The Valley Gazette

Michel Lavigne

Owner/Publisher

Gregory Zawidzki

Production Manager

Christine Hudder

Staff Reporter

Sarah Lehovitch

Accounting

Jennifer Juhasz

Staff Reporter

<none> The Valley Gazette

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History of The Valley Gazette

On May 20, 2010, The Valley Gazette started out as a new kid on the block. On that date, the very first issue of the paper hit newsstands in stores in Whitney, Pembroke, Barry's Bay, Bancroft, and various other surrounding communities. Publisher and Founder Michel Lavigne initiatied the business to reflect his passion for the Madawaska Valley Township and its neighbours. It started out as a bi-weekly paper, covering everything from breaking news to in-depth features on influential community members. Subscriptions officially became available in the summer of 2010 and on February 3, 2011, The Valley Gazette began publishing as a weekly community newspaper.

From the first issue until present, the paper has been independently-owned, and is moulded by Lavigne and staff Gregory Zawidzki (Production Manager) and Christine Hudder (Staff Reporter.) The paper is printed by McLaren Press Graphics in Bracebridge, Ontario, and delivered to the area by Lavigne himself. Despite it's infancy, The Valley Gazette strives to offer a locally-owned, community newspaper to its residents and visitors.

Since the community is truly the heart of any local newspaper, The Valley Gazette welcomes news and sports tips, as well as any suggestions from the public. Drop into the office, located at 19380 during regular business hours, or call 613-756-0256.

<none> Michel Lavigne

Owner/Publisher

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Michel Lavigne is the Publisher and founder of The Valley Gazette. He was born and raised in North Bay, Ontario. His first stint in the newspaper industry was 40 years ago, when he delivered "The Nugget" newspaper to households all over the city. Michel came to Barry's Bay 13 years ago for a change of pace, and he held various jobs throughout the years. In 2010, however, he decided to start up a weekly community newspaper for the Madawaska Valley, reflecting his strong support for the Township and its neighbours. His hobbies include golfing, woodworking and fishing.

<none> Gregory Zawidzki

Production Manager

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Gregory Zawidzki was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. He attended Convent Glen Catholic elementary school and later at St. Matthew's Catholic High School. He continued post-secondary education at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design receiving a BFA, Majoring in photography and minoring in studio arts. Unhappy with the urban environment, he moved to the Madawaska Valley where he has had roots since childhood. Gregory enjoys a variety intrests including graphic design, vegetable gardening, scultpture, photography and playing music.

<none> Christine Hudder

Staff Reporter

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Christine Hudder was born at St. Francis Memorial Hospital and raised in Barry's Bay where she attended Sherwood Public School and later Madawaska Valley District High School. After graduating from Canadore College's three-year journalism program in 2009, she headed out west for a reporting position at a radio station and online newspaper. Wanting to return to her roots, Christine came back to the area to work at the Valley Gazette as a reporter in May 2010. In her spare time, Christine enjoys photography, writing, reading and travelling with her husband Benton Hudder.

<none> Sarah Lehovitch

Accounting

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Sarah Lehovitch, 28 joined on as the accounting clerk/receptionist with the Gazette on June 16. Lehovitch was born to parents Sue and Tom Sheridan, and grew up with two sisters and one brother. She attended St. Andrew’s Catholic School, and later on went off to Madawaska Valley District High School.
Upon graduation, Lehovitch attended Algonquin College in Pembroke, and obtained her certificate as a Social Service Worker. She worked around the Valley, but decided to move out west with her husband to Canmore, Alberta.
The couple resided there for three years, and even had their first-born boy, A.J. in Canmore. Soon after, they decided to return back to Ontario and came back to the Valley in May, 2009.
Sarah now holds a variety of responsibilities, including accounting, answering phones, selling subscriptions and taking classifieds. She said her favourite part of the job is meeting new people on a day-to-day basis.

<none> Jennifer Juhasz

Staff Reporter

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Schutt resident Jennifer Juhasz was born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia. When she was six-years-old, she moved with her family to her parent’s home province of Ontario and settled in Niagara Falls.
When it came time to leave for school, Juhasz decided to stay in her hometown, and enrolled in Brock University, majoring in applied linguistics.
After graduation, she enrolled in a Masters of Theology program at Wilford Laurier University. In 1997, the pair got married and moved to Toronto, where Juhasz used her skills working at Rogers Communications.
Two years before moving to the area, Juhasz and her husband decided they wanted to escape the city and raise a family in a small town. They searched for homes all across the province, and eventually found a perfect log house in Schutt. Juhasz became a stay-at-home mom to her two daughters, Anna and Tori, while her husband continued working installing air control systems.
Over the years, Juhasz got actively involved with the Palmer Rapids Public School Council and the Schutt United Church. While she has no formal journalism training, she is eager to represent the Palmer Rapids area of the County.

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