The Newsletter

28 years and counting...

History of the first n’ foremost Newsletter

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Every venture has a beginning and a story.  This newsletter is no different.  We are in our 29th 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.  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.  After about a year Sandra considered discontinuing the newsletter, feeling overcommitted to a number of jobs, until Jeanine Unser agreed to come on board to handle the advertising.  With support from the chamber office, the two continued until 2004. 

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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 took over as editor.  Diane ran the first n’ foremost for the next 9 years. 

Jeanine worked along side her until December 2010. 

In December 2013 Diane announced that this was to be her final issue.  At that point, Jeanne Hillis, who also got her start in the Chamber office, took on the role of editor and continued to run the publication for the next 5 years.

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

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

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While we are not journalists seeking out news stories, we endeavour to keep our eyes open to the variety of happenings in the area.  Our focus is the South East corner of Alberta.  We mail out directly to households in Foremost, Skiff, Aden, Etzikom, Manyberries and Orion.  We also welcome information from surrounding communities and have copies available for pickup at a few locations.

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

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

our communities remain strong, active and informed.

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

Heather