The Newsletter

26 years and counting...

History of the first n’ foremost Newsletter

Every venture has a beginning and a story.  This newsletter is no different.  We are in our 26th year!

Where did it begin, where has it been before it came to my hands,

and how can I ensure the roots are respected?

The newsletter began sometime in 1998 as a Foremost Chamber of Commerce initiative.  The hope was to provide an outlet for advertisers and a tool for communication of local events.  The purpose certainly has not changed!  Sandra Mercier was the first editor, as a volunteer with the Chamber. 

She went on to train Sandra Scratch in 2002.  After a time, the 2nd Sandra asked the Chamber if she could take it over as her own home business, they agreed, and it has been privately run ever since.  Sandra was going to stop after about a year due to the number of part-time jobs she was holding at the time, however Jeanine Unser came on board to handle the advertising and the two continued until 2004. 

In 2002 Diane Harty began working in the same office as the Chamber and started helping with the newsletter as well.  The November 2004 issue said thank you and farewell to Sandra and,

Diane Harty took over as editor.

Diane Harty ran the first n’ foremost for the next 9 years. 

Jeanine worked along side her until December 2010. 

Diane’s final issue was December 2013 at which time Jeanne Hillis, who once again got her start helping with the newsletter in the Chamber/FCSS office, decided to take on the role of editor and continued to run the publication for 5 years.

January 2019 brought, Heather Walsh, as the 5th editor in this local tradition. 

In April 2021 Lana Halvorson joined the team as an admin assistant. 

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We hope to continue the story and that the ending is nowhere in sight. 

We look forward to hearing from you all as we make sure

our community remains strong, active and informed.

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Be sure to live your best life, one day at a time.

Heather