Carrier memories
I was 10 when I started delivering the Kitchener-Waterloo Record over 60 years ago. One reader collected coins and taught me the history of Canadian money. The barber on my route showed me how to organize paper money with all the faces going the same way. Getting people to pay for the paper was an experience in communicating.
When in Grade 8, I was competing in the 100-yard dash. My Record route was my training ground. I would wear my bag of 50 papers and run the whole route, stairs included. The extra weight strengthened my legs to the point that I won the 100-yard race for my age group at the citywide championships, held at Victoria Park, and my name was published in The Record.
At 14, I left The Record to work at the Highway Market for the glorious sum of 50 cents per hour. My early training as a Record carrier may have influenced my decision to study business at WLU and McMaster and to later start my own firm. Bruce Popplow
I was 12 when I started delivering the newspaper, taking the route from my older sister who in turn took the route from our oldest sister. So, there was eight consecutive years of newspaper delivery people in my family. My career lasted four years.
After my canvas bag was loaded with 54 newspapers I would set out on foot during the winter months and on bicycle from spring to fall. The bicycle trip was a little tricky. My father had made a large carrier, welding steel rod and mounting it to the front of my single-speed bike. The carrier, which was heavy to begin with, was a little difficult to control loaded with papers but it got easier as I made the deliveries.
Christmastime could be rewarding. A nice elderly lady would often make cookies for me. I must have made a good impression because when I was well into my 30s she would call my parents when her newspaper was late or didn’t show.
Delivering newspapers was not always the greatest job. The worst thing was finishing your route only to find you have one paper left in your bag. If you couldn’t remember who you missed the only thing to do was wait at home for a phone call.
With all this said, delivering papers taught me some valuable life lessons I didn’t realize until later in life when I started and ran my own business. Mark Schaefer
I have to say it is true, like the mail, The Record does get delivered through rain, snow, ice, sun, and floods. I have been delivering The Record since I was 12 years old. I am 34 now. I started out with a small route in Harriston but now I do all the subscribers in town. When it was changed to a morning paper, I had to wake up early and get the route done before I caught my bus to high school. When the 2003 blackout happened all my customers received one section, all about the blackout. Some customers thought “That’s it?” Others said “Wow, they could print still.”
During one winter I stayed at a friend’s in Fergus on a Friday night. While bringing me home early Saturday morning my friend said “With roads as bad as this the paper will not be at your place when we get there.” To their surprise it was in the garage waiting for me. I went out and faithfully deliver it to all my customers. In 2017, we had a major flood in our town. Still The Record got to me, even though detoured because of roads covered in water.
I enjoy the job and am glad to be a carrier to my 100 or so very kind customers.
Thanks for all the years I have been with you and will be with you to come. Amy Noble
My memory is helping deliver The Record in the early 1960s in the village of Breslau and placing the paper on the step, back porch, between the doors, in the milk box or wherever directed to leave it. Most homes in the village received The Record at that time. I remember the big carrying bag and how heavy it seemed. We collected weekly and the subscribers had a cardboard payment card which we punched. It has been a family tradition for 90-plus years to be a subscriber to The Record. Maryanne Szuck
We lived on the corner of Ahrens and Louisa streets in Kitchener and I am one of five siblings who delivered the paper.
It was a hand-me-down job, starting with my older sister, Theresa, in the early 1960s. My older brother had his turn next. Then the job was mine in the early 1970s, followed by my sister, Annette, and then, lastly, my youngest sister, Corine, had the route from the late ’70s into the early ’80s.
We ate our dinner between 4 and 4:30 p.m. and the papers would arrive a bit after 4:30. It did not matter the weather, we were dedicated! Tom Allemang Memories as a record carrier circa 1972: While the money was welcome and I
learned about the responsibilities of delivering the paper six days a week, I eventually found out that running away from a dog who liked to nip at my heels was not the right thing to do!
