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FOCUS «tte: As Focus on Scugog begins its’ fifth year, writer Scott Mercer sat down with publisher Peter Hvidsten to find out how it all began... The magazine you're holding in your hands is more than bound pages of book paper - more than a writers’ creativity and editor’s oversight. It's more than the relentless energy of advertising salespeople and other behind the scenes contributors. More than just a local enterprise. Focus on Scugog is also more than its publisher’s hard work and vision: intertwined with three generations of family his- tory, Focus has become the passion of it’s creator. Tf ever an individual was born to a vocation, Peter Hvidsten would qualify. The family’s involvement with publishing began not in Port Perry but far away in Norway, where his grandfather, Peder, owned a small daily community newspaper. Peter’s father, Per, was following his own father’s foot- steps until world events intruded. World War II brought Nazi occupation to Norway. Through a lengthy escape route, Per Hvidsten slipped out of his homeland to freedom by skiing into Sweden. He later made his way to Canada. Near Gravenhurst, Ontario, a large number of Norwegians assembled to continue their war effort. Nicknamed Please turn to page 20 Publisher Peter Hvidsten with the ‘Focus’ girls, from left, office manager MaryAnn Fleming, ic artis Walker Tracy Souch. Arlene and Tracy have b ith the ine since it d in A, i it 2006, je year later. FOCUS - APRIL 2010 21