For 125 years, the Whidbey News-Times has covered the news and events of importance to its readers.

There have been those occasions that the newspaper has ruffled feathers and been the direct target of a “shoot-the-messenger” mentality.

That’s all a part of any good community newspaper’s history.

And it’s that unique history that we invite you to celebrate with us during an open house 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at our Oak Harbor office, 31955 State Highway 20, across from Big 5.

We will be serving free hot dogs and popcorn and giving away balloons and prizes. It’s our way of saying “thank you” to all of our readers, advertisers and staffers past and present.

We’re not only recognizing 125 years as an active and vital business within the North Whidbey community, but also more than a century of journalistic independence and integrity.

There’s no doubt that newspapers like the News-Times have adapted or evolved in response to the challenges created by the Internet and increasingly competitive landscape. For a time, some people took glee in sounding the death knell for print newspapers.

That tide has shifted. We are seeing our subscriber numbers climbing steadily as we embrace our web presence and people return to the newspaper because of its independent voice.

More than once during the past year or so, readers have told me they allowed their subscriptions lapse in recent years but are coming back because they like what they are seeing in our pages.

Winning back those subscribers speaks directly to the talented and dedicated staff that currently works for this newspaper and take seriously the role the News-Times plays in people’s lives.

As we reflect on the past century of covering your community and the evolution of the newspaper from its founding in 1890, we eagerly look forward to the years ahead.

From the hot-lead presses of yesteryear to the Goss press that seemed huge in the 1970s and 1980s to the mammoth press that produces our newspaper today, it’s mind boggling to ponder what the next 125 years might bring.

While I don’t expect to be around for the 250th annivesary, I’m proud and humbled to play just a very small part of the rich history of this local newspaper.

There’s no greater feeling than to know you’ve done your best and helped to keep people informed along the way by covering the news regardless of the slings and arrows it sometimes draws.