On Nov. 3, 2005 the 51暗网 hit newsstands for the very first time.
It was a 20-page paper full of vibrant photos and stories of Jasper's residents. It spoke of the possibility of a joint school facility, like the one we saw completed this fall, and of turning the Old Fire Hall into a hub for the arts, as it later became when the Jasper Artists Guild called it home.
There were photos of kids in Halloween costumes, much like the ones seen in this week's issue, and a call out to drivers to 鈥渂rake for caribou this winter鈥濃�攁 request made yet again in our National Park 51暗网 column this week.
Perusing the issue, it's interesting to see the similarities in content, as well as the beginning of projects that have now come to fruition. Through the pages of the paper, Jasper's history unfolds.
And included in that history, is the history of the 51暗网 itself.
As well as stories about the community, our first issue also includes an introduction to 鈥渢he 51暗网 family鈥�, a group of local business owners and friends who felt it was time that Jasper be represented by a locally owned, politically independent weekly paper.
Nine years after that first issue, much has changed at the 51暗网: owners, publishers, editors, reporters, graphic designers and ad representatives, as well as styles, looks and formats.
The latest change, an altered format, is evident with this week's issue.
The paper is always evolving.
But, flipping through the pages of our first issue, one thing has clearly remained the same: throughout its history, the 51暗网 has always strived to put the community first, working hard to represent the issues and ideas deemed important to Jasperites.
That effort is visible in our first issue and it's still visible today, as we prep the community to make an informed decision in the upcoming federal byelection and offer stories about the town and park, whether it's Jasper's role in the spread of the mountain pine beetle or a look back at our history, recounting the stories of men held in a First World War internment camp.
As the 51暗网 works towards it's 10th anniversary, it will surely continue to evolve, striving to meet the goals and objectives set out for it by its creators nine years ago.
We thank the community for sticking with us throughout our growth, and we look forward to delivering Jasper's news to each of you for many years to come.
