Farewell from The Friday Flyer

BY Chuck Golding

Dozens and dozens of staffers have participated over the decades in contributing to getting the news into the hands of Canyon Lake readers. They all collectively participate in a public farewell as The Friday Flyer newspaper, as of today, discontinues its weekly mailing of the publication.

“There are a few of us left who are deeply impacted by the closing of the office this week,” The Friday Flyer Publisher Chuck Golding said. “But, I can feel the angst of those who have had a part in this newspaper‘s history as we shut down the lion‘s share of the operation. There are those who have passed on, too, who look down and must feel some emotion over the end of this era.”

The Friday Flyer has been published and distributed through Periodical Mail every week since its inception in November 1990. Chuck and Editor Carolyn Knight partnered up and co-owned the contract that published The Friday Flyer and later co-owned the publication.

The Friday Flyer is an adjudicated newspaper and qualifies to publish public notices such as fictitious business name statements, city public notices, trustee sales and other public notices. Chuck said he will continue to print a miniature 8.5×11 “Friday Flyer” that will contain a page or two of Canyon Lake POA event notes and a few pages of these public notices. This little Friday Flyer handout will be available just inside the door at the Canyon Lake POA office.

The Friday Flyer is one of the last community newspapers left in the county. Many have met the same fate as The Friday Flyer.

“We have hung in there for quite some time, largely because of the great efforts of our sales staff and some very supportive advertisers and subscribers,” Chuck said. “But, the real estate market of late was the fatal blow. It was time to finally admit that it was time to surrender to the doubling of our overhead, including the printing and distribution costs.”

Meanwhile, The Friday Flyer employees will be laid off as a result of the office closure, Chuck said. Their final day will be April 30.

“After 35 years of being involved with first The Canyon Lake Community News with my dear friend Carolyn Knight as photographer and then Chuck Golding with The Friday Flyer, I am officially retired,” Senior Advertising Executive Marti Norris said. “You would think at 70 years old, I would be ready? Half of my life was spent at The Friday Flyer.”

Marti said she won‘t, of course, miss the stress of the weekly deadlines, but she will miss her customers of over 30 years who have become her friends.

“Instead of me calling to always get their ad copy in to me on time, we can just chat as friends,” she said. “All of my friends and also my family are so happy for me. But it will be so hard to just be ‘Marti’ instead of ‘Marti at The Friday Flyer’.”

Marti and her husband Lee Norris have been an integral part of Canyon Lake since 1989 and she’s hoping they can now finally be able to enjoy more of the great Canyon Lake amenities.

“We just updated and got our ‘Vintage’ Club Car back on the road so we can go on more relaxing golf cart rides,” she said. “So after May 1st, this Marti will be cruising The Lake enjoying summer in Canyon Lake. See you around.”

Lynda Hoffman, whose official title is that of Advertising Executive, also wore a few other hats, like Public Notices Executive, Bookkeeper, Receptionist, Data Entry, Service Directory, Classifieds, Collections, etc., etc. She has been with the newspaper since 1997.

“It is with great sadness and disbelief that this phenomenal era of The Friday Flyer is coming to an end,” Lynda said. “My memories are treasured while working so many years with The Friday Flyer family. As I enter a new chapter in my life, I will fondly remember the many fun experiences we all shared together.”

Lynda worked with literally hundreds of advertisers in her Service Directory and Classified Advertising Section.

“I have met hundreds of wonderful people through the years and have enjoyed my advertisers immensely,” she said. “They were all steadfast in supporting the paper and so many friendships were made between us. I thank them all for that.”

Like many businesses that have regular deadlines, the newspaper is a team.

“The most significant enjoyment for me was the great camaraderie we all shared together as an efficient and amazing team,” Lynda said. “Those deadline days were crazy and wild, but we never missed getting the paper out every Friday. I am grateful for the late, dear Carolyn Knight for her training and guidance for so many years. Thank you, Chuck for always being supportive and the glue that held us all together.”

Not to be lost in the staff acknowledgments are all those who current support and have supported the reporters and sales executives. The team includes such valuable contributors like those who make the office click. Currently that is Nadine Acosta.

We have had a literal party take place every Thursday night for years as a crew of folks label and package up The Friday Flyer and deliver it to the post office. They often work into the night to make that happen. Jake Tepperson and his crew are the ones who step up now.

And the dozens and dozens of volunteer columnists through the years have been awesome. But, maybe nobody as regular and devoted as our weather reporters. Always volunteer. Always on time. Every week. Rain or shine (pun intended).

I received this note from a meloncholy Pat Elliano as he sent us his final weather report:

Sadly, this marks my final weather report. Looking back, my brother, Louie, started delivering weather reports for The Friday Flyer on Aug.t 13, 2003. Due to his busy work schedule, my son, John, volunteered to take it over on Nov. 8, 2005, while still in high school. Juggling school, soccer, and other commitments, John and I collaborated to ensure The Friday Flyer received its weekly report. As John ventured off to college, by Sept. 2, 2008, I took on the responsibility of delivering the report each week. It’s been an honor for our family to contribute weekly weather updates since August 2003.

Although the office in the Canyon Lake Town Center will close on Tuesday, Golding Publications will continue to operate remotely. The printing business has thrived and the printers have been relocated. Printing customers will continue to be serviced as in the past, but via email, shipping and delivery.

Also, the Canyon Lake Residential Directory will be published as scheduled. Advertisements are being wrapped up now and the directory will be printed next month and distributed in June.

Subscribers can pick up the mini-Friday Flyer at the Canyon Lake POA office, or they can cancel their subscription and receive a refund of the balance of the unused portion of the subscription by emailing info@goldingpublications.com and requesting that the subscription be canceled. A refund will be issued.

All classifieds and other advertisements that were placed for weeks beyond today and paid for, will be refunded.

Public notices, though, will continue to be published in the mini-Friday Flyer, which is adjudicated and will continue to be published weekly.

Any other questions can be directed to Chuck at info@goldingpublications.com, even after the office closes.