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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-10-11, Page 7A newspaper 'belongs' to its readers October marks the 10th anniversary of the found- ing of The Citizen. During the month Publisher Keith Roulston will recall some of the memorable moments in the paper's history. The Citizen was a rare bird when it was born back on October 23, 1985, being a community-owned newspaper, but has become more rare with each pass- ing day as independent newspapers disappear into larger chains. A newspaper must be a business or it won't survive, but it is more than a busi- ness: it is a part of the community. Edi- tors and publishers are simply caretakers for something that began (usually) before they came along and hopefully will be here when they've left. In a healthy com- munity people feel they own a piece of their newspaper, far beyond what their $23 subscription fee entitles them to. This can be hard on a newspaper staff. Doing all your work in a glaring light before 6,000 or so readers, having your mistakes or omissions com- mented on by those readers on a regular basis, can be wearing. It's also a compliment. It means that people regard the newspaper as important and that they care about what is, and isn't in it. A good newspaper won't be dictated to by the whims of readers, but will always have the best interests of its readers and the communi- ty in mind when deciding which stories get covered and which get the limited space available in each issue. Being a paper that serves two villages, six ham- lets and seven townships, makes serving out space for each area even more difficult. If The Citizen has succeeded (and most recent audited circulation figures from Community Markets Canada say the paper has a larger circulation than its neighbour in Wingham, a larger town) it is because of community commitment and hard work by our staff. From Bev Brown and Toby Rainey to Jeanette McNeil, Bonnie Gropp and Janice Becker, we've had staff dedicated to making this the best newspaper it can be. Though we've never had more than two people on our editorial staff, our reporters cover county council, county school board, Wingham provincial offences court, and many farm meetings, as well as village councils in Brussels and Blyth. Then there are hockey games and Boy Scout banquets and dozens of other events that have people out every night of the week and most days on weekends (we have the able help of Jason Gropp for weekend relief these days.) It's the tough task of our advertising sales staff to come up with the ideas to help our local businesses promote themselves and in doing so, also pay the bills at The Citizen (advertising provides 80 per cent of the paper's revenue). And behind it all is our support staff, people like Joan Caldwell, Dianne Josling and Jill Roulston, who quietly make sure the type gets set, the ads get put together and the bills get paid, and all of it on time. Along with our part-time assistants such as proof-read- er Lucy Hesse, camera operator Rose deBoer and Oscar and Dorothea Ducharme and Ross and Marg Bennett who do the mailing and delivery of the news- paper, they help make sure you get the best possible newspaper and on time! Serving the community Owned by the community A page of government Jennie Wildman, a Grade 8 student at Grey Central PS, was page person for the October session of County council, Oct. 5. With her are Grey Twp. Reeve Leona Armstrong, left and County Clerk-Administrator Lynn Murray. Y[12g47prOLD CA& MAIM, L> Aat go Oa. 'TA. Nam° vriitickOma? 11Mr: dab', FIREWOOD FOR SALE BIG SAVINGS Scrimgeour's Food Market Blyth 523-4551 Product of Ontario Canada #1 1.96 kg McCain FRENCH FRIES Assorted Varieties Frozen 1 kg Bag Cut from Canada A/AA/AAA Grades Beef Loin 6.59 kg Savings based on our regular retails. We reserve the right to limit quantities to normal family requirements. Values effective: Tuesday, ect. 10 - Sunday, Oct. 15 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1995. PAGE 7. bituaries GEORGE R. MCGEE George R. McGee of RR3, Wing- ham, passed away on Friday, Oct. 6, 1995 at Seaforth Community Hospital. Born in East Wawanosh Twp. on Oct. 4, 1923 to Leask and Bertha McGee, he was the beloved hus- band of the former Jessie Currie, dear father of Linda and Ralph Logan of Wyoming, Marian Strauss of Waterloo, Marlene and Don Procter of RR4, Brussels and Jim and Chris McGee of RR3, Wingham and the grandfather of Kevin and Trevor Logan, Jackie and Laura Strauss, Rob, Courtney and Cody McGee and Carl and Ellen Procter. He was predeceased by his broth- er James T. McGee and his sister Helen Viola Hunt. Mr. McGee was educated at Fordyce Public School and Wing- ham and District High School. A faithful member of Calvin- Brick United Church, he served on various boards of the church. Having chosen the life-long pro- fession of farming, he was keenly aware of the outdoors and the scenic beauty which surrounded the area where he lived in East Wawanosh. He was a quiet, compassionate, Christian person who was highly respected by everyone who knew him. He was very much loved by his wife, who was his best friend, his Greeters at Londesboro United Church on Sunday, Oct. 8 were Bill and Irene Bromley. Ushers were Ken and Laura Scott. John Jewitt playing bagpipes and Katie MacGregor on drums supplied special music. A minute for missions was read by Tracy Radford. The sermon topic was "Fresh family and was very interested in all their activities. He was especial- ly proud of his grandchildren. Visitation was at McBurney Funeral Home, Wingham. Rev. Mary-Jane Hobden officiat- ed at the service on Monday, Oct. 9, 1995. Interment was at Wingham Cemetery. Pallbearers were grandsons Kevin and Trevor Logan and Rob McGee along with Fred McGee, Allen Kikkert and Ivan Dow. Jackie and Laura Strauss, Court- ney and Cody McGee and Carl and Ellen Procter were the flower bear- ers. Memorial donations to communi- ty Nursing Services or Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) would be appreciated as expres- sions of sympathy. Mr. McGee will be sadly missed by all his family. May he rest in peace. EDWARD ROUSE Edward Rouse of Blyth, passed away at his residence on Oct. 2, 1995, at the age of 85. Born to Charles and Annie (Small) Rouse of Blyth, his life's occupation was bricklaying. He is survived by one brother, Ernest Rouse of Norwich and was predeceased by three brothers, Steve, Fred and Louis Rouse and three sisters, Sally Sandell, Viola Goldstein and Florence Bowen. He will be remembered by many nieces and nephews. The funeral service was held at Tasker Chapel of Beattie-Falconer Funeral Homes in Blyth on Oct. 5. Bread". Londesboro Lions held their regular meeting on Thursday, Oct. 5 at the Londesboro Hall. With work progressing on renovating the hall and yard several donations were received. A breakfast will be served on Sunday, Oct. 15 to raise funds for Lions' projects. The news from on Compiledomp led by June othergi Phone 523-4360 Bromleys greet at United Church Rev. Aubrey Bell officiated. Interment was at Blyth Union Cemetery.