Going down in history
Dale Ells steps down after 16 years in charge of the historical society newsletter
The last 16 years Dale Ells has taken the Colchester Historeum’s newsletter from a very small paper to a 16-page publication filled with local history, but he’s decided it’s time to step back and let someone else take over.
“I’ve enjoyed it but it’s time for a change,” he said.
Ells had just become a board member, and had said he might be able to help with something in promotions and marketing, when he was asked to take over the newsletter, which the curator had been compiling.
He had worked at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, and used to help with the alumni newsletter, so he knew what was involved. He had also authored a book called Shaped by Service: An Illustrated History of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.
“I agreed to take over the newsletter, which had been quite brief, but I had the freedom to incorporate more,” he said. “I tried to get several short articles in it and got feedback from people who liked it.
“There’s quite a lot in the area one can draw on, so I was never short of ideas. Sometimes I had more than I could fit in.”
About 10 years ago, advertising was introduced, covering the cost of printing and distributing the newsletter, which is now named Heritage Revealed.
Although many people choose to receive it electronically, there are others who prefer a hard copy.
“It’s been an interesting experience, and it’s the type of thing that takes whatever time you’re willing put into it,” said Ells. “I notified them around the first of November that I would be stepping down. They convinced me to remain to do the next one.”
That edition will be out some time during the second week of March.
Although he won’t be compiling the newsletter, Ells is still interested in the activities of the Colchester Historical Society and will be doing volunteer work.