Ramona Home Journal Enters 10th Year in Publication
By Ruth Lepper

Darrel and Carol Kinney have published their monthly news magazine in Ramona since 1998. Photo by Jennifer Skinner

Carol Kinney had an idea in 1998 for meeting the community's needs by publishing a monthly newsmagazine. That idea has grown through the years and the award-winning publication is starting its 10th year this month.

"The community wanted more to read than what was available to them," said Kinney, who has an extensive background in advertising sales. "They wanted more features to read. Such a versatile group of people needed more to read to be able to hold their attention."

Ramona Home Journal has provided just that.

"Since the beginning, we have been able to offer a variety of feature stories about Ramona by some great writers," Kinney said.

Shirley Wells, Ken Woodward and now Darrell Beck have brought history to life with their knowledge and love of Ramona's past.

Pam Greer, Jim Evans and Tracy Rolling have made local events, people and happenings something readers look forward to reading each month.

The Journal's journalism award winners - Ruth Lepper, Ernie Barrera and Johnny McDonald - have used the newsmagazine format to bring features and columns to readers on subjects ranging from entertainment and people to politics and news events in Ramona and San Diego County.

The magazine is known for its style and generous use of color.

"The color we take for granted today was not used at the community publication level for news publications," Kinney said.

"That and saturation mailing gave the Journal a strong hold in the community and was well accepted as a benefit to both readers and advertisers."

The magazine style of using articles of interest on gardening, finance, health and many other topics all helped the publication grow from 20 pages in the beginning to 56 pages today.

After a few years, Darrel Kinney joined his wife in publishing Ramona Home Journal.

"It's evolved into an opportunity for both of us to work here full time," he said.

The Kinneys take pride in being able to provide their employees with the opportunity of doing something they enjoy while being in a friendly work environment close to their homes and families.

The Journal employs graphic artists, advertising sale representatives, freelance writers, columnists and office staff.

"It's great to see owners of businesses in Ramona who have been here 20, 30 years, and some even longer, because they help other new business owners to feel that Ramona is a good place to get started," Darrel Kinney said. "That brings jobs and growth."

There now are two Journals - Ramona Home Journal and Julian Journal, first published in 2001. Circulation in Ramona is 14,000, mailed to residences and made available at numerous businesses. The Julian Journal, with a circulation of 12,000, is mailed to all post office box holders in Julian, Borrego Springs and the backcountry communities, as well as distributed at local businesses.

Both publications have been honored with awards for excellence in journalism by the San Diego Press Club, competing with non-daily newspapers countywide.

The Kinneys took another step forward in the publishing world in 2005 with the introduction of the Julian Guide, a semi-annual publication aimed at the tourist trade.

The fourth edition is due out this month.

The Guide has been so well received by the Julian business community, the Kinneys have added another milestone to their growing list of publications by starting the Ramona Guide. The first edition also is due out in April.

The combined circulation of the Julian Guide and Ramona Guide will be 90,000.

The Kinneys have lived in Ramona since 1985, moving here from Atlanta. They take an active part in their community in addition to being publishers. Carol is a member of the Ramona Rotary Club and was one of the first ambassadors for the Ramona Chamber of Commerce. She later served on the chamber's board of directors and currently is on the board of directors for the Julian Chamber of Commerce.

Darrel is now an ambassador for the Ramona Chamber of Commerce and also serves on the board of directors for the Ramona Senior Center.