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Star co-owner reminisces about purchase of paper in 1963 from the Farmers Dear Peter: As the co-owner with my husband (your father) of the Port Perry Star at one time, | must publicly say how pleased I was when you invit- ed me to contribute to your special edition. Since we in Uxbridge, in 1972, published a Centennial issue, I quite realize the countless hours of time spent on research, verification, etc. At times, to us, and I'm sure to you also, it did seem an al- most insurmountable task. But, may I reminisce? It was, as I recall, on a Sun- day afternoon when we re- ceived a phone call from Mr. Irving Boyd asking if it was convenient if he and Mrs. Boyd came to Uxbridge to dis- cuss a matter of some impor- tance and of mutual interest. Of course they were welcome. Little did we know that as a result of that encounter, our lives would undergo a remark- able change. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd, who were seriously contemplating retiring from the publishing business offered us the oppor- tunity of purchasing the Port Perry Star at a most reasona- ble cost -- rather than put it on the open market. How hon- oured we were that the ini- tial offer was made to us and I know I shall long remember ~ the kindness of the Boyd fam- ily (and the Farmers) for pro- viding such a wonderful op- portunity to become acquainted with the fine resi- dents of Port Perry, as well as ~ obtaining a respected enter- prise. Many changes have taken place over the years of course. In those early days the paper was a broadsheet, i.e. the page size was similar to, say, the Toronto Star. Newspaper copy was set on the old "hot metal" linotype. For those un- familiar with the process, the operator used a keyboard, not too unlike an early model typewriter. The brass type ropped into a line holder, "dunked" in hot metal and then re-distributed across a carriage above the type case - -- presto, a line of print cast in lead. The paper was hand-fed for both printing and folding, a lengthy and somewhat tiring business. Comparing those methods of yesteryear with today's operation is the equivalent of likening a Model T to a limo. Your sister Gerri Lynn, was my right hand at the Ux- bridge Times Journal, while you and your father success- fully operated the Port Perry Star. Both National and Pro- vincial awards were won by both publications on more than a few occassions. D'Arcy Morden of Ux- bridge, he, of the two Morden Bros. who dedicated almost their entire lives to the vari- ous sports, was a long time employee of the Port Perry Star. It was he who for many years was employed by the Farmers and the Boyds, and | might add, transported me from Uxbridge to Port Perry and back on numerous occa- sions before I learned to drive. I remember, too, during that particular time, the very fine Dr. Matthew Dy- mond was nominated provin- cial representative at a giant gathering in Port Perry are- na, and accompaning him was a Scottish Band! Pipes and drums, ye ken? I'm not "certain" I voted that year for him because of the music, but I would argue with some passion that he was an excel- lent representative on our be- half. I feel certain, Peter, that many of your long-time read- ers will greet with keen inter- est your special edition of the Port Perry Star. They will study reproductions of old photos, be reminded of past events and perhaps even have their memories jogged about incidents which had been for- gotten. Especially important, I think, is the fact that count- less hours were spent in sever- al libraries, in a long search for historical data that will not only add to our awareness of the area but will awaken this, our present generation to a new sense of history, a new sense of belonging. Sincere congratulations on your endeavours! Your Mom (Leila E. Hvidsten) PORT PERRY STAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE -- Tuesday, September 20, 1988 -- 15 | consider it a pleasure to be able to add a few words to this special edition of the Port Perry Star, an edition that has been a labour of love project for publisher Peter Hvidsten. | can personally attest that Peter has spent many, many hours researching and working to bring this special edition together, and | want to extend congratulations to him not just for this fine historical edition, but also on the 25 years that he and his family have owned this newspaper. My own involvement with the Star covers half that period, 12 years, starting in the fall of 1971, when as a youngster fresh out of col- lege and fresh from several months travelling overseas, | arrived in Port Perry to work for Pe- ter's father, the late Per Hvidsten. It was my first job with a newspaper, and | Stayed a little over a year before heading north to Canada's Arctic to work for a paper in Yel- lowknife, then to Ottawa for a couple of years to continue formal education at Carleton. In the spring of 1977, uncertain of what to do with my future, | responded to an ad in a Toronto newspaper for an editor of weekly newspaper. | didn't know that it was the Port Perry Star, and that Peter had taken over the publisher's reins from his father. Peter and | talked on the phone about the job, | accepted the offer and arrived for the second time in Port Perry in May, 1977. And