WARREN - The publisher of the Tribune Chronicle described the process of gathering the news and distributing it to the community as the "miracle on Franklin Street that happens every day."
Charles R. Jarvis, who has been the Tribune Chronicle's publisher since 1998, on Friday provided a glimpse of the newspaper's daily operations from gathering the news to distributing it. He spoke during opening ceremonies of the newspaper-sponsored Founders Festival in Warren's Courthouse Square Park.
The event continues 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. today.
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Jarvis said he is confident there will always be an appetite for news. Although it's not clear how that news will be distributed in the future, the Tribune Chronicle is in it for the "long haul," he said.
Jarvis declared the Founders Festival open and encouraged the dozens of people in attendance to "relax on Courthouse Square and enjoy what we have for you."
Warren Mayor Doug Franklin and Trumbull County Commissioner Dan Polivka also offered remarks. Harpist Marian Mihas sang the national anthem, and later performed at the gazebo on her harp. Sam Lanza led the Pledge of Allegiance. Champion Boy Scout Troop 25 presented the colors.
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Tribune Chronicle / R. Michael Semple
Newsboy Gaige Armstrong makes the rounds Friday in Courthouse Square during the festival.
Franklin said the city of Warren and the Tribune Chronicle are intertwined. Residents respect the newspaper and trust it to report the news of the day, he said.
"The Tribune Chronicle recorded the events of yesterday, continues to report the news of today and hopefully will continue to do so into the future," Franklin said.
Polivka recalled a time when he delivered the Tribune Chronicle and commended the newspaper for its involvement in the community along with its commitment to reporting the news.
Fact Box
The Tribune Chronicle is marking the bicentennial of newspaper publishing in Warren with a Founders Festival celebration which continues today in Warren's Courthouse Square Park. Following is a schedule of the planned festivities. All events are free, and the public is invited.
Today's schedule:
Events open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Courthouse Square Park, downtown Warren
10 to 10:45 a.m., Sutliff stories, Sally Thomas, Courthouse Square tent
11 a.m. to Noon, Meet the Editors, Tribune Editorial staff, Courthouse Square tent
Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 9, self-guided tours will be available of the Sutliff Museum, Upton House, Edwards House, Women's Park, Trumbull County Veterans' Memorial, Pioneer Cemetery, The Warren Heritage Center, Trumbull County Tourism Bureau (Connecticut Land Office) and the historic Perkins House, which now serves as Warren's City Hall.
12:15 to 1 p.m., Former Tribune Chronicle owner, Zell Hart Deming presentation, Mackenzie Leskovec, Courthouse Square tent
1:15 to 2:30 p.m., Trumbull County Courthouses presentation, Courthouse Square tent, followed by a walking tour of Courthouse Square, Wendell Lauth
2:30 to 3:15 p.m., ''Burt's Eye View Live,'' Burton Cole, Courthouse Square tent
3:30 to 4:15 p.m., William McKinley, portrayed by Mike Wilson, Courthouse Square tent
4:30 p.m., Civil War diary presentation, Charles R. Jarvis, Courthouse Square tent
Exhibits, including archived newspaper editions, famous front pages and historical photos, in the Log Cabin, Courthouse Square Park.
Exhibits of past editorial cartoons by artist Rick Muccio published previously in the Tribune Chronicle will be on display under a Courthouse Square tent and available for purchase.
Historical prints of scenes from Trumbull County by local artist Jim Friend will be on display and available for purchase in Warren's Log Cabin downtown.
Kip Minnick, sponsored by Trumbull Art Gallery, will discuss "period items" used by both men and women for chores in homesteads, Courthouse Square tent.
Festivities will include children's games and activities, some coordinated by the Trumbull Art Gallery. They will feature early Western Reserve activities that children of that era enjoyed.
Performances of musicians, singers and other performers, including Stephen Foster Chorus, Denise Starr, Marian Mihas and the Friendly Squares, a square dance group, are planned for the Courthouse Square Gazebo.
Plein aire water color painters will be painting.
Demonstrations from the historic era, such as pottery-making, weaving, spinning, quilting, beading and/or knitting.
Antique automotive displays: including Packard car, antique motorcycle, antique fire engine from Warren Township, hearse from McFarland and more.
Food will be available for purchase from local vendors.
The Founders Festival is part of a yearlong calendar of events the Tribune Chronicle has been hosting in celebration of the bicentennial of newspaper publishing here. On June 9, 1812, the first newspaper was published in the Western Reserve. It evolved through the years to today's Tribune Chronicle.
Sue Shafer, Tribune Chronicle community events coordinator, described the Founders Festival as a "relaxed walk down history lane."
Mary Alice Tvaroch of Niles, who attended opening day with her 7-year-old granddaughter, Reilly Fabrizio, said she has always wanted to visit Warren's Log Cabin, which as part of the Founders Festival has been filled with displays of famous front newspaper pages, memorabilia and photographs.
"I love history, and I like the newspaper," Tvaroch said. "I find it all very interesting. This was an opportunity to see what all of this is about and go to the Log Cabin."
Kay Tisher of Howland, who attended the event with her husband, Tom, and daughter, Sandy Van Huffel of Warren, said her family has subscribed to the Tribune Chronicle for 60 years.
"It's still the best paper for us," she said. "It keeps us up to date on what's happening in our community, in our county. It's a big part of our lives."
Of Friday's festival events, Tisher said she especially enjoyed the Sutliff stories Sally Thomas told under a tent on the courthouse lawn and the information she provided about the local Underground Railroad connection.
Charlie Rice of Howland, who said he was drawn to Hugh Mullen's display on Civil War artifacts, said he's been reading the Tribune Chronicle at breakfast every morning since he retired 20 years ago.
"I didn't really have the time before that," he said. "But it's what I do and have been now for a long time. It's a big part of my day. I think the paper's gotten better over the years and is better now than it's ever been. It's important to keep up with what's happening. It gives me that and I appreciate it."
Attendees have their choice from a variety of food that is available for purchase. The free activities including live entertainment at the gazebo, children's games, displays, readings, re-enactments and demonstrations, continuing today. There also are self-guided walking tours of downtown historic sites, lectures, entertainment and an opportunity today to meet the newspaper's editors.
Jarvis said the Founders Festival provided the Tribune Chronicle with an opportunity to thank its readers.
"It's our mission, our life, our future to continue to journalize the news in Trumbull County," he said.
Today's Tribune Chronicle includes a 200th anniversary keepsake edition.