There's a new face in town. Take a look in the Mirror.

What Mirror, you ask? It’s the Manchester Mirror; “reflecting the community of Manchester, Michigan.” The Manchester Mirror is a brand new online news source with its finger on the pulse of the area.

This publication will be written by Manchester, for Manchester. Our goal will be to keep you informed about what’s going on in the community (and, at times perhaps, quelling rumors about what is NOT happening in Manchester!) We will try to reflect the unique personality of this village and its surrounding townships. We pride ourselves on being truly community-oriented journalists who live here, play here, and in some-cases work here. We are committed to Manchester … its people, its schools, its service clubs, its local government and institutions.

The venerable Manchester Enterprise holds a place in our lives and in our hearts. The Mirror does not expect nor does it aspire to replace this time-honored institution. We respect the integrity of the 146-year-old local newspaper but at the same time recognize that it cannot possibly know about or cover every event happening in Manchester from an office in Saline, Ypsilanti, or Ann Arbor.

Who are “we?” The Manchester Mirror staff is comprised of a small but dedicated group of Manchester residents, led by  Kathy and Mike Austin, Sara and Fritz Swanson, and Marsha Chartrand. We all have many ties to the community and a shared love for our adopted hometown. Collectively, we have more than 50 years of history in Manchester and our roots are growing ever-deeper into this community we call home.

There will be a variety of ways that you can “look in the Mirror.” First and foremost, will be the Web site, www.themanchestermirror.com. Stay updated throughout the week by “liking” our page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/themanchestermirror. Send messages to our editorial staff at themanchestermirror@gmail.com, and let us know if you have story leads or ideas to share, or even if you want to write a story of your own.

Of course, the site will include current local news, as well as a timely calendar of events for the Manchester area. Our “Neighbors” section will feature profiles of people, businesses, and organizations in Manchester. Do you know a person, a family, a business, or a group that deserves to be heard about? Let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or dropping an email to themanchestermirror@gmail.com. Are you interested in contributing? Check out our "Homefront" pages, which will feature home-grown articles, recipes, stories, poetry, and more. If there is an event that needs coverage, don’t hesitate to let us know! Chances are one of us may know about it, but we’d rather get 10 notifications than none at all. Sorry, at this time we will not be able to cover sports events but that is a plan for the future.

We are starting out on a proverbial shoestring and we need your support. As you've probably noticed, there is no subscription required to read The Mirror, it's free for everyone. We have start-up expenses now and as we grow we want to be able to expand our coverage of our great village. We need advertisers. Do you run a local business? We'd like to help you grow your business by advertising on our Web site. Do you shop locally? That's wonderful! Spread the word about the Mirror to the local businesses you patronize; and, if you see their advertisement on our site, mention it to them. Advertisers love knowing that their ad dollars are being well-spent.

You’ll be hearing more from each one of us in the days and weeks to come. We are excited about this venture and eager to hear how well you like what we’re bringing you. Be sure to send us your comments; we’d love to hear from you!

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.