Does a sports column matter in a weekly newspaper?

Every handful of years we run a survey in the paper and online to learn about the readership. The vital part, IMHO, is finding out what people who regularly read PGN really dig into the paper to read. And by regular, I mean you read something online or in print more weeks than you don’t. These are the readers who have found their reasons for being a regular fan and what they’re reading is critical for us to know.

The person who only gets a Pride issue and an OutFest issue each year and maybe flips through it once would be the other group that we would dearly love to hear from because we’re obviously missing whatever it is you’re interested in. (Of course, this not being one of those two issues makes that whole idea moot.)        

The best parts for us are that we get to know what’s worth writing about and what can be put to rest. And the best part for you is the chance to cop a $100 Visa gift card. And you can truly just answer the questions that make sense for you. No need to puzzle through whether you remember a column or columnist; you can skip any questions you don’t want to answer.

So, if you’re reading this, please make sure you either go online (epgn.com) or rip out the page up front and complete a survey — so we know if efforts like this sports column are worth the time. As much as I do like to get to the sporting events and go to your parties and banquets to cover who’s winning MVP and the like, I also know that my free time is very limited and if practically no one is reading the sports column, then maybe we can focus on another area. 

After you’ve filled out your survey, get out and play!

Stealing candy from children        

It’s officially the season of adults playing dress-up like 12-year-olds and holding out their bags and hands for a beer or pretzel. Once the only holiday that kids could enjoy without having to go to church — except for maybe Independence Day — adults blindsided the children and stole the night of candy and pranks for themselves.     

Enter the sports groups’ Halloween parties!       

From 8-11 p.m. Oct. 29 you can join those pretty people of the Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club at Stir for some discounted beer and well-drink specials. There will be prizes for costumes and everyone is welcome to join, costumed or not.

The same night, you can party hop over to William Way LGBT Community Center where, also from 8-11 p.m., the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League is having its fourth-annual Halloween party and bachelor auction. An annual fundraiser, several bad boys and lovely ladies are scheduled to go on the block to raise money for the organization. A flip-cup tourney is on tap as well. Tickets are $20 ahead of time, $25 at the door. See the group’s Facebook page for more info.

Short stops

  • Join the Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association at its Fall Ball in the Park social event 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 22 at FDR Park. The tennis courts are just inside the main entrance.
  • The Stonewall end-of-kickball-season party starts at 5 p.m. Oct. 23 at Field House. Drink discounts and special food items will be available.

Get Out and Play runs about twice a month to share with whom and where you can get out and play. Email: [email protected] to include your events.

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