Mike Rainone
Hammertime
Ever since I was a little duffer delivering the really big Edmonton Journals with my balloon tire bike and wagon around the Alberta Hospital grounds I have always had a long and special love for any kind of newspapers. I only got a nickel a paper in those days, but much later I got to work at the Ponoka Herald for over 20 years, and still really enjoy doing some freelance stories for your Ponoka News.
Unfortunately with the new age and invasion of electronic media and all those other fancy communication outlets, our long-standing and traditional daily and weekly newspapers have been struggling somewhat over the past decade. Of course there will always be a whole lot of people who will never be able to do without their morning coffee and newspapers, which are great for a good read on a long trip, or way back to your wilderness bush camp or mountain cabin where there is absolutely no reception for those other gadgets.
Ask yourself, how we would ever get our newspapers and flyers at the door if it wasn’t for those faithful delivery boys and girls, who deliver year-round no matter what the weather, might be. As we flip through our newspapers nothing will ever replace: the crossword puzzle, the personal columns and local stories, advice to the ‘love-lorn’ from Ann Landers and all the rest, the sports and classified pages, the horoscope, the comics, the latest and oldest recipes, and on and on. When we are done with our newspapers each week we can share them with others, or use them to wrap up the fish and ships, for packing, to line the cat-box, to start the fire, and so much more.
Most famous and funny headlines and goofs
I will never forget all the great people that I have had the pleasure of working with in the newspaper business, still always managing to have a little fun while rushing to meet that dreaded deadline each and every week for so many years. Of course we made a few ‘typo’ mistakes along the way, missed a photo or two, and had to entertain rambunctious paper boys and girls and perturbed parents when the weekly paper was late arriving on several occasions. But most people are really kind and understanding, they realize that all newspapers have a hectic schedule, and for the most part they appreciate the advertisements that we create and the stories that we write, as well as the neat pictures that we snap around the community.
Just for fun here is a list of some worst and funniest headline goofs that have actually been committed by newspapers around the world.
• Federal agents raid gun shop, find weapons.
• Next week’s total lunar eclipse will be broadcast live on Northlands Public radio.
• Meeting on the request for more public meetings will be held behind closed doors.
• The ongoing marijuana issue has been sent to a joint meeting.
• Man with eight DUIs blames his problem on drinking.
• Statistics show that teen pregnancy drops off significantly after age 25.
• The city is unsure why the sewer smells.
• Texas Rangers get whiff of Colon. (Sports headline when the team signed veteran Major League baseball pitcher Bartola Colon.
• Parents keep kids home from school to protest school closure.
• Bridges help people to cross rivers.
• City plans its new dog park next to the Archery Range.
• Hospital Neurosurgery Department gets a new head.
• The bugs flying around our community are actually flying bugs.
Read this full page ad for a huge clothing sale at Brody’s story in a 1950s Ponoka Herald
‘All pants and shirts seduced to half price’….’Shorts and Skirts half off.’
Although we really feel sorry for all the folks that are suffering devastating wild fires in other Provinces, hopefully all the smoke will soon drift away and everyone can enjoy what is left of summer 2018. Have a great week, all of you.