The Franklin County Business Community supplement of The Messenger is a unique product that has been around for two generations. It’s like a photo album, capturing memories and bringing back old faces. Although it may seem outdated in today’s era of camera phones and the cloud, it still holds a special place in our hearts. During holidays and anniversaries, these albums are pulled out to reminisce about family vacations, birthday parties, and more.
Former Messenger editor and co-publisher Emerson Lynn saw the need to showcase the energy, creativity, and commerce that drives the Franklin County economy, leading to the creation of this supplement 40 years ago. The first edition was published in 1983 and received an immediate positive response from readers who enjoyed seeing pictures of their friends and businesses they visited regularly. It became the Messenger’s premier product and was even adopted by other newspapers in the state for their communities.
In 2018, Jim O’Rourke purchased The Messenger and continued publishing the supplement. Its format was changed to a high-quality all-color magazine format in 2020. Despite being available on quick business searches on platforms like Google or Yelp, this supplement remains relevant in 2024 because it provides something special – holding an album in your hands that shows you who makes up the community’s family tree through its people and businesses. O’Rourke emphasizes that recognizing local businesses and their employees throughout Franklin County is truly impressive after 42 years.
