Honouring community history and engagement through 75 Years of the Chronicle
MPCC Chair Mark Smith examines the role of the Manor Park Chronicle in the community.
Happy New Year, Manor Park! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and on behalf of the MPCC, I want to wish you health and happiness in 2024. Speaking of 2024, the Manor Park Chronicle celebrates a significant milestone this year, reaching 75 years (!) of chronicling the pulse of our community.
Since 1949, the Chronicle has been a source of local news and profiles of members of our community. This achievement and longevity is a testament to the dedication and effort of countless individuals over the years, as well as the partnership with the Manor Park Community Council (MPCC) and the Manor Park Community Association (MPCA).
Thanks and recognition
While many people have had a hand in the paper’s success over the past 75 years, on behalf of the MPCC, I would like to recognize the efforts of Wes Smiderle, editor of the Chronicle, Advertising Manager and Business Buzz editor Sharleen Tattersfield and Production Manager Patti Moran.
Under Wes’s guidance, the Chronicle has evolved into a more professional publication while retaining its appeal to the paper’s diverse readership. His commitment has elevated the Chronicle to new standards without losing sight of its roots in reflecting the community’s spirit.
Sharleen has pounded the pavement edition after edition to build and maintain the Chronicle‘s close relationships with its advertisers, where it derives the bulk of its financial support. She also steers Buzz to showcase news businesses. She’s served stints as editor and remains an integral part of the fabric of the Chronicle and the community it represents. (Sharleen dug up most of the archive photos used throughout theis edition to commemorate the paper’s 75th anniversary.)
Patti brings her experience in lay-out and design, along with a good deal of creative flair, to give the Chronicle its polished, clear and highly readable style.
The MPCC and MPCA jointly help to shape the Chronicle’s direction, including the pivotal decision in 1995 to make the editor of the paper a paid position. This decision has made the role more attractive and has elevated the professionalism of the paper.
Furthermore, both the MPCC and MPCA have representatives on the Chronicle’s advisory board to ensure the paper remains relevant and representative of community interests. To that end, I would like to thank Kailey McLachlan, member of the MPCC board of directors, who has most recently served as the MPCC’s representative on the advisory board.
Ditigal archives
In 2018, recognizing the value of preserving local history, the MPCC applied for, and received a summer student placement grant from the federal government to hire a student to digitize past issues of the Chronicle.
The student, William Poole, located and gathered paper copies of the newspaper and had them professionally scanned into a digital format. Copies were organized by decade (going all the way back to 1949) and are available online on the MPCA’s website, and also via the Chronicle’s website. This initiative served to secure access to the paper’s archives for future generations, ensuring that the community’s legacy endures.
While those of you that live in Manor Park, or its surrounding neighbourhoods, enjoy home delivery of the Chronicle, those that live outside the delivery boundary but are still vital members of our community through their involvement in MPCC programming, can pick up a copy of the paper while visiting the community center (100 Thornwood Rd.) or 1805 Gaspé Ave.
The Chronicle remains an essential thread weaving together Manor Park’s stories and experiences. Here’s to the Chronicle‘s remarkable 75-year journey and the ongoing commitment that keeps it as a cornerstone of our community.