Hi Ho And Away Topic Offsets Through Craftsmanship
James Ryan and Vernon Cannaday shepherd THE TOPIC through long odds and aging press gear. The two master craftsmen joined the paper in 1957 and 1962 respectively, shaping readable issues with precise linotype work and dedication while supporting families in Eustis and Mount Dora communities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Ryan
Vernon Cannaday
Ryan
North Girard
Erie
Mary Elizabeth Sell
Mechanicsburg
Morganthaler Linotype School
Brooklyn
N. Y
Jim Ryan
Mount Dora
Lyle
Waverly
Cannaday
Granny Downs the Paper’s Unflappable Press Rush Hero
Granny Downs, an 81 year old active contributor at THE TOPIC, helps run the presses and rushes extra pages during crises. The widow of Eugene L. Downs, former plant superintendent, she moved from Georgia to Atlanta and later to Mount Dora with the family, joining the war years press work and remaining essential to the paper’s operation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Downs
Pearl J. Downs
Eugene L. Downs
Georgia
Atlanta
Sherman
Downes
Johnson City
Tennessee
Florida
Clearwater Sun
Tavares
Mount Dora
Here
Eustis
Old press recalls great days as new machines rise
A feature about a Weatherford old press in Mount Dora tended by Mrs. Pearl Downs. It clanks slowly beside a modern two story press that produces thousands of papers per minute. The piece chronicles memories of Calv in Coolidge, the Maine, Geronimo and Edison as the old press competes with advancing technology.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Maine
Havana Harbor
Geronimo
Carry Nation
Tom Edison
Downs
Edison
Shiny
New Press
Promotion Elevates First Lt. Jones in Viet Nam
First Lt. Jones, now Company Commander in Viet Nam, is married to a Mount Dora resident living with her parents Mr and Mrs Leonard Phillips. His parents reside in Paisley with Mr and Mrs John Jones.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jones
Mount Dora
Leonard Phillips
Viet Nam
John Jones
Paisley
Jim Ryan Vernons Cannaday and a Rookie Newswoman
A first time journalist recalls joining the Vernon Cannaday era at the paper. Jim Ryan and Cannaday guide her through headlines layout and paper deadlines. She reflects on the press room routines and the shared dedication to delivering the news on time.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jim Ryan
Pearl Downs
Vernon Cannaday
End Of Era For TOPIC Mount Dora Goes Offset
Mount Dora editors announce the end of the hot lead era for THE TOPIC. Next week the newspaper switches from the 1890s press and gear to offset printing, citing cost and flexibility. The note laments the loss of the traditional look but praises modern speed and advertising versatility.
Mount Dora's Topic Back Shop Faces Change in Upsetting Move
Mount Dora prepares to shift its Topic newspaper operation from Donnelly Street to a Citrus Culture Corp office on Fifth Avenue. The old hand fed Miehle press Mentges folder and Kluge dater from 1890 to 1930 will be repurposed for job printing. The move ends an era of authentic Americana and a living museum of early 20th century publishing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ryan
Jim
Calvin Coolidge
Mount Dora
Lakeside Inn
Florida
Miehle
Donnelly Street
Citrus Culture Corp
Fifth Avenue
Princess Theater
Witt Receives Airman's Medal in Vietnam Duty
Air Force S T Sgt Ralph H Witt is awarded the Airman's Medal at Can Tho South Vietnam for saving a friend in South Carolina last February. He has served in Vietnam six months and plans to return home in August with his wife Diane Priester from Mount Dora.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Air Force
Ralph H. Witt
Can Tho
South Vietnam
South Carolina
Also Mentioned on This Page
Granny” Downs
Karat
Thailand
University of Fla
Artillery
Armed Services
Carolyn Kennedy
Fort Bragg
Army
Pentagon
Alaska
Fort Sills
Army War College
Carlyle, Pa
Leslie D, Jones
Mount Dora City Halls
Jackie Bowman
Jackie
Vern
Paul Paddock
TOPIC
Miehle Press
Metges
Linotype
Mount Dorans
Opera
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!