Tim Weber
•••
I began my 12-year career as a Record carrier in the spring of 1941. As the route expanded I had to split it up so other carriers could be brought aboard.
Profits from the first year allowed me to purchase a small bicycle. As profits increased I banked the cash in a jar in the top drawer of my clothes chest. Times were tough. I frequently found IOU notes from family borrowing money on a short-term basis. The notes disappeared to be replaced by cash. Later I did use “real” banks.
I have so many great memories of my connection with The Record. Superb business training is one of them.
Other highlights: The Record had yearly challenges to see if we could have 100 per cent sales to every house on the route. The rewards could be a bus trip to Toronto or dinner at the Old Mill; I played the lead in a film made to train carriers on The Record way to conduct business; I was cited as a Record Carrier Emeritus; I bought my first motorcycle with the proceeds of being a carrier.
Douglas Gerrard
•••
I was looking for a different part-time job but didn’t want to give up The Record route. It was a sweet route with a couple of townhome complexes and a seniors’ apartment. The newspaper bundles and flyers were dropped off right out front of the apartment and I could do all of the inserts in the building’s lobby. It was a good gig! My brother was interested in taking over the route so I wound up ‘subcontracting’ the route to him at about 50 per cent of what I was making. He was happy, I was happy and I was learning about wheeling and dealing and entrepreneurship. Everything was good — until my father found out about the subcontracting deal and swiftly put an end to it. To this day we rib dad about how he put an end to my entrepreneurial dreams.
Mark Weicker
•••
I was saddened, in August, to read the obituary of Peter Perchaluk, because he was the absolute best supervisor/mentor for us who were young Record carriers. My best memory of him was the time I had won whatever the contest was, and he came out to pick me up in Hawkesville, take me, along with other winners, to a dinner at the Steddick Hotel in Elmira and then on to the Kitchener Auditorium for an Ice Capades show.
I don’t remember the exact years, but our family of four all delivered the news- paper in Hawkesville, starting with my oldest sister, in the ’50s. We then passed it on to children of one of our first cousins, and they had five children.
It was very difficult to get new subscribers as Hawkesville only had about 180 people and almost every house subscribed to The Record. I do remember that, on occasion, my father would drive us to the furthest points, in pouring rain, but that was rare. In the summer months, people would come to their cottages and we would need to deliver the paper a little further away, as they would transfer their subscription from home.
Thanks so much for honouring carriers, and I would especially honour Mr. Perchaluk.
Marlene (Frey) Toye
•••
I was 10 years old when I started delivering The Record in Floradale 80 years ago. This was the start of The Record being delivered to individual homes in the village. Some of my memories include: meeting Mr. Joseph Fehrenbach (the circulation manager) to tell me I had the job; buying my first bicycle with money I earned and saved; and my first ride on a bus to Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto to see the Ice Capades as a token of appreciation from The Record.
I am now in my 90s and still subscribe to the newspaper I delivered all those years ago!
Esther (Soehner) Musselman
•••
I was born in 1933 and started delivering papers in 1946. I lived on Bridge Street in Bridgeport. I picked up my papers at the corner store. I then walked one mile to the end of my paper route and back to my home. My brother, Jim Nolan, who also worked at The Record for many years, covered my route when I started work.
Much later in life, starting around 1973 in the Erb and Weber area, I had four children who also became paper carriers — Anthony, Duane, Stephen and Sandra Cousineau.
In the winters, remembering how cold I used to feel, I would drive them around in the car to drop off the papers. The job taught us to be responsible, reliable and give us some spending money. We worked hard and had great relationships with our customers. These were the good old days.
