

Michele: That is a pretty big challenge then to overcome when you're not getting any communication from them. 

Janis: Yeah.

Yeah. Maybe that's something we can all work on. As community leaders, right?

Talk about a unique or creative project you've undertaken with Pickerington Online that you're particularly proud of?

Rachel: Yes we have a lot of partnerships with the Pickerington Violet Township Historical Society. We've helped out them and they've helped out us. And so a lot of times we will do tie in stories or projects with whatever they're featuring at the museum that month. And two of them really stick out.

One time they were talking about local legends and we Along with the auditor, who also happened at the time, the county auditor did a map of different places around the county that were supposed to be [00:12:00] haunted. We went to those different locations and we Made a slide show that we ended up putting on YouTube along with all the local legends and stories, ghost stories and that was fun and popular.

But probably the most popular project we did with them was that they were celebrating the 1970s in Pickerington. And so with information from their archives along with yearbooks that the library has, we a slideshow of 1970s Pickerington. And it was very

popular and it was set to 1970s movies and it

also had like popular culture things thrown into that And

I'm looking forward to more

collaborations with the historical society. I

think even though we're news, it's fun 

to look back in the history

as well.

Janis: Peggy is fun to work with stuff like that. And I remember that 70s thing with her dressed in her

hippie, [00:13:00] hippie outfit.

Rachel: Standing outside. Yeah. 

Janis: Yeah. So 

how does Pickerington Online contribute to the local community and what role do you see it playing in the future?

Rachel: Yeah. We do help a lot with getting the word out there for especially current events. Our, Numbers boost way up when it comes to a holiday or something because we have the information of when the parade is going to start and that where you need to be and even like flag day, we had a large I guess that's a memorial day, but people want to know where the things are and so we're very helpful that way in terms of letting you know where the community events are without having to figure out on Facebook who is the one hosting it and blah, blah, blah.

We also have been lucky in that we helped different fundraisers. There was a little girl whose family was doing Columbus [00:14:00] Hardscapes, actually. They were trying to raise money to build a back patio because she had a form of cancer that was light sensitive. And so they

built a patio that was covered and Columbus Hardscapes actually 

took money to try to help with that project and to create sort of a side 

non profit where they would do other projects for families 

with special 

Janis: I love 

Rachel: they could build. 

Janis: I didn't know 

Rachel: And then there's a couple other times that's happened. There was a girl at North who needed a assistance dog because she had. A disease that left her mobility challenged and we did a story on that and Sorzo coffee actually took the story also and said, okay, we'll also have a fundraiser.

You buy this, whatever we'll give the money

to. And they were able to, that's happened

quite a few times actually, [00:15:00] where we've had

people with fundraisers or.

that we were able 

to bring

attention to so that more people in the community 

could help out with.

Janis: , you also organized so many volunteers and everything 

for Arbor Day, right?

Rachel: Earth Day. Yes. So one of the things about writing and covering news is that sometimes you get swept up in the stories and stuff like that. And so a couple of years ago, in terms of Earth Day my daughter, who also for me. There was a Creek cleanup at Walnut Creek. They actually do it every year at the Metro park.

And we wrote about that. And she's let's do that. All right. So in October we're waiting in the Creek collecting tires and stuff. And she said, we need to do this in Pickerington too. So the city already had an earth day for its employees. They like take the morning off and they pick up litter around.

So we [00:16:00] asked to join the. City of Pickerington's cleanup, but to offer it at a time when community members didn't have to take off work. And so that was two years ago that we started that. And we had 20 people show up that first time. And then we started working with combustion and coyote run.

And last year we had a hundred volunteers. And then this year we had 150 flyers. Pizza came and gave us free pizza. We've partnered with Green Columbus. So they give us all the supplies and, that got to be really big. And we were not only able to collect litter in the parks and stuff, but we've also we're able to remove invasive species, trees, plants that shouldn't, taking over from this year we did Sycamore Park and David Haig from Coyote Run.

He led that effort. He's been working there year round. [00:17:00] He's removing the invasives. And so that day on Earth Day, our volunteers went and planted hundreds of trees in the places where he had removed the invasives. So if you go down to Sycamore Park by the cover bridge from the, you'll see that it's A lot clearer woods.

