The Rotary Club of London meeting on January 26, 2026, was a truly storied one. Our guest speaker, Barb Botten, publisher and owner of Villager Publications, shared her remarkable journey of building a thriving print media organization in an era dominated by online content. Barb spoke passionately about the power of local storytelling — how telling the stories of people within a village or community creates connection, belonging, and pride.
What began as a single community publication serving Byron has grown into 12 Villager magazines, each rooted in the communities they serve. Barb credits this growth not to chasing trends, but to listening — listening to residents, to their experiences, and to the stories that matter most to them. Her message resonated deeply with Rotarians: when we take the time to listen and share authentic stories, we strengthen the fabric of our communities. Thank you, Barb, for reminding us that even in a digital world, local voices — and local stories — still matter.