Having worked for the paper for 44 years, and 25 years as editor-publisher, I never imagined a career would have so many gratifying moments. Nothing is more rewarding than to hear someone say, “I see in the paper…” It means we have done our job by gathering the news and passing it on to our neighbours.
There are names and faces from the past that always bring a smile to my face when I think about them. There is no doubt that newspapers also attract some interesting characters to its ranks and The Recorder is no exception on that score.
In marking my 25th and the papers 125th, I wish to acknowledge the contribution made by the editors and staff towards this paper before my involvement and during the near 44 years I have been associated with the paper.
During the first six years The Recorder experienced the services of five editor-publishers. It was W.V. “Billy” Udall who brought stability to the Recorder. On June 29, 1905 Udall first became manager, then editor and publisher. Udall was responsible for the “community building” nature of The Recorder. With the exception of 1911, Udall edited The Recorder for forty years. To date he is the longest running editor. Upon his retirement in 1945, his daughter, Una Philips, became editor. Udall remained an associate editor until his death in 1962.
Una Philips (who later remarried and became Una Gillespie) served as editor for 11 years. At that time she was the only woman editor in the province.
In 1955 W.R. (Bob) Jones and Russell Jasper took over the paper. Both Jones and Jasper had newspaper backgrounds when they took over the publication. Jasper was a Boissevain native who had been part of The Recorder staff for eight years. Jones was from Winnipeg and had worked at a variety of papers. A fatal accident brought the team’s newspaper ownership to an unexpected halt. Jasper, 33 drowned in a boating accident at Lake Max in August 1963. A barge carrying 13 people capsized during a foggy night on the lake and Jasper was one of three fatalities.
Jones continued to run the paper on his own until selling it in 1966, when Miles Phillips took over on January 1. His newspaper experience was limited. Born and educated in Edinburgh, Scotland, he moved to Canada in 1952. He worked at a variety of jobs and spent a lot of time hanging around The Recorder shop with Jasper. He also took on writing hockey columns. Looking for a job that would keep him home close to his future wife, he decided The Recorder seemed to fit his interests. This was the start of a 33 year career as a newspaper man.
In 1999 Phillips decided it was time to leave the editor’s chair, and after nearly 20 years as Phillips’ employee, myself along with my husband Les, decided to purchase The Recorder. I have been involved in nearly all aspects of paper production from reporting and photography to design, production and office management.
The Recorder would like to have another transition of ownership. Although I have loved my job, I am now ready to retire to spend more time with family and to travel. I will continue to work with the paper to the next stage of its longevity, whatever fate may determine it to be. A community newspaper is an important part of the future of our rural communities. It connects community members, fosters debate, and instigates changes to improve our lifestyle. Readers value the news they can only get locally, bringing you the news that matters from a place you call home.
Later this year The Recorder will host a celebration to commemorate the 125th of this publication in tribute to our readers and advertisers. Without your support we would not be able to proudly celebrate 125 years.
by LORRAINE HOUSTON, Editor/Publisher