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Tracy Scheckel lives in Ellsworth which is also home to her marketing firm, TS2 Consulting.
Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year — except for the ridiculous commercialism of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and people battling for this year’s “must-have” toy. I bake thousands of cookies, collect Santa figurines, and feel as giddy as a child five minutes after finishing the Thanksgiving turkey because, for me, that’s the official start of Christmas.
So, when I saw an article about Portlanders (yes, here in Maine) getting upset over the Monument Square Christmas tree having the audacity to feature some bare spots, my dander rose. I was ready to launch into one of those early-morning rants that make my husband consider banning newspaper reading until he’s had at least two cups of coffee.
But before I could utter a cranky word, I noticed a perfectly juxtaposed story about “Broke Neck Santa” in Belfast. This Santa has been a quirky fixture there for decades, ever since he was bought secondhand. His lopsided posture makes him look like he’s had a rough holiday season. Lore has it that his broken neck is a reminder not to lose your head in the Christmas crazies.
Belfast has embraced this imperfect Santa so wholeheartedly that Our Town Belfast even commissioned a Broke Neck Santa glass tree ornament as a fundraiser. My frown turned into a grin in less than a minute. Someone who usually boycotts Black Friday shopping, I made an exception and headed straight to The Grasshopper Shop to add Broke Neck Santa to my collection.
This little story reminded me of something else close to my heart that has little to do with Christmas spirit: the significance of print newspapers.
When I advocate for preserving print alongside digital media, I often compare newspapers to vinyl records. Just as the composition of an album — the song order, the division between sides — creates a unique listening experience, the layout of a printed newspaper is an art form. Thoughtful story placement adds layers of context and meaning.
In this case, the side-by-side placement of the Portland and Belfast stories felt deliberate and impactful. It made me smile, think, and connect with both stories in a way that wouldn’t have happened on a website.
Since I avoid reading news online when I can, I can’t speak to how these stories appeared on the BDN website. But I’m confident the experience of holding the paper in my hands and seeing these stories juxtaposed was far more engaging than scrolling through a webpage.
So, thank you to the BDN team for giving me such a wonderful example to share during my “print newspaper” tirades. My husband thanks you too — though probably for different reasons!