Catherine (Nolan) Cousineau
•••
My sister Cathy did papers out in Bridgeport. She started at the round about at Lancaster Street and went all the way to the plaza at Bridge Street and University Avenue. When she got home she was so cold mom would rub her feet and she would sit by the stove to get warm. At that time they didn’t have houses close together. We moved to Kitchener and Jim took the route because Cathy had a job to go to. He got the bus in Kitchener and took it to Bridgeport to deliver the papers. That would have been in about 1949. Rosemary started papers in 1951 with her sisters Elaine (1954) and Rita (1958) — we were all about 10 or 11 years old. We did the routes of St. George Street, Peter Street, Courtland Avenue, and Cedar Street. We had to go up a number of steps at a house on Cedar but it was worth it as the lady always had potato pancakes waiting for us. Boy they were delicious. We had the routes until we started high school or started working.
Jim Nolan ( Worked at Record for 41 Years)
Rosemary Nolan (Worked at Record for 28 years)
Elaine Bellefontaine (Worked at Record 10 years)
Rita Nolan (Worked at Record 13 Years)
•••
I worked as a Record carrier from 1947 to 1951. I was 10 years old when I started. My cousin, Walter Strub, was a distribution manager at The Record and he called me about the job opening. This was a serious opportunity for careers to follow later in life. You were given an interview, shown how to keep a ledger, and how to properly fold a paper. Your route was mapped out and an investment in your own carrier bag was required. Reporting to a senior carrier, making cash collections, and recording transactions was mandatory. Back then The Record cost 24 cents per week and carriers were paid four cents per customer. You were expected to carry extra pennies with you to give your customers change from a quarter. Some people were extra generous and let you keep the change, but others would expect you to return the penny. Recruiting new customers on your route was rewarded and prizes were given, such as a trip to Niagara Falls. On these trips you were expected to wear a shirt and tie.
John (Jack) Strub
•••
My memory goes way back to the ’60s. I didn’t have the route but my friend, Tommy Musselman, delivered the paper and I helped him at numerous times. What I vividly remember was back in 1967 and it was the Wednesday before Dominion Day. Back then Wednesday was always the day the flyers came out. Well, let me tell you, on this day there were extra inserts celebrating Canada’s 100th birthday. For two young fellas each paper seemed to weigh five pounds.
Rick Chambers
•••
My three-year job as a Record carrier began in 1952 when I was 12 years old. Fortunately, I delivered the newspaper in my own northward neighbourhood of Louisa and Weber streets and knew many of my 54 customers. My proudest memory was convincing most of them to switch from weekly to monthly payments thus saving us both time and money.
With the first $50 I earned, I bought a Raleigh three-speed bicycle that I still have! It helped me greatly speed up my delivery time.
My husband, Jim, and I continue to be satisfied 57-year Record subscribers — paying monthly, of course!
Bernadine Kraemer Giovinazzo
•••
I was a Record carrier when I was 10 years old. It was my first job, where I learned how to work hard delivering the paper to grateful neighbours in all kinds of weather. At Christmas, I was surprised that people gave me a tip! One elderly man, who was, I found out later, an influential member of our K-W community, gave me a $100 tip (in 1980). Did that ever boost my confidence and make me feel special. At the end of that year, when I handed over my route to my brother, I had earned enough money for a trip to Germany by myself (staying with relatives for six weeks and going to school there at age 11). My mom didn’t think I would follow through before I got the job, but I was dedicated to delivering the newspaper on all the days of the year. I will always be thankful that that was my first job. The Record gave me that sense of accomplishment. Thank you.
Elinor Snell
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We lived on Bridge Street in the Town of Bridgeport. My older brother, John, delivered from 1950 to 1955. He was 10 when he started and handed the money-making business over to me when I was 10. I also delivered for four years. He remembers having about 40 to 50 papers. I delivered 50 to 59 papers. I don’t know whether people liked me more, or if it was because of some new housing.
Dave Malleck was our supervisor and praised us every time we got a new customer. I think we also got a small token of good performance. He was a great person to work for.
The best part of our job back then was we would personally know the whole neighbourhood. Sometimes, if we got to the right house at the right time, we even got to taste some fresh home-made cookies.
As young guys the papers were very heavy at the time. In those years there was more good news than bad.
