The first issue of Wareham Week was published on January 21, 2010. That makes us 10 years old this week! 

It’s time for a walk down memory lane, reflection on what has changed and what hasn’t, and a few thoughts on where we are and where we’re going. And – oh yes – 10 years of photos.

Founding a new newspaper in the middle of the Great Recession – and in the middle of January -- was a bit of a leap of faith and a bit of foolishness. But it has worked. A good idea, worked on every day by talented and creative staffers, embraced by receptive readers, supported by a vibrant business community . . . does not need great timing to work. Whew! And thank you to everyone who made it work!

It is easy to think of “news” as the bad stuff: drug busts, fires, political battles, incidents that end in court. Yeah, we cover all that. But a community is more about the good stuff, as is community news. Check out the photos below. Picking a small group of photos from 10 years and thousands of photos is tough. We probably missed a few worthy contenders. But you’ll see a lot more happy than sad.

Looking at our first edition reminds me of how we have evolved during our first 10 years. We now have a different website, a livelier Page 1 design, more advertising, better photos, more content in general. We’ve clearly figured a lot of things out. We’re still figuring things out. As the world and media and Wareham evolves, we will evolve too. Ten years from now, will we be all online? Maybe. Maybe not. But we aim to be here, as a going concern, telling Wareham’s story to Wareham’s wonderful people.

Bring on the cake and candles!

Anne Eisenmenger is founder and publisher of Wareham Week.

From our March 13, 2010 edition: Pat Murphy broke the 1,000 career point mark on this reverse layup in the Wareham state championship game over New Leadership at the DCU Center in Worcester. By Andrew W. Griffith
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From our April 1, 2010 edition: An early morning 6-alarm fire destroyed a building at the former Ocean Spray factory on Cranberry Highway. Photo by: Sherbie Worthen
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From our April 15, 2010 edition: Veronica Lane, portraying a "Goth Pageant Princess," draws attention during filming for the independent movie "Seraph" at the Mill Pond Diner. Photo by: Andrew W. Griffith
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From our July 29, 2010 edition: English mastiff Henry Pepin “dogs” rather than mans the register at his family’s liquor store in West Wareham. Photo by: Jaime Rebhan
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From our November 23, 2010 edition: Hodar flashes the V-for-victory sign. Photo by: Melodye Conway
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From our February 14, 2011 edition: After a rogue swan meandered into Main Street, driver Brian Texiera took matters into his own hands and lured the bird to safety with the help of Doritos tortilla chips. Photo by: Jaime Rebhan
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From our April 7, 2011 edition: The competition was fierce at Petco in Wareham Crossing during a hamster ball race. Andrew, above, took home the top prize. Photo by: Andrew W. Griffith
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From our April 3, 2014 edition: The Yankee Doodle Circus rolled into town this weekend and put on a show full of acrobatic people and puppies for a packed crowd at the high school. Photo by: Andrew W. Griffith
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From our July 19, 2014 edition: Redcoats marched down Main Street with torches lit Saturday night towards the American militia’s encampment, where they warned campers to leave town by sunrise. The reenactment was held 200 years after the British invaded Wareham during the War of 1812. Photo by: Nick Walecka
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From our July 9, 2015 edition: Manny the dog waits in a carriage with his owner Jordan Flaherty, left, at the Onset Doll and Pet Parade on July 4. Photo by: Carolyn Bick
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From our August 6, 2015 edition: Hehvin Barnett tries on Chief Kevin Walsh’s cap during a CARE tour of the police station. Photo by: Carolyn Bick
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From our July 7, 2016 edition: Mayhem 2 was named the “Most Patriotic” during the annual Blessing of the Fleet on July 4, 2016. Photo by: Zarrin Tasnim Ahmed
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From our August 18, 2016 edition: Nick Nocha, of New Bedford, smiles in front of a colorful variety of clothes and jewelry he had for sale at the annual Cape Verdean Festival in Onset. Photo by: Matt Bernat
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From our August 24, 2017 edition: Barry Funfar makes a rubbing of the name of one of his friends on the Moving Wall to send to their family. Photo courtesy: Kristi Funfar
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From our July 12, 2018 edition: Lili Moretti, 7, of Carver is decked out in red, white and blue for the Onset Fireworks. Photo by: Meghan Neely
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From our August 2, 2018 edition: Jacob Burdette shows off a molted blue crab shell he found on Onset Beach during a Buzzards Bay Association program. Photo by: Meghan Neely
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From our August 16, 2018 edition: The Gatemen pause for a picture with the trophy after winning the league championships. Photo by: Andrew W. Griffith
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From our October 11, 2018 edition: Caeli Mclean, 7, of Quincy throws handfuls of cranberries during the final Cranberry Festival. Photo by: Meghan Neely
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