I asked. You answered.

Over the last two weeks, I’ve prodded readers to tell me why they read/buy the paper. I received several calls and emails, as well as replies over Twitter and Facebook. They came from Mainers here and abroad.

Thankfully, only one came via a reader’s washroom. He shall remain anonymous to protect his privacy and the public. (He knows who he is.)

Several themes emerged from the responses. Two were widespread: You are interested in local news, event listings and advertising from local businesses, and newspapers are your morning habit.

“I drink my coffee black, but I don’t know if I could enjoy it without my morning newspaper,” said Jeff Marsh of Shawmut, who echoed the sentiments of many, regardless if you take cream or sugar.

(For the record, I take a splash of half-and-half.)

Many of you also told me reading the paper is important to you, not for what it specifically contains, but also what it represents.

“I am an avid reader and always make it a point to read something from the newspaper to my grandchildren when they visit,” wrote Joan Kirby. “In today’s world, I feel they are not exposed to the newspaper, do not watch the news on TV and certainly do not get it on Facebook.”

Jill Lang, of Hope, told me that “news is a habit.”

“I also feel that everyone should be an informed citizen,” she said. “Though not everyone would agree, I believe it’s our obligation as Americans.”

I’d say I agree with that statement.

Now let’s turn to format. What surprised me from the responses how many reader prefer the physical paper to online. Marlene Patten in Litchfield said everything she reads is printed out — even her email.

“To me, it is more relaxing,” she wrote. “I guess what it comes down to is that I feel I can take my time browsing through the paper … and truly just not feel I need to rush to get onto something else.”

Steve Hoad in Windsor talked about how he would miss his computer if it were gone. “There’s something holding the reading material that is, well, just like holding on to reality,” he said.

(Steve’s a newspaper devotee, though he’s never read one, because of blindness. His computer reads to him via text-to-speech software. If he could, he wrote, he would get five newspapers just to hold them in his hands.)

It was great to hear from Mainers-in-exile, like Richard Riley in Florida or Michael Denis in Kentucky, who keep up with the local goings-on through kjonline.com and onlinesentinel.com.

They both like to follow local politics, which for those living elsewhere in the country must be a fascinating spectator sport.

I also had two enlightening phone conversations, with Mrs. Negri and Mr. Stanley. I appreciate them taking the time to call. Mrs. Negri told me about using the newspaper to plan her and her husband’s life through the events calendar. They get everything they need in one place.

Mr. Stanley told me about run-ins with prior editors, and asked some insightful questions about the newspaper production process. He learned that we dislike our deadlines and typos as much as he does.

He also mentioned something that floored me. It is quite different, he said, to consider a newspaper editor approachable.

And as a former public relations person, he should know.

If there’s one perception of the paper I hope to change, it is this.

There were many more responses than those I cited here, and I appreciate everyone who took the time to call. I think I got back to everyone, but if I overlooked you, it was not intentional.

To me, this is the start of a good conversation. So many so-called experts and pundits are bleating about how nobody needs a newspaper anymore.

After hearing from all of you, I can say with certainty they are dead wrong.

Anthony Ronzio is editor and publisher of the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel. Email to aronzio@mainetoday.com.

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