The route seemed long in those days, with houses on one side of the road and farms on the other. Then, at the end of the route, there was always one guy complaining the paper was late. Heck we only would get the papers around 4 p.m. and it would take us until around 6 to finish. My brother may have been quicker but I stopped to talk to everyone on my way.
We never made enough money to retire but it sure helped to make us who we are today.
Clare Pomeroy
•••
We had about 120 papers in the Smithson School area of Kitchener from 1961 to ’63. Collecting the money was a major part of the job. Even if people didn’t pay, you had to remit. Most customers were regular as clockwork but I could take you to the house tomorrow that was my biggest challenge. Every excuse in the book.
It was a great experience to learn the value of work and responsibility.
Tom Galloway
•••
As a young teenager in the early 1960s, I was thrilled to get the job of being a Record carrier in New Hamburg. I recall Peter Perchaluk from The Record sitting at our kitchen table explaining what I needed to do.
Many years later, our sons also had the opportunity to learn new skills in their afternoon jobs as Record carriers in Waterloo.
Today, The Record is delivered to me at a different time of day and in a different fashion, but I still value reading it each morning.
Phyllis Bishop
•••
My younger brother, Ted, and I took over a route from Richard (Dick) Knechtel in early 1940 and we kept it until I joined the RCAF in the spring of 1944.
The route could be described as straddling the Kitchener-Waterloo boundary and contained by the streets King, John, Belmont and Mount Hope. Subscriber total was 175. Just before we took over, the route had been split about 100/75. Factoring in the ‘big brother’ syndrome, guess who got the larger share! During this period there were few after-school jobs for teenagers so we felt lucky to have been employed as Record carriers. As family funds were tight, it helped when we were able to pretty well pay for our own clothes and ‘incidentals’ like ‘wild west’ movies on Saturday at the Lyric or Capitol in downtown Kitchener.
Collections were usually done on Saturdays. I kept some $4.50 for my share — not bad for its time. Not bad either was Mrs. Schultz, who, at Christmas, tipped me $1! Nobody else even came close!
My brother and I lived close to the starting point of the paper route with the added advantage of having a place to wait that was out of the weather . . . namely ‘Moe’s University,’ a one-table pool room where you enrolled naive and graduated much more worldly.
Don Glebe
•••
I delivered The Record from 1944 to 1948, starting when I was 10, in the Village of Floradale. One winter day, when the roads were near impassable, the newspaper was delivered by airplane to the Floradale Public School yard during school hours. Years later the school teacher often referred to that exciting occasion.
Stuart Martin
•••
My mother, Doris Bowman, who now is 95, was a Record carrier for seven years from 1952 until 1959. She was 29 when she started.
Her papers were delivered to her by another carrier at the general store in West Montrose. They came pre-wrapped in brown paper in a large bundle.
She delivered from West Montrose to Elora, over to Fergus and then north of Fergus, before working her way through the country almost back to West Montrose again. Back then, she was the one responsible for stopping in and collecting the renewal subscriptions, while doing her deliveries. She still receives The Record today.
Nancy Watson
•••
In the early 1960s I had a KitchenerWaterloo Record route in the town of Fergus. I was approximately 12 years old and held the route for several years.
The most difficult task as a carrier was the important job of “collecting.” It would often take two to three visits to a home to collect payment.
My favourite memory was a contest to obtain four new subscribers. I also have very fond memories of two district managers from The Record, Peter Perchaluk and Albert Thompson, who would drive to Fergus on a regular basis to visit their carriers. One of them visited to deliver the good news: I was one of the winners in the contest!
All of the winners from the area were brought to Kitchener and housed at the Walper Hotel. I distinctly remember spending much time looking out the window at the sights and sounds on King Street. The trolley buses were impactful,
as I had never seen them before. The next morning we were all bused to Toronto for a wonderful day at the Royal Winter Fair. Later that evening we were delivered back to each of our homes.
To this day I remain a subscriber and reader of The Record.
