Bio

Rockingham County born and raised, the publisher Lisa Finney Griffith started Eden’s Own Journal on her own in 1998 and over the past 25 years the paper has grown to what it is today. Elizabeth’s marriage and the move caused me to hire a go-getter named Ashley Foley of Eden, now assistant publisher, is bringing the paper further into the 21st century with the Facebook and Webpage Upgrades.

Eden’s Own Journal is the first countywide paper in Rockingham County and lives by the slogan

“Investing in Rockingham County’s Quality of Life"

Where We Started

“Investing in Rockingham County’s Quality of Life"

Rockingham County born and raised,  Lisa Finney Griffith started Eden’s Own Journal on her own in 1998 and over past years the paper has grown to what it is today.

Ashley Foley of Eden, now Managing Publisher, is bringing the paper further into the 21st century with the Facebook and Webpage Upgrades.

Eden’s Own Journal is the only countywide paper in Rockingham County.

 
WHERE WE STARTED
      Hi, I’m Lisa Finney Griffith, Owner and CEO of  “Eden’s Own Journal”.  

When Eden’s Own Journal ran its first edition in December of 1998, it joined the ranks of three daily newpapers and two other monthly’s.  Eden’s Own Journal is now the one and only countywide newspaper/magazine located in Rockingham County.

Eden’s Own Journal growth comes from the overwhelming support of local businesses and the community at large.        

        I grew up in the Happy Home community and moved to Eden in 1986. I began work at the “Eden Daily News” in May of 1986 when Richard and Beverly Robertson still owned the paper.

I started out working alongside the Production Manager, Charles Hopper, and Phillip Foley in prepress and the darkroom. This is where I got the “ink in my blood” experience of a lifetime.

Several years later, as technology advanced, I assisted everyone in the newsroom and design departments on the computer system, with my primary job in graphic design. By this time, the paper had been sold multiple times and had long been corporately owned. This change brought much non-local news into the paper and very little focus on Eden.      

My dream by then was to create my own community paper focused only on local news, free to the public. To do this, I had to have the support of local businesses, who would run ads that would provide the funds for equipment, compilation, printing, delivery, and other business expenses. Thankfully, very enthusiastic business owners helped my vision would come to life. These brave and trusting businesses purchased ads on just my concept design.  

  So, within 45 days of leaving the Eden Daily News, I had my first “Eden’s Own Journal” issue printed and in the hands of the public. Although small, only 8 pages, I had accomplished what I had set out to do: Provide a locally owned and focused paper. During this time I personally handled the sales, design, writing, layouts, and information gathering. I always had help from my family with the delivery.  The first issue was distributed on December 1, 1998. As you can see, this is my passion, not just my job.      

      Lots of prayers, support from my family, and hard work brought “Eden’s Own Journal” into being.
     
“Eden’s Own Journal” at the beginning was only Eden-oriented. With growth comes change, much of which happened over the following 10 years.    We eventually branched out to the entire county and in 2008, began two separate issues per month. This meant I needed help. Thus, my family came to my rescue. My daughter Elizabeth started working with me full-time, along with additional salespersons. We moved to a large office across in Eden. Yet, after a very trying two and a half years creating two issues monthly, my dream to be flexible and work my passion was fading. After much research and soul searching, the two-issue-per-month project ended, and we returned to a monthly publication. Whew, what a relief. I believe our advertisers were relieved, too.    
We closed the office on Hwy 14 and returned to my newly designed home office, where Elizabeth, my daughter, and I took on all of the sales and production work ourselves. I created sections for each municipality and kept the name “Eden’s Own Journal” but adopted the name “Rockingham County Star” for our countywide news section which runs throughout the paper. Now, back to one cohesive issue per month, we  added sections for the larger municipal areas, including Reidsville, and Wentworth, as well as Madison, Mayodan, and Stoneville.  
My husband David thankfully took over the Finance Department and Circulation work.
With time come’s change. My daughter Elizabeth married and moved away. I brought on Ashley Foley of Eden, who after 5 years has taken on the Managing Publisher’s position so that I can semi-retire and still be involved!
  Eden’s Own Journal has grown substantially with incoming news from all the various cities’ departments, chambers, senior centers, civic groups, and more, as well as the businesses sharing their news.        

     We are still free on approximately 130 stands throughout Rockingham  County. Our advertisers fully support the paper who share in our mission:  Investing in Rockingham County’s Quality of Life. Although we design the paper monthly, the advertisers are the ones who should be thanked for supporting the effort. Be sure to thank them! They make it possible to bring the paper to you free of charge.    

We print good news, information, schedules, events, features, and columns, which can help you improve your place in life. There’s enough bad news on the daily radio, TV, internet, and social media barrage. We need the support of all the county in getting out the good news that we all need to hear.  

  We are delighted to be here for the people, the businesses, and the cities that make up our fine county, and we hope to be for many more years!
 

What We've Achieved