CELEB RATIN G READ ALL ABOUT US! 13 YEA RS!
We’re in the business of telling other people’s stories but we thought it was time to share ours. Who is the Southpoint Sun and Southpoint Publishing? What all do we do? Read on to find out.
Bringing News To The Community For Thirteen Years The origin of the Southpoint Sun goes back to February 2010 when the editor of the Wheatley Journal — Sheila McBrayne — collaborated with Journal Owner/Publisher Jim Heyens to create a new weekly newspaper for Leamington. On February 3, 2010, the first copies of the Southpoint Sun hit newsstands with the inaugural front page covering the annual Polar Bear Dip and a preview of that fall’s municipal election. During the first year in publication, front page stories included the June 2010 tornado, the 60th anniversary of the Leamington hospital (then called Leamington District Memorial Hospital), the 25th annivesary of the Leamington Marina, the municipal election and OPP taking over police services in Leamington. When the Leamington Post closed Southpoint Sun founders Sheila McBrayne (left) and its doors in Jim Heyens (right), recipients D e c e m b e r of the Leamington Chamber 2012, the of Commerce Sponsor’s Sun became Choice Award in 2015.
Leamington’s only community newspaper. The Sun and Wheatley Journal were initially produced as two separate products, with the Journal being a paid subscription and the Sun being free distribution, but in 2018 the sister publications became one free publication taking on the name of the Southpoint Sun-Journal for a short period of time before returning to being called the Southpoint Sun. Over the years it was decided that the publication should reflect the entire readership area and Kingsville was added to the mix, with coverage of news and community events in all three municipalities — Kingsville, Leamington and Wheatley. The Sun has thrived as a threecommunity local paper and a lot of that is because it is independently owned and operated by locals who care about the community they live in. Over the years, Southpoint Publishing introduced several specialty print publications including the Southpoint Business Card Directory, Southpoint Tourist Guide and Southpoint Living magazine. In 2016, Southpoint Publishing also acquired the River Town Times in Amherstburg, which continues to operate under the Southpoint Publishing umbrella to this day.
Southpoint Publishing Staff All Together Again
After a few years with a number of employees working remotely, and most recently with the Southpoint Creative Group team working out of an office on Oak Street, all Southpoint Publishing employees are working together again at the Sun office on Talbot Street in Leamington. A neighbouring business recently left their space which
presented the opportunity to expand on the Sun’s current office, allowing for all Southpoint Publishing staff to be able to work together under the same roof again for the first time since March 2020. The office is located at 194 Talbot Street East, Unit 2 in Leamington and is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4:30pm and Friday from 9am to 12pm.
Jim Heyens and Sheila McBrayne remained at the helm together until March 2020, when Sheila left the business and handed the editor’s pen over to Mark Ribble, a week before the COVID pandemic shut down the world. Although it was definitely a challenge, the Southpoint Sun has emerged from the pandemic as strong as ever and remains the community newspaper in Kingsville, Leamington and Wheatley. “We’re proud of our high readership,” says editor Mark Ribble. “High readership not only benefits us, it benefits the advertisers who entrust us with their message.” Melissa Hopper took over the Publisher’s job from owner Jim Heyens in the spring of 2022, as Heyens assumed an ownership-only role at that time. “We know there are many people who believe that print is dead,” Melissa says. “However we know there is still a large readership who look forward to getting the paper each week and also a large number of advertisers who rely on the paper to get the word out about their businesses. We’re grateful to our readers and advertisers, and we’ll continue to do what we do for them.”
Weekend Weather Thursday
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233 Talbot St. W. L e a min g to n
519-326-9018
Volume 1, Issue 1
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
FREE
Election buzz starts early
IN THE NEWS
By Sheila McBrayne
Interest has surfaced early for the Leamington Mayor’s position in this year’s Municipal Election slated for Monday, October 25. John Paterson plans to take his place in the Mayor’s seat this fall as he officially filed his nomination papers with the Municipality of Leamington on January 22. Incumbent Mayor John Adams has not filed his nomination papers (yet), but stated that he fully intends to run for his third term in the top spot. Mayor Adams was contacted on his cell phone on Friday, January 29 just prior to his tee-time in Florida. “I’m on holidays and just haven’t done that yet, but I will,” said Adams. This would be Adams’ third John Paterson term as Mayor having claimed victories in the 2003 and 2006 Municipal Elections. Paterson, a 55-year-old businessman, says it’s time for him to step up and take the top leadership position in his
If you thought it was cold outside on Saturday, January 30, you should have tried jumping in Lake Erie! The 10th Annual Polar Bear Dip held at Lakeside Park and Cedar Beach in Kingsville attracted 23 teams of excited polar dippers. The total for the dip and dance which was held Saturday night reached $60,000. (Sun Photo)
Polar Dippers raise $60,000
Twenty-three teams of Polar Dippers splashed into Lake Erie on Saturday, January 30 for the 10th Annual Polar Bear Dip. Teams from Windsor, Essex and Leamington area raised $34,000 for Child Can and Youth & Family Services. Kim Cavers, organizer, stated she was very happy with the amount raised this year. The $34,000 from the teams, added to the money raised at the dinner and dance, totaled approximately $60,000, which matched last year’s total. “That was our goal and I’m so glad we met it,” said Kim. The team from Highline Mushrooms was the top fundraiser this year bringing in over $6,100. They were the winners of the $1,000 gift certificate from Jack’s in Kingsville. The Leamington Women’s Hockey League won second place which was a $1,000 gift certificate from Caesars Windsor Casino. Chris Kaiser Schiefer was the draw winner of the trip for two to Las Vegas. In the 10 years since the Polar Bear Dip started more than $400,000 has been raised locally. “When it comes to the amount of money raised, we raise the most in Ontario I think,” said Cavers.
hometown. “It’s my own personal belief that we should keep things moving… we shouldn’t hold the same position for too long – I think you have to move up or move on and I honestly think it’s my time to move up,” said Paterson. Paterson was elected Councillor in the 2006 Municipal Election and has served in that capacity for the past four years. He John Adams also served as a Councillor in Leamington from 1982-’85. “And that was during an even worse economic time… mortgages were at 20%, unemployment was at 18%, inflation was about 12%,” said Paterson. As a Financial Planner, Paterson sees many opportunities for Leamington to grow and expand its services and business opportunities. “I just want to see us do better. So much more could happen here,” said Paterson. “I’ve worked in retail in my dad’s store (Paterson Dry Goods), so I do understand the retail aspect… As a young businessman, I want to see us move ahead,” he stated. Carol Bell has filed her nomination papers for the position of Councillor. Leamington will elect one Mayor, one Deputy Mayor and five Councillors.
Family Literacy Day... Page 15
Nature Fresh Joins... Page 4
Anthony leaving... Page 3
The debut issue of the Southpoint Sun came out February 3, 2010
The June 9, 2010 front page of the Sun with coverage of the tornado that touched down in Leamington
Thank you!
Thank you to our loyal readers. While there are some people who believe that print newspapers are no longer in demand, we can assure you that they are just as in demand now as they were when this newspaper was started. Thank you to our advertisers - for without you, we wouldn’t be able to print this newspaper and share the news and so many great stories with our community. Thank you to our drivers who work so hard each week to deliver the Sun to the community.
The exterior of the Southpoint Publishing office located at 194 Talbot Street East, Unit 2 in Leamington.
SOURCE: News
Media Canada