Mary (Sayer) Bowman
•••
One of the highlights in my life’s story was being a Record carrier in my home area in 1940 at the age of nine.
Our neighbour was giving up his route so I went the half block to The Record and asked for Mr. Fehrenbach, who was the circulation manager at the time. He asked me my age and I replied by saying, “How old do you have to be?”
I carried 55 papers on Duke, Frederick, Weber and Ontario streets.
After two and a half years of delivering the newspaper I became interested in babysitting, especially during the summer months. However, I am so grateful for the experience of social and learning skills at an early age through my Record delivery time.
Ann Marie (Young) Sehl
•••
At the age of 10 in 1943 I became a Record carrier as a helper. The route was too large for one person.
The paper was delivered between 4:30 and 6 p.m. Anything later than 6 you were in trouble. My helper route consisted of 20 customers and I was paid 25 cents a week. The paper cost was 18 cents a week.
In 1944 I took over the route, with 125 to 130 papers. The area was well established and to increase your route was not in the cards. However, with the decision to remove the street car tracks my customers took in boarders who, in turn, took the paper. This was a short-lived increase but still an increase.
Being a Record carrier had real rewards. I collected on Friday right after I delivered the paper. Some of my customers would give me supper. All of my customers were really good to me. Christmas was tips of 10 cents, 25 cents and a really good one was 50 cents. Cookies, cake and the odd bottle of wine for my dad. In 1945 at the end of the war a special edition was printed that we delivered to our customers. The rest I took downtown and sold for whatever people wanted to give me. The results were very rewarding. The mood of the people, I can’t explain, it was just tremendous.
My career as a record carrier came to an end in 1948. The five years were a real learning experience. It was a very happy time of my life.
Dave Heldman
•••
I was a Record carrier for six years, starting in 1970 at the age of nine. I took over the paper route from my brother, Mark. Once I was done I handed it down to my brother, Dale. In total the Rockel boys delivered the newspaper to the people on our route for close to 20 years. I also thought it was neat that my father, Paul Rockel, started working at The Record while still a teenager. He was working part-time during the summer, but was asked if he could stay full time since some workers had gone off to fight in the Second World War. He ended up working there for over 15 years.
For those that remember, the 1970s in Ontario were a decade of unusually high snowfall levels; well above normal. Well, being a teenager I was not about to let the snow beat me, so the one year there was only one day that I did not take my bike with the banana seat and high handle bars out with me to deliver the papers. Most of that winter was spent pushing my bike through the snow but there it was with me all but that one day. Many of my customers questioned me many times about me having my bike with me, but they got their Record newspaper on time each day, and that is what mattered.
Having that Record paper route was fantastic. I was able to buy things such as a new bike and my first stereo, I met wonderful people who were my customers, and I learned how to handle money at a young age.
Jeff Rockel
•••
I was a Record carrier from the age of nine to 15. I remember the times when my hands were so cold that I cried when I got home and my mother rubbed them to help them thaw.
My great memories were the times The Record gave me a trip to see a jet airplane, a trip to see the Parliament Buildings and several meals at a restaurant for having a perfect route.
The route was in our family of seven children for nine or more years, which was a financial help to the family.
Ted Braun •••
I grew up living on Edwin Street in Kitchener. When I was seven, I pulled the wagon or sleigh loaded with papers for my older brother. He was 10 and had a route of about 40 papers. After a few years I took over the route and continued until I was 15.
Among the highlights I remember: Saving $2,000 in my bank account, allowing me more than enough money to go to Europe in the summer of 1969; press breakdowns, meaning delivering papers as late as 9 or 10 p.m., instead of the usual 5 p.m.; black ink stains on my clothes; announcing at each house “Collect for the Wrecker”; having to “chase” some of my families for payment; and hot, hot summers and some bitter cold winters.
Paul Hicknell
•••
I was in Grade 7, age 13, when I began my paper route, delivery 100 papers in a wagon in downtown Kitchener. Friday nights and sometimes Saturday mornings were spent going door to door collecting the money from the customers, punching their paid week on a card. I did this for two years, with no intention of wanting to continue once I entered high school.
