I’ve recently learned just how many publications for older adults have gone by the wayside. So many senior newspapers have vanished.

There was just something about having a newspaper designed for this community that made readers feel seen and happy.

Once upon a time, a network of us from up and down the I-5 corridor met every year to exchange ideas, laugh about mistakes, and talk about barely squeaking by. I learned a lot from that group. Today, as far as I know, only two remain. And Northwest Prime Time is one of them.

We are still here, albeit online instead of in print.

For more than twenty-five years, Northwest Prime Time has been part of my life. Publishing it has been a long education in what matters most as we age: connection matters, curiosity keeps us young, real-life stories have power.

From the start, our goal was to create something meaningful for older adults in our community—a publication that would make readers feel included and inspired. When I think about why Northwest Prime Time has endured for so many years, it wasn’t because we had the most experience, the biggest budget or the fanciest printing operation. I think it is simply because we perservered. We respected our readers and welcomed their voices—articles from everyday seniors alongside seasoned pros—offering useful resources, fresh perspectives, and uplifting glimpses into other people’s lives.

When I think back on the life of Northwest Prime Time, I don’t picture grand milestones. I remember the months we scraped by but still made it, the looming deadlines when everything seemed to go wrong, navigating the Great Recession, the pandemic, and a shifting digital landscape that ran nearly everyone out of business.

How that reluctant but necessary leap from print to online took every ounce of resolve.

One of the greatest privileges of running this publication has been sharing people’s stories. Stories are bridges—they connect us across ages and backgrounds, rippling out to readers who nod in recognition, laugh in shared humor, or find comfort in knowing they’re not alone.

Northwest Prime Time has given me a front-row seat to what our readers and the experts say makes life vibrant in later years. Aging well isn’t just about healthy habits; it’s about staying engaged with life and staying connected. Connection and curiosity are superpowers when it comes to aging well.

Over the years, I’ve read thousands of articles—from practical advice on “aging in place” to essays about lifelong passions or unexpected adventures. Each one reminds me that we’re never done learning, never too old to try something new, never past the chance to surprise ourselves—even when society tries to tell you those days are behind you.

Another part of the “Northwest Prime Time Philosophy” is that small interactions can leave big imprints. I’ve seen it many times over: a heartfelt essay shared in our pages leads to a flood of reader letters, or a resource article helps someone take a major step toward independence or joy. I’ve been astounded and humbled to learn that what we print—or now, post online—has the power to change someone’s day, and sometimes even their path forward.

Every decision we’ve made—from where we delivered papers to which stories led the front page to how we built our online hub—has been guided by readers’ needs. That connection has always mattered more than any ad campaign or flashy design.

These lessons, learned quietly over years have shaped my outlook on aging. If Northwest Prime Time has had an impact on the community, it’s because I’ve been lucky enough to share this journey with readers who remind me, month after month, what truly matters.

Twenty-five years on, we’ve shifted from a VW Bug stuffed with newspapers to an online hub powered by technology we couldn’t have imagined in the early 2000s. But the heart of it hasn’t changed. It’s still about connection, community and purpose.

One steady step at a time.