Skip to Content
Local News

A Prologue to the Kids’ Issue

Kids Newspaper Camp 2

Newspaper Camp at ARTrageous Adventures (Photos by Tim Sheridan)

This month, we decided to go "old school" with the Kids' Issue. That's right — back to the basics — with paper, scissors, paste and whiteout.

Our editor, Craig Wilson, and I were inspired to do this after we were invited to sit around the kitchen table with Susan Lenfestey and review old Kids' Issues from the '70s and '80s. They were so original, organic and unconstrained by digital software.

When the opportunity presented itself to partner with ARTrageous Adventures, an art studio in Kenwood that focuses on extracurricular art education for kids, Craig officially decided to drop the usual digitally laid-out format.

This approach gave the kids a more holistic education in what it takes to put a newspaper together: curating stories, making decisions around spatial constraints, editing, reserving space for advertisers, and more.

Unlike in the past, kids nowadays are less familiar with print, and we had to help them understand how to "read" a newspaper and work in analog. ARTrageous made the whole process much easier with their expertise in inspiring kids to creatively problem-solve during "newspaper camp."

Hill & Lake Press staff members, including columnist Susan Lenfestey, advertising manager Barb Davis, photographer Tim Sheridan and editor Craig Wilson, visited the camp and spoke with the kids about their roles in putting the paper together every month.

We received our Kids' Issue submissions from our local drop site at Sebastian Joe's, digitally and the ARTrageous journalism camp. Our Kids' Issue would not be possible without this broad community effort, incredible talent and time.

We couldn't be happier with the results! Special thanks to Amanda Vallone and her staff at ARTrageous, Hill & Lake Press contributor Karin Olson, Hill & Lake Press Board Member Brian Lucas, Sebastian Joe's, the Uptown UPS Store, and Hill & Lake kids and parents for their hard work, creativity and passion.

We hope you enjoy this very special edition of the Hill & Lake Press highlighting the talent of our local kids!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Hill & Lake Press

ICE Traffic Stop Near Kenwood Park Raises Alarm Among Neighbors

A Jan. 3 traffic stop by federal immigration agents near Kenwood Park left an unattended vehicle behind and raised questions among nearby residents about how to respond when witnessing ICE activity.

January 3, 2026

Silver Threads, Golden Needles: Stitching Together 50 Years of the Hill & Lake Press

From cut-and-paste to digital layouts, a cofounder looks back on 50 years of neighborhood journalism and community building.

January 1, 2026

Letters to the Editor

Local residents weigh in on bike safety, compassion for unhoused neighbors, and debates over caucuses and ranked-choice voting.

January 1, 2026

When Ice Hits Home

A personal essay on immigration fear, family and what it means when ICE anxiety moves from headlines into family ties.

Neighbors Report Police Raid at 2815 Hennepin Avenue

Residents and businesses describe a high-risk police operation at a Hennepin Avenue storefront as questions remain unanswered.

January 1, 2026

The Uptown Winter Wonderland Market Warms a Cold Day

Residents braved wind and snow to gather at Uptown’s Winter Wonderland Holiday Market, reflecting on shared history and community spirit.

January 1, 2026
See all posts