However, in the spring of Grade 8, my father died suddenly. My mother informed me money was tight and I would have to deliver papers for one more year, till I could get a part-time job. Oh no! Part of my route had one block right on King St. How embarrassing! If I happened to see someone I knew from afar I would duck into a restaurant until they passed.
Needless to say I was not too happy with my mother at the time! But now when I look back I realize she was only doing what she had to do and teaching me a valuable lesson at the time. Life goes on and everyone has to chip in to help.
Heather Hodgins
•••
I used to deliver the Kitchener-Waterloo Record when I was a teenager. I believe I had between 50 and 60 houses to deliver to and I really enjoyed it! What a great way to meet my neighbours — I lived on Merner Avenue at the time — learn responsibility, and make some money. I saved up my paper route earnings and bought my first mini bike!
Wednesdays papers were always larger than the rest of the week and I also had “inserts” to put into the paper.
One of my proudest moments back then was when I received my paper bag with the 100th Anniversary logo on it. That would have made me 16 at that time. LOL
Although I did not really work for The Record, I guess, in a way, I actually did. Carriers were kind of on the “front lines” delivering that great newspaper in all sorts of weather to Kitchener residents.
Greg Peters
•••
PAPERBOY: That’s what they called Record carriers in those days. I was a carrier, I believe from 1949 to 1954, starting at age 10. The papers were dropped off at corner Peter and Church streets, come rain or shine, sleet or snow. Sometimes we delivered the papers soaking wet, including the papers. I later became head carrier, in charge of two other carriers. I went on to become a butcher and then a successful meat salesperson for J. M. Schneiders for 30 years. I give so much credit to the people skills I acquired delivering The Record at such a young age.
Rudy Warkentin •••
I was a carrier from about 1951 to 1954, starting when I was about 10. I believe I started with a route of about 35 or 40 customers and when I finished I was averaging between 90 and 100 customers. I remember I had a balloon-tired bike with a large square steel-strap carrier with heavy braces down to the axel nuts and I had to keep good balance of the bike because of the weight of those papers on the front.
I recall when the paper decided to replace the van that brought the papers to Hanover with delivering them by airplane to a planned drop area for the bundles. That plan did not last too long, because after a very short time some of the bundles dropped on the roof of a house and caused a fair bit of damage and they went back to using the van.
The one thing I recall was being treated by the paper to a trip to Toronto, taken to the theatre to see a movie and then to Casa Loma for a dinner. For a kid who grew up on Victoria Street, in Hanover, this was a pretty big deal, as I recall it was an award for the size of my paper route.
Being a carrier was a good training experience for me, in learning how to serve and treat your customers. I went on to work in sales and service, and opened and operated a very successful business that is still in operation today.
Bill Roseborough
•••
When we moved from Montreal to Kitchener in 1968, Stanley Park was but a few houses. I was 8 years old. I can’t remember the exact date, but as the neighbourhood built up I was proud to be a Record carrier; I am guessing it was when I was 10 and likely continued until I was 14 and started high school. My delivery route was Dooley Drive, Bradley, Midland and Simpson. Dad bought me a wagon and I retrieved my papers every afternoon, counted them, verified my delivery houses, and loaded them up on my wagon. A portable radio was all the company I had, tucked into my wagon, as I made my deliveries. Mom and dad both worked and my task was to get my paper route done and start my homework before they both got home around 6 p.m. As I recall it, those were pretty cool days. You knew all the neighbours by name, and pretty much everyone in our neighbourhood received The Record. I remain a loyal subscriber to this day.
Rick Weiss
•••
I have had the daily Record come to my residence every publication day since 1932. The first 73 years it was delivered at the family farm on Bleams Road west of Fischer-Hallman; the last 13 years to my condo on King Street East in Kitchener.
