Historical May 1995 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
For many of those involved with the Times of Skinker DeBaliviere since its inception as The Paper in 1970, it seemed unbelievable that they had been writing stories, doing layout, selling ads, etc., for that long.
But the calendar does not lie and the anniversary arrived this April.
On Sunday, April 23, friends of the Times gathered at the Central West End Bank to toast the newspaper’s longevity and its success in helping to unite and strengthen the neighborhood. Everyone hoisted a glass of Kathleen Williams’ especially prepared champagne punch(with a decided kick). Rick Lake and Brad Weir staffed the bar, also serving soda to attendees. Homemade specialties abounded. Desserts and hors d’oeuvres were furnished by Rose Storey, Catherine Forslund, Roy Roncal, Ann Smith Carr, Venita Lake, JoAnn Vatcha, Sue Rothschild, and Lana Stein.
No anniversary celebration could be complete without some remarks. Kathleen Hamilton, President of Central West End Bank, graciously served as master of ceremonies.
She called on Cal Stuart, the longest serving director of the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council to offer a few words about the paper’s beginnings. Stuart included the fact that he used to tremble before picking up each issue, wondering what it contained, and said that no doubt every director has.(The Times is an independent non-profit corporation.) Alderman Dan McGuire presented the Times Board with resolutions commemorating its anniversary from the St. Louis Board of Aldermen(which he had co-sponsored with Alderman Clay) and from the Missouri House of Representatives(courtesy of Rep. Nancy Farmer). Current editor Lana Stein thanked the Board she works with who are indispensible in getting out each issue.
She introduced Roy Roncal, co-chair of the West End Arts Council.
The Council had made possible the production of a special Times anniversary poster. Designed by Andy Cross, the poster captures a number of neighborhood scenes.
The poster is available for $5 and its sale benefits the Times. JoAnn Vatcha then presented a framed copy of the poster to Marj Weir, the current board member who has worked on the Times the longest.
She then surprised the current editor with a lovely tropical plant in thanks for keeping the paper going.
Sunday, the 23rd, was a gloomy day of continuous rainfall.
However, the festivities marking the Times anniversary certainly cheered those assembled and especially those who have labored to bring out the Times for 25 years.
Original photograph caption
Kathleen Hamilton presents a plaque recognizing25years of Times editors to current editor Lana Stein. The plaque will be placed in the SDCC office. Photo by King Schoenfeld.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, May 1995.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1995_05.pdf, printed page(s) 5, 4; PDF page(s) 4.
