Whaddaya mean no more newspapers?
With some of the metropolitan newspapers folding and going on line with the news, it seems as if the newspaper industry is on the ropes and appears to be doomed. Wel-l-l-l-l maybe not. My experience has shown that the small daily newspapers, like the Pilot News, have an advantage over the larger metropolitan newspapers because they are the ONLY NEWSPAPERS in the WORLD that CARES ABOUT THEIR CITIZENS and still gives you local news. Do you realize that your local Pilot News is a daily history book which reports, records and promotes happenings in Marshall County? I’m old fashioned, I guess, but I still like to hold the newspaper in my hand, take it with me whenever and wherever I go then sit back, relax and read it with a cup of coffee.
A TAD BIT O’ HISTORY HERE
The Pilot News was owned longer (73 years by the Boys family) than any other owner. Samuel Evan Boys, my grandfather, purchased the paper in 1904 and the paper was sold in 1977. My grandfather called his entire staff “The Pilot Family” as he wanted to report the news from his “family” to “your family”. He came up with the motto “A Paper for the People” and reported the news in a fair and unbiased way. He always said “We didn’t make the news . . . . We just report it.”
The Pilot News was always there guiding the way when things got tough. People depended on the paper for the news and advertising - - keeping them informed. The paper did its part to help the people of Marshall County to get through the rough times.
For example: During the depression and again during WWII. The Pilot News offered many free services through its news and classified columns to its readers. The Pilot also helped by maintaining circulation by organizing what was called “Egg Days”. More on that later.
The paper promoted and/or sponsored worthwhile events that were for the betterment and entertainment of people of Marshall County such as: Auto Show, Cooking School, Home Show, L.P.G.A. Golf Tourney, WLS Barn Dance (both radio shows were broadcast from Plymouth), Tex Ritter Show, U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers chorus (performed three times in Plymouth) Jazz Ambassadors (performed four times in Plymouth), the Blueberry Festival and many other worthwhile events.
During WW II, the Pilot News carriers raised over five thousand dollars in War Bonds and Stamps for the war effort. In September of 1971, the Pilot News donated the ground between the library and the Pilot building (then on Center Street) so the library could expand its facility.
Hey, let’s get back to the Egg Days. OK, but what were Egg Days anyway? Glad you asked because I do remember that event during WW II, but at that time I didn’t realize what it was all about. Hey I was only 7 years old then.
It all began during the great depression (early 1930’s) when my grandfather (Samuel E. Boys) started what he called “The Pilot Company Egg Days”. The idea was to maintain the circulation which in turn would help the local retail businesses. The people wanted the paper, but they didn’t have any money to subscribe so he made it very affordable for them.
OK, here is how it worked . . . . .
Most people back then had chickens even in the towns so he bartered by having the people bring their eggs to the Pilot office (then was situated on Garro Street) They were given a receipt on their subscription amounting to the market price PLUS five cents per dozen for all the eggs they brought to the newspaper office. They could subscribe for one month, six months or for a year. Most people had enough eggs for a year’s subscription and some even made money. The customers were happy, the egg market was happy, the merchants were happy, the Pilot family was happy and all of God’s children were happy. This went on from 1930 until 1945. An average of 50,744 eggs was transacted during the two-day event each year for 15 years.
The Pilot News is now 168 years old and has seen many changes, but keeps following its course through history. Changing in some ways is OK, because that is how you grow, but now the management of the Pilot News has kept some of its tradition by giving you - - as my grandfather said “A paper for the people”.
I guess it is my turn to say something - - “I have faith in the people of Marshall County and I know they will support their local newspaper. I believe in the first amendment - - FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.
YOUR PILOT NEWS IS HERE TO STAY - - SUPPORT IT!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK-END and MAY GOD BLESS
Laugh a little, laugh a lot - - BUT LAUGH! Oh, my gosh! The end of summer is fast upon us soooo here are few “End of Summer” jokes. I’m giving up my summer body to change into my uh um “winter body” ugh.
Another one: When your summer comes to an end and all you have to show for it is 20 extra pounds and $13.42 left in your bank account.
Ok, one last one: When you suddenly realize that summer is over - - you can get back to your old habits!
Well, that’s it for now. . . so until next time . . . . this is my view from the Pilot house.