NORWICH – This month, the Norwich Pennysaver celebrates an impressive 75 years as a steadfast beacon of community connection in Chenango County and throughout Central New York. 

Originally designed as a print-based weekly, the Norwich Pennysaver began by offering classifieds, display ads, and community news updates to residents across Chenango, Madison, Otsego, and Delaware Counties. This free publication quickly became the region's go-to resource.

Whether it was helping residents find their next car or their dream home, the Norwich Pennysaver’s role went beyond business as it fostered a sense of community connection and support. The Norwich Pennysaver remains at the heart of regional life, reaching homes across the area. 

The origins of the Norwich Pennysaver include an inspiring array of successful publications throughout its rich history.

Since its beginnings in October 1949, when Ralph and Darleen St. Denny founded the publication under the name Chenango Valley Pennysaver, the publication has dedicated itself to bringing neighbors closer through local classifieds, advertisements, and essential community updates.

It didn’t take long for the Pennysaver to become a trusted regional resource for connecting residents with local businesses and services. The 1960s marked a period of early expansion with the acquisition of the Sidney Buyers Guide, which extended the publication’s reach into new communities.

In 1973, Richard Snyder joined the company, bringing a new vision for growth and innovation. Just a few years later, in 1978, Snyder purchased the company, rebranding it as Snyder Communications. This transition heralded a new era of regional growth as he guided the publication from a single community resource to a network of trusted editions.

Today, Snyder Communications publishes several editions of the Pennysaver, including those for Norwich and Sidney, alongside newer editions for Richfield Springs and Oneonta/Cooperstown, which were added in 1985.

By 1987, the company further extended its reach with the My Shopper publications for Schoharie and Montgomery Counties, followed in the 1990s by the Wharton Valley Pennysaver, serving the Morris and Gilbertsville areas. Together, these editions now reach homes across Central New York, strengthening the Pennysaver’s role as a vital player in local advertising and community engagement.

Snyder Communications acquired The Evening Sun, Chenango County’s daily newspaper, in 1994. This purchase brought the Norwich Pennysaver and The Evening Sun under the same roof, creating a powerful local media duo that provided comprehensive news coverage and enhanced advertising opportunities for businesses. Shortly after, Snyder Communications acquired the New Berlin Gazette, a weekly newspaper, cementing its commitment to local news.

The company established Sun Printing in 2001. This facility produces both The Evening Sun and the Pennysaver editions, supporting print production in an increasingly digital age. The launch of Circulars Unlimited expanded the print reach of the company by producing advertising circulars distributed across several states.

The Norwich Pennysaver took a significant step in 2006 with the launch of PennysaverOnline.com. This website brought the Pennysaver’s popular features such as classifieds, display ads, and business directories online, allowing new generations of tech-savvy readers to access its resources while maintaining a familiar print format for loyal, long-standing readers.

Adding to its digital innovations the company has introduced Impact Marketing Concepts, a division that combines a powerful digital and print presence for businesses across the region.

As the Norwich Pennysaver celebrates this milestone, its blend of traditional print values and forward-looking digital strategies has become an enduring symbol of community connection.