It's not all brush and stuff is and hopefully next year, then the wild flowers will be able to come up through anyway. So yeah, Earth Day has been very successful and we hope to keep doing that. We also volunteer especially my interns. We help out a lot of different community groups throughout the year.

We helped with the chocolate hop in the village. We also help run Wizard Fair. We actually, with Peggy, we, last year we started Wizard Fair and it was, we didn't know what it was going to be like. It's, for those that don't know, it's a renaissance festival. We started in Pickerington's Victory Park as part of Fairfield County's Wands and Wizards Weekend.

And the [00:18:00] first year we had 1, 400 people show up and it looks to be even bigger this year. And my volunteers, they dressed up, they led the kids in games. The city has us at Halloween, we run a ghost tour. Last year it was also like a scavenger

hunt, murder mystery.

Yeah, there's a, we do a lot of community service.

Probably every month there's some organization that we 

help out Pickerington

online and it's interns.

Janis: Cool.

Michele: That's awesome. I love hearing about that. So I want to back to business I want to know how your online magazine has positively impacted a local business or maybe even a business individual, but have you, has your story like done major things for their business?

Rachel: That's a good question. I've never actually followed up. We [00:19:00] do promote some businesses, especially if they're doing fundraisers that we're careful though, because if we promote

one, then like 10 others will want to join. And

at some point we can't just

do it for free. Oh, we can do like PR stuff, 

but 

That's a hard one 

Michele: I know you published a story for my business for the 

grand opening and it was really great. A lot of our clients are like sitting, reading your magazine

and they're like, Oh, they're right here. They're in this magazine. awesome.

You for that. 

You don't want a whole 

bunch of other businesses coming and asking you, we're doing a trade. I 

am interviewing Rachel for the podcast and she 

published a story for me.

Rachel: Okay, that'll work All right we [00:20:00] actually did a story for you, about your grand

opening Which I, heard was a 

huge I know how PickRead and had to that. But, 

How how, do you feel it helped your business?

Michele: Yeah, I'm sure it 

did, but we had 200 people, probably at least I, we at least had a hundred 

Rachel: much 

Michele: minutes, but we had to start a line. We had to lock the 

door before we even started because people were like bum rushing us. But yeah we estimate 200 people came in two hours. So it

Janis: was, big. I'm just proud. It was a great, it was a great ribbon cutting.

Michele: Yes. Thank you for promoting that for me. 

Rachel: You're welcome.

Michele: Okay. Can you share a memorable story or article that significantly 

impacted the community or garnered some unexpected attention?[00:21:00] 

Rachel: The one that got the most unexpected attention, and is actually the most popular story we've ever printed, was just a couple months ago, we shared about Black Lick Woods having their new canopy tour open.

And I thought it was cool because we go to Black Lickwoods and we were waiting for it. So I, it was mostly something that I knew my family would care about, maybe somebody else would.

And it went like crazy. Everybody wanted to know about it. 

Janis: Yeah. 

Read about good 

Rachel: and that surprises me because I would think it would have been something,

I don't know, less wholesome, more gritty crime kind of thing that

would be the number one article. But luckily it was something good.

Yeah. 

Janis: their community. And that's like very cool. Cause every, a lot of people go to that park around here. [00:22:00] 

Rachel: Have you 

it yet? 

Michele: yeah.

Janis: did. I haven't been 

yet? 

Michele: neat. It's going to be really cool in a couple of years when all the foliage grows back. 

It's right 

Rachel: Yeah.

right now it's 

got this mud pit.

Michele: Yeah. I like they should have a little 

animal like sanctuary so that you can look at all the animals. 

Rachel: Oh, Yeah.

Michele: That'd be cool.

Janis: Yeah. 

Michele: When you, had that black, like story come out, how do you measure if it's successful or not? How do you measure if a story is successful?

Rachel: actually a couple ways. If people are Sharing it they want other people to know about it or say hey, let's go to this so a lot of it has to do with social media comments also Just the statistics that I can see from my website saying okay this many people Were on this site and [00:23:00] actually read the article instead of just reading it Clicking through it or what it tells how long someone is actually reading it instead of clicking on it by mistake And so that one people really cared about they were sharing it.

They were reading it They were and I think that they actually had a bunch of crowds again. You're talking about businesses

know a lot 

Michele: we

park on the 

Rachel: Read and Online played into that, but a lot of people did go, and it's still busy, you have to

figure out what time you're

going to go there 

to enjoy

it.

