As soon as my paper arrived in my mail last week, I saw your announcement of The Local’s remarkable record of 29 media awards. How far you and your team have led the newspaper – from a small voice at its beginnings to winning the Sweepstakes Award!

Since May 1958 when Lloyd Wells replaced the “Cymbal” with the “Chestnut Hill Local,” the newspaper has continuously printed weekly issues. I began writing for the newspaper in the mid-1960s, promoting Wells’ purpose of prompting community action. 

And prompt community action it did. That is when I experienced the newspaper’s power. 

Ellen Newbold, then The Local’s editor, placed on the front page her thundering article with a photo of the drastic condition of the VFW building. The initial community response was minimal but grew under Ellen’s broad and bold articles and editorials until the community raised enough money to restore the VFW building. 

That success produced the Chestnut Hill Historical Society, now the Chestnut Hill Conservancy. The organization’s mission was clear: to address the total community and help to ensure its future. At the time, there were vocal skeptics who ridiculed this purpose by insisting that “there is nothing historic in Chestnut Hill.”

Ever since those early days, I have written for The Local and worked for the Conservancy to save our heritage. I am grateful for the newspaper’s enormous role in helping the Conservancy face threats and save our heritage for future generations. 

Shirley Hanson

Chestnut Hill