Softcover
All our bookstore-quality Softcover books are professionally printed with durable perfect binding, and a 4-color, 10 pt. cover with overlaminate. There are no cover flaps.
In this book, former partners, Clauws and Misselbrook take you on a creative journey of discovery as they chronicle the growth from one small town weekly newspaper to a multi-million dollar publishing and printing success story.
From an initial investment of $4,000 (mostly borrowed) the young entrepreneurs established the North Kent Leader, a sparkling weekly serving Dresden and North Kent County, Ontario, Canada in 1965 and never looked back.
Along the way partner Clauws would pen more than nine hundred "Scratchin' Around With Clauws" columns. Several selected columns are published in the book and are sure to provoke enthusiastic memories for the reader of years gone by.
Dozens of interesting photos will inspire you to reflect and remember, people, places and things covering the time period 1965 to 1988.
Partner Misselbrook notes that 100's of extremely talented employees honed their skills and thrived in a atmosphere of young people being allowed to create and innovate. The best and the brightest from Managing Editor Don Spearman to Production Manager Joan Martin, General Sales Manager Bruce Smith, and Publication Managers Phil Dunlop, John Weese and countless others littered the landscape of Leader Publications talent pool. Printing Plant Manager (and character) Mac Johnson along with Billie Janness and others were devoted to the growth of Leader Web Press Printing.
And while Clauws-Misselbrook and staff worked hard, they also played hard and gave back to their community with major fund raisers each year. Follow the fun as you follow the Leader in this history book that required almost two years to prepare.
Cutting edge technology and passionate desire to take risks and succeed drove the young company and in a few short years it was a "leader" in the industry and in the community in every way possible.
You're sure to marvel at how Clauws and Misselbrook could spearhead the launch of a "Shoppers publication" in nearby Chatham in a mere seven days. It would 12 months later sell for over $1-million dollars.
In the closing chapter you'll be invited to "Follow The Leader" through the sale of the company in 1988. You'll also witness the impact the sale on the communities served throughout Southwestern Ontario, as well as the exisiting employees at Leader Publications.
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vision1947 says
Ted and Gord: What a fantastic tale. I read it faster than any novel I have read in the last few years.
The first few pages set me up for "hmm, I am not sure that this style will sell to the masses". And then as I got going I realized that the style, language and organization were perfect for what you two were trying to do....tell a story...make it simple...don't be fancy because that is not what the partnership or the business was all about. It was about a love of community newspapers.
There were so many details in it that I did not know about, even with all the talks I had with the two of you over the years. The one thing I did know was the James story. If you would pardon my speaking to him without your permission, I told him that he should be proud about the way he was treated in the book. Not that I am sure he gives a damn!
Now! Let me make a few comments from the perspective of a fellow publisher and personal friend of both of the partners.
Nothing in the book really reflects how important you were to the industry outside of your publishing area. And in a sentence or two I cannot really do justice to your efforts either.
Gord spent hours away from business and family and he provided his knowledge and influence to publishers as a member of Ontario and Canadian community newspapers. Always concise and worthwhile, when Gord spoke we listened. His personality and intelligence was appreciated where ever he spoke.
Ted gave to the industry the training and love of communication he received from Thompson newspapers. Yet he added his wonderful personality and humor that everyone who knows him appreciates. He helped many, many youngsters entering the business do it easily instead of having to bumble over the same mistakes we older generation made.
In addition to these remarks I would like to say that Ted and Gord deserve a huge pat on the back for producing this book. At a time in life where they could be out enjoying themselves at golf or travel, they spent countless hours making sure that the folks who worked for them had a wonderful piece to keep for themselves and their kids. This is a selfless endeavor and I for one enjoy it very much.
Thanks Gord and Ted
Dave Wenger
posted at 06:34am Sep 30 PST