Michele: Yeah, I know. 

When I went, had to like

of the road cause it was so busy.

Rachel: really? 

Janis: brand new when you went, I mean, like maybe the novelty will wear off and then the 

people that go there daily will have

more of,

a time to enjoy

it. I 

Rachel: Sort of off definitely off topic,

Blacklick Woods has done a lot of cool stuff recently. I mean, they have the lights over the 

walkway, and they, 

yeah, anyway, it's a good park, we're lucky to have it so close. [00:24:00] 

Janis: haven't been there in ages. We used to go ride 

in. Ride the 

bike and run there a lot. And I just haven't been there probably in years, probably since even before COVID.

Michele: Their main trail, they

Janis: Yeah. Yeah, we definitely will for sure. 

Michele: Okay, what's your favorite police report? 

Rachel: at, in Pickerington, I won't say where, but anyway. And while he, she was inside, he decided to light up some marijuana. But, because of the way this chair kept hitting that canister, it had busted a hole in it And so when lit 

Michele: game 

Rachel: he blew up the inside of the car, 

he had some burns on his hands and stuff, but he was okay,

Janis: one that 

that the I thinking, but that's a good one. 

Rachel: Oh, what were you thinking

of? 

Janis: Wasn't where threw, dog poop somebody? [00:25:00] Remember 

one? 

Rachel: Oh yeah. Someone bought online for a hundred dollars, a Lincoln

Janis: Yes! Yes! Yes!

Rachel: and then they went to the to get the Lincoln Continental and they decided that it was not worth a hundred dollars and so they wanted their money back 

Janis: wasn't 

Rachel: person no, you you take it, I'm

person pants 

and,

Janis: Oh, that's right. It dog

poop. 

Rachel: the bumper. It wasn't dog 

Janis: That's right! That's 

Rachel: the 

Janis: That's right!

Rachel: sock or something, I can't remember sure, wiped. And then they took that sock and

smeared across left it stuck on And, And yeah, that one was something [00:26:00] else. do you position yourself 

to,

Michele: I'll a follow up there.

Janis: Yeah, that takes talent for that. 

Rachel: 

Did you see, there was one recently, I'm thinking it was Heritage. 

Where the guy called the police because keys had stolen. 

Michele: Yeah. 

Rachel: then they brought it up surveillance and he just put it in his pocket. Hahaha. 

Janis: Just look That's 

Rachel: on Is 

Janis: They're generous with their pores, 

Michele: else that's the last stop for everyone. 

Janis: Yeah.

Rachel: the one 

Michele: No. 

Rachel: Twins the one

Michele: Twins is end one by CBS. 

Janis: one in the end. Wow. So [00:27:00] 

Rachel: by 

Michele: going by 

Subway? 

How do you, manage your time between being journalist a business 

Rachel: I have tried to write things down, and then the people say, I didn't say that. And so, being on email, I know that what I wrote down, I didn't have to write it down, because I copied and pasted it directly from their email.

And I also can go back, and I email all this I've interviewed to make sure that I've covered them correctly in terms of being organized as a reporter in Terms of being organized as a business owner. I've actually learned a lot from actually the whole

Like visualization of where you want to be and setting your goals and so your podcast [00:28:00] Yeah manifesting and so Once a month sitting down and saying okay. This is what we want to accomplish this month and then making it happen

I guess we haven't done that more than a month at a time, but it's small steps instead of looking at the big picture doesn't seem so overwhelming. I also do a lot of writing down in a day planner 

Janis: I 

Rachel: try track of, okay, this coming you need to be here, that kind of, stuff. I need to 

Michele: a 

Rachel: something about writing it down 

Michele: can you share 

a 

personal habit or routine that contributes to your success? Maybe you just

Rachel: this is probably a little weird, but I have an aunt who's lived in Pickerington her whole life, and she's probably my number one reader, [00:29:00] and if days without having a news story, she calls and nags me. She also nags me if the Like I could have any impact on what the criminals were doing or alleged but 

so actually she helps a lot and Keep me motivated and 

on 

Janis: you on your toes, isn't she?

Michele: content 

Rachel: you. 