I've been here ever since. Obviously, there have been many chang- es to the paper and the community since my first stint with the Star way back in 1971. And as you may have noticed from the two photos of myself (then and now) | too have changed somewhat both in appearance and outlook. In size, the Star is a much. larger paper now than it was back in 1971. At that time, a "big issue" was 24 pages. Many issues ran just 16 pages and the average was 20. Today, most issues of the Star run to 44 or 48 pages. | can't recall the last time the Star put out an is- sue with less than 40 pages. We have kept pace with the enormous changes in the community of Port Perry over the last 17 years, a community that has grown from a small village to a large Township with more than 16,000 people. The look of the paper has changed dra- matically as well. As publisher, Peter Hvidsten Recollections by Editor J.B, McClelland has kept on top of the remarkable innovations in the printing and publishing industry over the past decade; everything from computer- ized dark room equipment to desk top termi- nals that greatly reduce production time and enhance the graphics of the final product. Looking back on the technological ad- vancements over the past 17 years, | some- times wonder with amazement where the in- dustry will be 17 years hence. Although the scope and the size and the appearance of the Port Perry Star has changed, | believe that the heart and soul of the community weekly has not been altered drastically. : Our job, and the philosophy that | bring to this job each week is to present information and news to the community, about the com- munity, in a clear, straight-forward fashion. Community news and information cannot be considered "earth shattering," but it is of im- portance to the people who live and work in the Port Perry area. That has not changed, and | hope it never does for this paper and all the other communi- ty papers in this country. Community events and special occasions, the decisions made at local and Regional council and the Board of Education, sports, social functions, and yes, at times, the trage- dies, these are the bread and butter of the community press in the 1980's. # When | first started to work for Per Hvid- sten, he pretty well gave me free rein to cover the stories | wanted to cover and write what | wanted in the editorials and opinion columns. And at times, | admit | went out of my way to sensationalize and shock. But gradually, | learned something from Per that communit news itself will sometimes be controversial, there realy is no need to embellish or sensa- tionalize. Speak out when there is a need, but not just for the sake of "stirring the pot." Sound advice from a man | grew to admire and respect for his fairness and his sense of jus- tice, advice that | still adhere to so many years later. I enjoy the community and my involvement with it through my work.For well over a 100 years, there has been a community paper published here. | am confident that will contin- ue for many more years. Mr. Peter Hvidsten, Publisher, Port Perry Star, Dear Peter: It is an honour to extend to you greetings on the twenty-fifth An- niversary of the ownership of the Port Perry Star in your family. In this instance, my greetings are perhaps more personal in that it seems to me that I have been reading your paper in search of news and comments on local issues for almost twenty-five years. During this time, I have farmed; held positions with the Federation of Agriculture; served on the council of the Township of Uxbridge; and been Regional Chairman of the Region of Durham. I have on many occasions found myself waiting for your paper to arrive as I have nearly always found that I could rely on The Port Perry Star for fair and unbiased reporting of the current controversial issues. While I was a member of the Uxbridge Township Council, your mother and sister operated the Uxbridge Times-Journal, while you and your father operated the Port Perry Star. This is indeed a rare accomplishment for one family. In closing, twenty-five years is cause for celebration. As you reflect on your past accomplishments, you can indeed be proud. : I extend to you my sincere good wishes for the future. Yours truly, Gary Herr Regional PORT PERRY STAR - MAY 1907 Old newspapers for sale at the 'Star Office', twenty cents a hundred. Just the thing for lining carpets or wrapping parcels. NOTICE We hope you have enjoyed reading this special 25th Anniversary edition. We are sure it has brought back many memories for our readers, as it has for us here at the Port Perry Star. Now, with this nostaglic piece of history behind us, we will begin an even bigger and more complete history of Port Perry and area, which we plan to publish 3 years from now. The reason for another Special Edi- tion of the Star at that time, will be the celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Port Perry Star and its predecessor, the Port Perry Standard, which will take place on August 16, 1991. While realizing three years is a long time, we are asking our readers to submit old information or pictures which might be of interest for our 125th anniversary. All material received will be consid- ered, and returned to you as soon as possible after copies have been made. We thank you for your support.