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Published Saturday November 22nd, 2008
RETIRED NEWSPAPER EDITOR LAUNCHES BOOK
Mike Mullen, Telegraph Journal
SAINT JOHN - A new history book that started out as a retirement project prompted by retired Saint John journalist David Williams' two sons, Paul and Christopher, is now on the shelves of local bookstores.
When Headlines Spoke In Capital Letters offers unique slices of Saint John life during the latter half of the 20th century as reported by Williams, who worked for Saint John's newspapers from 1960 to 1999.
Like a scrapbook of actual news reports, it is a fascinating collection of favourite stories, columns, commentary and editorials.
"I was definitely an enthusiast; always fascinated by what I covered, whether at City Hall, on the waterfront or in the community," says Williams. "I hope these stories and commentaries reflect that."
The 70-page book, which is selling for $17.95, can also be purchased online by visiting davidwilliamsreports.com.
Williams will be on hand to sign the book from 1 to 3 p.m. this Sunday at Indigo Bookstore at East Point Shopping Centre and next Thursday, from noon to 2 p.m., at Coles in Brunswick Square.
"It's anything but textbook-dull,' says Fred Hazel, retired editor-in-chief of the Telegraph-Journal and the Evening Times-Globe. "These stories sing. This collection is not only a delightful read; it's a treasure trove of memorable Saint John history. This really is the way we were!"
A 1967 article headlined "Short Shrift for Long Locks," for example, tells of the suspension of four males from Saint John High School for wearing hair over their ears. Several photos show the author interviewing the likes of politician Robert Stanfield, entertainer Tommy Hunter, Dr. J.A. MacDougall when he was mayor of Saint John and the infamous car maker Malcolm Bricklin.
Williams said it was his sons, who both work in communications, who got things rolling by saying, "Dad, why don't you do this and we will put it together for your retirement?"
Good to their word, Paul, a graphic designer in Halifax, designed and put the book together, and Christopher's advertising and public relations firm, Williams Communications Management of Grand Bay-Westfield, published it.
Williams, who meticulously kept clippings of all of his newspaper writings in scrapbooks, said the "hard part" was selecting which ones should go in the book.
In the 1970s, Williams wrote a regular column on civic affairs called David Williams R-E-P-O-R-T-S. He later worked as city editor, editor of the letters-to-the-editor page and as an editorial writer. For more than 20 years, he has written a stamp column for the newspaper.