Michele: she will. If she's 

your number one fan, she's going to 

eat up all the 

Rachel: She is, and she's good at, she's also like, know that, 

Janis: A editor 

Rachel: a typo on this page, and that link is 

Michele: All 

Rachel: she also is a, 

Michele: publication 

Janis: free 

Rachel: yeah. 

Michele: right. What advice 

looking to their own [00:30:00] 

Rachel: That's tough. Because actually, in Fairfield County, there's another one on the other side. like a independent Lancaster newspaper and had about the same readership as ours and they have been in business a year, and they just announced that it's too much work, and they're closing and

And it is a lot of work so I Guess my advice would be is to, before you invest too much time and effort on your own, build up a community of supporters who will help you because it is impossible to do it all on your own. And at first you're not going to have the resources to 

hire too many people. So again, trades or people who just are excited about what you want[00:31:00] 

help support newspaper or

to 

Janis: good

advice 

Rachel: volunteering 

Michele: for any 

Rachel: true. 

Janis: would think 

Michele: know if I didn't have a bunch of friends telling people about me, I would be nowhere. 

All right. 

Yeah. 

Janis: time for our quick fire round We'll ask you some quick questions and you tell us the first thing that comes to your mind 

Rachel: Okay, 

Janis: You ready 

Rachel: I'm 

Janis: Okay 

What is the book that you've most given as a gift or the book that made the biggest difference for you 

Rachel: I did not read a lot of non fiction. In terms of fiction, there's a book called The Night Circus. That I've recommended quite a few it's story, it's really entertaining. [00:32:00] And I think it's going movie soon, actually. So, The Night 

Michele: purchase 100 or less has most

Rachel: When one of the kids was in middle school, I bought uh, spice from Daily and it's so nice spices that you can go and out of the backyard dried spices 

Janis: Yes Yeah 

Rachel: so I would 

Janis: I've got a I love

own herb garden 

Rachel: of a difference than 

Janis: Just go out my oregano 

yeah,

So what is an unusual 

Rachel: the Oregano 

and thyme seem to 

live every year. 

Janis: say again 

Rachel: Oregano and thyme seem to come back each most of the others, you need to replant. 

Janis: My chives always come

Rachel: Yeah,[00:33:00] 

Janis: I don't bring them in all

unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love 

Rachel: um, there's this, it was canceled last year, but there's this international scavenger hunt for charity called, um, GISH, the World's Anyway, basically, the largest, it's an international scavenger hunt and you have puzzles that you have to solve, and they sometimes lead to other puzzles, and it also, they have, it's all for charity, and so some to charity, or going out and dressing up in a, Particular costume and handing out food or, and I did that with my family they came up with some really creative, fun things.

Like one of the things was one year, a challenge. was literal olympics so they used the example of they had and my kid came of doing [00:34:00] steeplechase so he made a church steeple he wore and then his siblings ran after him and And you got points for each submission, and you could win a prize, or the big thing was that there was a book that you could make if you were creative enough or had the best whatever, you could make the book.

the desk calendar, the book, and we never got, teammates did, but, so, the gish scavenger hunt, I think, is our unique thing. Oh, one of the things was we had to, make a, um, 

Michele: do all 

Rachel: dominoes track, we had to make little gingerbread people and line Yeah, 

Michele: Fun thing to 

Rachel: Yeah,

I'm proud of this accomplishment. I'm proud of a lot of the

Janis: [00:35:00] to 

Rachel: To get, 150 a pretty big deal, I think. but 

Janis: deal and it grew so much from 21 year the right 

Rachel: volunteers is Well, I talked about how I have interns who, um, go out and do community service, and they also write for me and stuff like that. And some of the writing has been influential. Um, for instance, one of the writers a couple years ago they were only in junior high at the time, wrote about what it was like to be in the crowded halls of Ridgeview.

And I think that people understand more about the bond issue than anything About hey, it costs this much about your taxes, and there's the numbers Having the numbers was not as influential as having concrete examples of what those numbers mean in real [00:36:00] So I'm really proud of these kids all the They've got a reputation as being very responsible, reliable volunteers.

They're just not doing it for hours. They may not show up. They will be there. They will do what you want. they also do great writing and articles. I would like to expanded. one thing, a lot of my interns are graduating and moving away. But second of all, I think that concept could be used with other businesses.

