Introduction: Unheralded (01:55)

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Lakefield, Ontario is a quaint Canadian town that has the region’s best hamburgers, five churches, and just three traffic lights. For 150 years, locals have been getting their news from the Lakefield Herald, a weekly so small its publisher is also a paperboy.

Meet the Staff (03:01)

Terry McQuitty left his job as publisher at a bigger city newspaper in 2003 and bought the Lakefield Herald with his partner, Simon Conolly. The paper has two other employees: Office Manager Andrea Bell and Anita Locke, a freelance reporter.

On the Beat (02:27)

The majority of Lakefield news occurs on weekends. Locke heads to a dragon boat festival where she interviews and photographs local participants. She then heads to a 65th anniversary party. She knows just about everyone in town, and they know her.

Clinic Opening (02:37)

McQuitty catches up on emails. Someone has sent a photo of a horse in line for barbecue at Foodland. The publisher heads to the new Best of Hearing Centre to cover its grand opening. Locals compliment the paper, though one sheepishly admits he reads it for free.

Small-Town Paper (04:29)

Local author and Herald columnist Kim Krenz signs copies of his book on Lakefield history at Foodland. The narrator names buildings and roads that are named after Herald publishers. She says the Herald’s coverage helps define the character of the community.

Community Events and Breaking News (05:32)

McQuitty snaps photographs of the Soap Box Derby, a fishing event, and a softball game. Lock interviews a naturopath who practices polarity therapy. The publisher gets a tip regarding police activity, and he covers a city council meeting.

Publication Day (04:06)

The paper goes to print on Wednesday, and McQuitty fields calls even as he rushes to finish his last stories. There are setbacks, but the Herald staff makes deadline. The publisher ponders working for someone else, which would mean more money and better benefits.

Delivery Day (02:48)

The Herald staff distributes the paper around town. The public feels a sense of ownership of the paper, which they appreciate for printing stories other papers will not. Increasingly, small town papers are shutting down or being bought by large corporations.

Credits: Unheralded (00:57)

Credits: Unheralded