WCJP and The Drummer relocates printing/circulation to APG, Princeton

Because of industry and economic realities, the Wright County Journal-Press and The Drummer are making changes to the weekly production routine.

Since the 1920’s, this company has handled all printing and circulation in house. This system worked well for all those many years, but now we need to make a change.

I have many fond memories as a young boy watching my dad, Jim McDonnell Jr., and his assistant pressman, Charlie Jensen, grabbing papers off the press and adjusting the press keys to set just the right ink density.

In later years, my brother, Jim McDonnell III, took his turn logging many press runs, and then, I got my chance to get ink under my fingernails.

Over those many decades, we’ve had excellent pressmen and press helpers who made it possible to get our newspaper and shopper to our patrons each week. The final press crew consisted of Kurt Lommel, Jeanne LaFave, Dan Nordstrom, and myself.

My mother, Jean McDonnell, was also heavily involved in the circulation/production department in those early years. She would help insert the sections together and then put the papers through the mailing machines so each paper had a name and address. After Jim Jr. finished running the press, he joined Jean mailing the papers.

Since the late 1980’s, sisters, Cindy Kirkham  and Bonnie Uecker, managed the weekly circulation department and all the responsibilities included. They did an excellent job for 30-plus years. Over that time, millions and millions of inserts were assembled and put into the proper towns and delivered each week. A big “thank you” to all those who worked so hard to make our deadlines each week!

Unfortunately, it is no longer economically viable to print our own publications and handle our circulation. Sadly, this meant many of our hard-working and loyal employees downstairs in the press and circulation department had to be let go. We wish those former employees all the best and sincerely hope they find employment soon.

Going forward, our readers will notice a few changes. The Wright County Journal-Press page size will be more narrow. This conforms to industry standards. The Journal-Press will have six columns instead of eight. The columns will be slightly wider.

The Drummer will stay similar in size with few changes. It will drop from eight columns to seven, which will slightly increase the width of each column. We hope these changes make it easier and more enjoyable to read our publications.

Beginning with this issue, Adams Publishing Group (APG), located in Princeton, will handle all printing and circulation for the Wright County Journal-Press and The Drummer. We look forward to serving our advertisers and readers for many years to come.

All delivery concerns should still be directed to our office at 763-682-1221.

Publication: 

The Drummer and The Wright County Journal Press

PO Box 159
108 Central Ave.
Buffalo MN 55313

www.thedrummer.com

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