GREENLAND "" Spring marked the release of the first edition of the Greenland Grapevine, the town's new newsletter, powered entirely by neighbors and friends.

The newsletter is not connected to town officials, is funded entirely through donations and advertising, and it's free.

Among the items included in the premier edition is one by Greenland's state Rep. Michael Marsh, updating residents on news of interest from Concord. There are pieces from town departments, library news, tax tips, recycling facts, school tips, introductions to area service groups and a calendar of upcoming events.

According to Greenland resident Trudie Bergeron, the idea for the newsletter came about when the town of Greenland, in conjunction with the University of New Hampshire, participated in the Greenland Community Profile in February 2006.

"We divided into groups and our group was the communications group," Bergeron said. "We wanted a written newsletter to mail to everyone, including businesses and post office boxes. We (wanted) to put it online at some point, but at first we wanted paper. We wanted it to not be controlled by the town. It's something for people to enjoy."

The group is looking at becoming a nonprofit organization. It already has a tax ID number and an account to handle the funds.

Bergeron praised Marie Hussey's talent for selling advertising.

"She went out and got all this advertising," Bergeron said. "She knows a lot of people in town; plus, she has a mail route and gets to see so many people."

Bergeron said they are going to need to add pages for the summer edition since a lot of articles have been submitted.

Bergeron explained the publishing process of the newsletter.

"Nancy Bassett sent out invitations to organizations, department heads and people in town. She gets submissions to me. I proof them and send them to a second person to proof.

"Tony Mann, our chairperson, puts them into software and gets it laid out, then we send it to a printer to put on pages and fold it."

Bergeron added that she hopes for people to submit pieces via e-mail.

TO SUBMIT

Anyone interested in submitting a piece for the Greenland Grapevine can send e-mail to GreenlandGrapevine@comcast.net. The deadline for the next issue is April 20. Grapevine's board of directors retains the right to edit copy and to reject articles of questionable content.