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.

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.

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.

Like many little girls, I grew up thinking my father was Superman – all the more believable as he flew off to work at the newspaper. His job as a reporter shaped our lives.

 Front page headlines dictated conversation and public figures were spoken of as intimately as family members.

 World events obscured birthdays and personal milestones took a back seat to the political stage. We ate, drank and slept the news. It was on the radio, watched on television and read at the dinner table.

 Early on I learned to appreciate the relief as deadlines were met and papers put to bed. They were the engine that drove our lives and we craved the rush of witnessing events as they unfolded.

 Stories I learned, held power. And individuals held power- through their stories.

 My training as a cub reporter began at home.

 I was the one asked to read finished editorial copy aloud, always in my best announcer’s voice, while my father measured it for readability.

 Essays on my dresser waiting to be taken to school, found in the morning covered with well-intentioned red editorial marks.

 Simple questions answered with a stack of resource books, periodicals and newspaper clippings.

 I knew at a young age I didn’t wanted to be a front-page story but secretly I longed to write one.

 I have been fortunate in realizing that dream. I have written for a number of publications, the web and for the past five years the EMC Newspaper.

 This community based weekly was purchased by the Toronto Star or as many will recognize, Metroland Media. This move has resulted in the loss of many local newspapers across Eastern Ontario – a trend that saddens me.

 Community newspapers are an important part of our life. In addition to reporting important facts, they provide a venue for discussion and a forum for public interest groups. They are a place for us to celebrate and a place to tell our stories. They show us who we are and connect us as a community.

 I am encouraged by what is happening at The Valley Gazette and I am proud to join their team.

 The Valley Gazette has proven itself in the community; to both the readers and the advertisers. This fact was affirmed last month by the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce at their annual Business Achievement Awards where this newspaper was presented with the New Business of the Year Award.

 I am pleased to join The Valley Gazette in serving this wonderful community. I look forward to hearing your stories and feel privileged to write them.

The Valley Gazette received the  2011 Best Vertical Product award from the Ontario Community Newspaper Association. Both Publisher, Michel Lavigne and Production Manager, Gregory Zawidzki attended the awards gala at the Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto. The award is in recognition for the Madawaska Valley and Neighbours Tour Guide that Lavigne Media releases every year.