During the Second World War with gas rationing, etc., The Record decided it couldn’t deliver papers on a road where it had to turn around and return the same way to continue the route. They would drop off the papers at the intersection of Fischer-Hallman and Bleams and someone else would have to deliver them from there or they could mail the paper the next day.
My father was not satisfied with that so he volunteered me to deliver them on my bicycle (which I did not have yet). On school days they would drop off the papers at the one-room school and I would deliver them from there — four miles round trip. I was paid one cent per paper per day (12 papers). I survived all that and, like my father, I have subscribed continuously ever since.
Nyle Eby
•••
I was a Record carrier in 2001 and 2002, once morning delivery began, starting when I was 11.
The highlight came on June 9, 2001 when I had the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Florida Marlins at SkyDome on “Kitchener-Waterloo Day.” I travelled to Toronto in a limo along with my dad and two friends from school.
This was because The Record had a new subscriber contest, where a carrier received an entry into a draw to throw out the first pitch at a Blue Jays game for each new subscriber that they were able to sign up during the contest period. I was able to sign up one new subscriber, and that one entry was all it took!
A few weeks following the pitch, The Record had a full page spread outlining my experience as “Blue Jay for a Day!” I still have a copy of the newspaper and the ball I used to throw the pitch!
Will (Willy) Stankiewicz
•••
I started out helping my sister, Lesley, and then took over the route when I was 12, in 1968.
The Record once did an article on me as I had saved up enough money to pay for a trip to my home country of England. There also was another boy in the article who went to his homeland. I think it was Germany.
I later picked up a second route, delivering 156 papers every night. I always won prizes.
Martin Weatherall
•••
I have fond memories of delivering The Record from 1944 to 1952 in Waterloo with my brothers and one of their girlfriends.
We delivered in all kinds of weather and I don’t remember ever missing because of illness. In fact, there were times I covered two routes when someone couldn’t make it. I remember doing a route after an ice storm and I had to crawl on my hands and knees up an icy slope to the last house with a paper in my hands ready for the dog. Fortunately, the dog was in that day.
There were perks. Twice I won trips to see the Ice Capades in Toronto with meals at the Old Mill. In 1947, I was among the large group of Record carriers on the steps of old Kitchener City Hall after receiving Canadian Citizen documents. I was 16 when I was told I was too old to be delivering The Record and was asked if I would like to work in the circulation department from 5 to 6 p.m. after school each day and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, which I did for three years.
Flora M. Geddes ( formerly Betty Groff )
•••
Being a Record carrier from 1979 to 1983 was my first job. I remember my interview almost 40 years ago like it was yesterday. Such a great experience, in responsibility, customer service and earning a wage. The Record had great delivery incentives for carriers whether it was a medallion, plaque, or trophy for perfect service, or a free Big Mac for gaining a new customer/ subscription. There was also a sense of community with being a young carrier, as you were able to get to know your customers who, in most cases, were your neighbours. A wonderful experience and memory.
Pete Fowler
•••
Growing up in Kitchener, my family subscribed to The Record. Having two older brothers who were carriers, I was an obvious papergirl-in-waiting, once I was old enough.
I have two memories of my carrier days: One subscriber on my route had a television that was visible from the sidewalk. Since we had no television, I would hide by the bushes, after papers, watching the “Howdy Doody” show. A real treat.
And when Hurricane Hazel hit the area, my mother was adamant that “I get out there and deliver my papers, before the storm.”
Mark Leveck
•••
I’ve been a Record carrier for 22 years. I’m 72 years old. I cut down my route over the years.
I still deliver through rain, snow, any weather conditions. I deliver papers through the night so my customers have their paper first thing in the morning. If their paper is not there, they know something is wrong and phone to see if I’m OK, as I have formed many great friendships over the years and appreciate the support as I get older knowing my customers care. It gives me great happiness.
Mary Gannon •••
I delivered the K-W Record in 1945 and 1946 to subscribers in the Water Sreet and Richmond Avenue areas without mishap. Bert Smith