Ray and Joanne Lachambre were awarded with Silver Quills

 

I first met Ray Lachambre in 1997. He stopped into my office and introduced himself. He and Joanne had just bought the Sundre Round Up. Once I got beyond his luxurious beard, thick flowing hair and six pack, you soon learned what a good guy and welcome addition he’d be to the area. The six pack was Pilsner of course. What else would a Saskatchewan boy drink?

 

Back then I competed with the Olds and Sundre papers and my free product was distributed in Sundre as well. Despite being competitors, we soon formed a friendship and shared ads, news copy and a lot of laughs.

 

In 2005 Ray and Joanne joined forces with Great West newspapers and so did I. Ray and Joanne were shareholders for a brief time and then sold their shares to me. They also held interests in the Cochrane Eagle and Airdrie City View, which were sold to Great West. They were naïve enough to think that buying land, holiday homes and classic cars was a better use of their money than staying invested in the newspaper business. I’m sure they regret their decision.

 

Ray and Joanne are not only life partners but have been co-owners of community weeklies and print shops since they bought the Wynyard Advance in 1985. They’ve produced quality papers during their tenure and have been recognized receiving numerous provincial and national awards.

 

The two have been active in the communities they’ve served:

 

Joanne was active in the Wynyard Curling Club and other community events while raising her active family. She was part of the Wynyard Precision Skating team that won a Canadian gold medal in 1998 and a silver in 1999.

 

Ray has been involved in Kinsmen and hockey and curling associations in Wynyard and Sundre. Joanne and Ray are avid golfers, proud parents of their two successful children and doting grandparents to four. 

 

Ray’s title continued as the publisher of the Sundre Round Up. He also served as the print manager based in Olds. The truth is Joanne ran the Round Up and Ray was dedicated to our print shop. Ray’s extensive knowledge of the print business and his charm helped keep our little print shop humming.

 

After careful consideration. Actually, I don’t think there was much consideration at least on Ray’s part, the Lachambres were decent to give at least a year’s notice about their pending retirement. Their life of rest and relaxation started January 2019.

 

Initially, Joanne was reluctant to embrace a life of sun, golf, grandkids, family and friends. It seems the two have transitioned well into the retirement mode.

 

Thank-you Ray and Joanne for your contributions to the newspaper business and your community. It’s been a pleasure working with you for the last 14 years. I will always cherish our friendship.

 

Please help me welcome Ray and Joanne Lachambre, recipients of this year’s Silver Quill awards.