What is the secret to publicity in a small-town newspaper? Ask for it. I send the squib about our monthly vespers to the religion editor (who is editor of about everything else) three weeks in advance every month. This month we were rewarded with placement on the front page of the Friday religion section, including a photo of the Shrine chapel. We get in the paper the week before and the day of (our vespers are always on a Friday and always at 6 p.m.).

The most rewarding moment last evening was a very elderly lady in a wheelchair who had seen the announcement in the paper and insisted upon attending - she was thrilled and told us so afterwards. We were all almost reduced to tears.

The moral of the story - get out there and "just do it." And let people know about it. If you build it, they'll come.