Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Ann Reinhall
Hi Lori Ann, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always loved to write, and I have always loved my Nordic heritage. While in high school, I wrote for the school newspaper, where I also served on the editorial board, where I learned more about what it meant to be a journalist. Once at the University of Washington, my studies focused more on Scandinavian languages and literature, but I certainly did not stop writing. I also got to travel the world, learning other languages, which led me to a career in software localization and online publishing.
When I retired, the opportunity to work at The Norwegian American newspaper came up. It seemed like a perfect fit. At first, I was only going to help out a few hours a week, but soon I realized it was a calling for me to work at North America’s oldest and only Norwegian newspaper. Soon I was at the helm as editor-in-chief, with the mission to revitalize the paper with all that I had learned in my previous career. The ownership of the paper was transferred to Norway House in Minneapolis during my seven years at the paper to provide a stronger base for the future. Recently retired, I am passing the torch to a new younger generation there. The paper’s new managing editor, Line Klevmo Beaumer, is a transplanted Norwegian now living in the Twin Cities.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle any newspaper faces today is keeping on sound financial footing. Our paper publishes a monthly print edition and continuously online, and paying for all of this is a challenge. Many readers no longer want to pay for quality content and turn to social media for their news. It is an unfair playing field that has led to serious compromises in journalistic integrity.
Keeping the print edition of the paper has been extremely important for us and our readers. There is something wonderful about holding something in your hand and reading the printed word there and not on a screen. It is essential for the older generation and novel for younger ones. In many ways, creating a newsmagazine with relevant content and a beautiful print layout has driven our quality effort, as opposed to publishing solely online.
With the move to Norway House, we became a nonprofit entity. With time, the staff at Norway House has become more involved in supporting the paper in terms of resources and community connections. The mission of the newspaper to “connect readers to their heritage and build bridges to contemporary Norway” aligns perfectly with Norway House’s mission as the epicenter for all that is Norwegian in North America.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What I am most proud of is creating something that has perhaps influenced the lives of others in a positive way. That said, I have tried to curate news from Norway in a “realistic” and balanced way. It’s about cooperation and problem-solving. I have been involved with Sister Cities International for many years and serve as president of the Seattle-Bergen Sister City Association. I believe I understand the value of meaningful people-to-people exchange in creating a better world.
The paper has also given me the opportunity to explore many of my own personal hobbies and interests, including art, travel, and music. I am a trained musician, and I have especially enjoyed writing about Norwegian and Norwegian-American arstists, while I have helped promote their careers.
Community service is also very important to me. It is in my DNA. My father was a veteran of World War II, and in his subsequent career as a banker, he was very involved in community outreach. It was the same with my mother, who was a strong supporter of the schools. I am proud to carry on in their legacy.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
While I am a native of Seattle and still live there, my working life with the paper has been based in Minneapolis. What I like about the Twin Cities is the openness to other cultures. There is pride in heritage—in this case, Nordic heritage—but there is also a strong outreach in a global or international sense. This is a big component of the Norway House mission. People in the Midwest are also very friendly, which is refreshing, coming from the “Seattle freeze,” where people tend to stick to themselves. There is also a modesty that I appreciate.
That said, there are times I wish Midwesterners could be less modest and more self-confident. In the case of the Twin Cities, there is a lot to be proud of. The area is so rich in both business and culture, and there is so much to experience in the entire region. Even in retirement, I plan to visit often to experience more of it.
Pricing:
- $70 annual print + digital subscription
- $35 6 mo. print + digital subsciption
- $30 annual digital subscription
- Unlimited access to digital archives with all subscription plans
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.norwegianamerican.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanewspaper/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norwegianamerican
- Other: https://www.norwayhouse.org/