So think I'm going to approach the city and the chamber or the schools in the chamber about creating chamber internship program where we match, um, Students with the industries that they might be interested in trying out. And they also could also participate in the same fundraiser, charity, non profit, volunteering. I just want to expand my volunteer program to I also think that the kids get, they not only, [00:37:00] in my case, they get published, but they also have stuff to write on their resume, but, um, kids getting actual businesses, or marketing, or that kind of stuff that they want to go into, I'd like to see that more, build a better, a bigger relationship between chamber and the students. And, um, 

Janis: keep 

Rachel: But I haven't talked either one of those yet. So I don't know if maybe you want to 

Michele: to 

Janis: can 

Rachel: poach 

Michele: skill you would like master

Rachel: Speaking. Communicating. , other than written wise, I'd like to be a better public speaker or even, , not get so awkward when talking about myself. . , I'd like to be more comfortable speaking. , writing is so [00:38:00] much easier for me because I can spend the time figuring out exactly what word best covers what I'm thinking at the time. And I often have gaps when I'm speaking because, like, okay, that word is not quite need to describe what I'm 

Janis: first 

Rachel: more And, it's just so I guess public speaking. 

Janis: your 

Rachel: grew up in, , West Virginia near a small college and my first job was working in their cafeteria 

Michele: Where do you see in 

Rachel: I rode my bike over the hill to the other side of the hill to work in the cafeteria and then rode my bike back.

Michele: five years? 

Rachel: years, I've been , [00:39:00] I'm hoping that, , I will just be the Pickering Online will be going strong and that I will just be covering, , city council and township. , Because, , they are working really hard and they're misunderstood a lot of times., Then all the other stories, I have somebody else that I trust handling those. , People have suggested that I have a, like a, physical location, , like an office in downtown Pickerington, or the village. Maybe. That could be fun. I'd like to see, have a building where maybe there is an office for Pickerington Online, but the main floor would be, , more of a gallery showcase local artists. I mean, you have a lot of that at Humble Crate, but , more like a, a gallery with, you know, photos on the wall with, or pictures and sculptures and that Because [00:40:00] we have a lot performing artists and visual artists and, Pickerington and , need 

Janis: So 

Rachel: as a city, promote our yes, 

Janis: So universe, 

a a space in the old 

a pump up song. If you're getting ready to do something, you have song that pumps you up.

Rachel: we listen to a lot of show tunes in this house. , so there's a song the end of R. E. P. that I like. , And I can't even think of the name of it right now, but, . , Or Mama, song is from Mama Mia. My youngest plays Mia quite a bit. And, , so all those songs that Abba made are pretty good. 

Janis: They [00:41:00] are. 

Rachel: Well, especially this time of year, it'd be Mojitos, because I can go in the backyard, get the mint. 

Michele: I have

a 

Janis: Yep. Uh huh.

Rachel: yeah. 

Michele: Nice

Rachel: And, um, you it with like, fruity, pineapple rum, something like that, yeah, 

Janis: Okay. 

too. Right? 

Michele: We'll 

have 

Janis: Okay, Rachel, last question. 

Rachel: Mojitos 

Janis: exclusive breaking news stories from the local community, or have the ability to instantly grow your readership by 10, 000 dedicated followers overnight?

Rachel: think that probably the increasing the readership, because that would Make B. Revenue allow me to hire more [00:42:00] reporters to cover more and it would be that you know This is endless cycle the more viewers you have the more stories you can to that have more viewers and that kind of stuff 

So I think 

Michele: tell 

Rachel: readers 

filling their needs 

from there

Michele: Yes.

Rachel, tell us how people can get ahold of 

you.

Rachel: The easiest way, , is to go to Instagram or Facebook and, , Pickerington online through there. , At 

Michele: it 

Rachel: Pickerington 

Michele: thank 

Janis: This episode of 

Michele: Cosmos. 

Janis: and Consumers. Yeah. And we're heading what? Gung ho into season two. 

Michele: Yes. Rachel's our first guest of 

Janis: First guest for season two. 

Michele: Cheers 

Rachel: I [00:43:00] 

Janis: Yeah. Yes. 

Michele: forward to seeing you all for the rest of the season until next time. 

Janis: fierce. I'm Janice Francis.

Michele: I'm Michelle Cook and thank you, Rachel Schofield for being our guest. 

Janis: Have a great day, everybody.