Country Extra ... A Magazine about Country Life!
Written: Dec 05 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: gorgeous photography, articles, personal stories and humor, country life and experiences, find the needle game
Cons: not a con ... but it's a challenge finding that needle!
The Bottom Line: This magazine is for those who live the country life or wish they could.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Country Extra Magazine |
I have subscribed to Country Extra magazine for a long time. This magazine is part of the Reiman Publication family, and they produce quality magazines without advertising. Let me tell you why I like Country Extra.
Basic Layout
Country Extra magazine has a tagline that reads: For Those Who Live In or Long For the Country.
Each issue measures 10 7/16” high x 7 7/8” wide. The magazine has 68 pages. The paper is a nice weight, and the magazine has lots of full-color photographs. The print is easy to read, too.
At the front of the magazine is the Table of Contents with a section for the Feature pieces as well as an area listing the Departments. This magazine covers a lot of territory ... or should I say countryside.
There are several two-page spreads with a large scenic borderless photograph. One of those photos is missing the caption, and readers are challenged to guess where the photograph was taken. The answer is elsewhere in the magazine. Each issue also includes several pages with four recipe cards printed on each page. There are dotted lines to cut on if you wish to remove the “cards”. Just like a recipe card, a photo and description of the recipe is on one side with the ingredients and cooking instructions on the opposite side.
A special feature of this magazine is the "Needle in the Haystack" game. Somewhere in the magazine is hidden a drawing of a sewing needle. The publication is very clever how they conceal it. Find the needle and send the magazine a postcard with the answer, or go online to enter the answer. A prize is awarded to 50 people; the names are drawn from the correct entries. Prizes usually consist of a small item such as a country-themed calendar. I have found the needle many times but have yet to win a prize.
My Experiences
This magazine is a pure pleasure to read. The articles revolve around country life, and the magazine is filled with personal glimpses into farm and rural living. This review is taking forever to write because I keep peaking at the issues of Country Extra near me ... and then I'm pulled into a story or can't resist reading all the captions on the photographs.
The photography is breath-taking. There are scenic and nature scenes as well as photos that celebrate family and friends. Some of the photos are humorous, too. And there is always a touching photograph or story to tug at the heart strings. Along the margins of certain pages are quotes from well-known people. A poem is also in each issue.
I have even made a few of the recipes printed in the magazines. The recipe cards are easy to read and the instructions simple to follow.
A great feature of the magazine is that it contains hardly any advertising. I would say it contains no advertising, but there are a few plugs for products that Reiman Publications sells. So technically, you could say there is no "outside" advertising.
Some of My Favorite Sections (these are in each issue)
Country Shortcuts -- Readers write in their handy hints. The shared knowledge covers cooking, cleaning, crafting and hints that defy a category.
Can You Help Me? -- Readers ask help from other readers. Contact information is included for each request so that people can be directly contacted. Requests include instructions wanted for making crafts, the words to songs or poems, requests for specific recipes, and even requests for items people collect, or people send a photo hoping that someone knows what the item is.
Little Humor -- This feature reminds me of Reader's Digest where people send in short but funny snippets from daily life. These focus on children and the humorous things they say and do.
Little Extras -- Readers send in their photographs. Some of them are tender, others interesting, and some just plain laugh-out-loud.
The Way It Was -- This is a similar feature where readers send in old photos from their family albums. It's a trip down memory lane.
The Mailbox of the Month -- A great glimpse into creativity. Some of the mailboxes featured are ingenious works of art … or just plain crazy!
Subscription Price
This magazine comes out every other month; six issues a year.
This magazine costs $19.98 a year / 2 years $29.98 / 3 years $39.98 if the magazine is shipped within the United States. Each issue retails for $3.99 U.S. / $4.99 Canada.
Summary
I enjoy Country Extra magazine. Between the articles, stories and wonderful photography, it's a trip to the country without leaving my chair. This magazine doesn't stay with me either. Other family members borrow it, and each issue travels the neighborhood. I'm not the only one who likes it!
I hope you found this review useful.
Enjoy the day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Please read my other reviews:
Droll Yankee Tipper Bird Feeder -- squirrel proof
Deluxe Pyramid Composter
The Garden Claw
Upside-Down Tomato Garden
Rubbermaid Big Max Storage Shed
Black & Decker Cordless Battery Mulching Lawnmower
Copyright 2007 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
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