During remarks to the Edgerton Rotary Club at the Newville Culver’s on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, Publisher Diane Everson called upon her past experiences, complemented by stories from well-known guest speakers, to offer a deeper understanding of the mission, history and future of The Edgerton Reporter in honor of its 150th anniversary.
Everson’s remarks, as well as those of other guest speakers, were summarized in a Jan. 29, 2025 story in The Reporter.
Guest speakers included former Daily Jefferson County Union managing editor Christine Spangler.
Diane Everson recalled one incident involving The Deerfield Independent, from when her parents owned the newspaper before they owned The Reporter:
“There was a man who owned a retail store in Deerfield and he took out a full page ad with 96 point type at the top, which is very large, saying ‘Big Shirt Sale!’ And, sure enough, the ‘r’ was left out of the ‘shirt.’
“Can you imagine?” Diane Everson asked. “My dad was so embarrassed, it took a full day to go see the man. And when he finally went to see him and apologized, the man said, ‘Don’t worry about it. I’ve never had so many people in here!’”
The Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter started in 1874. The Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter not only included local news, it also covered the tobacco industry and relevant information worldwide. The name stayed with the paper until 1951, when it was changed to The Edgerton Reporter and Everson’s parents, Harlan and Helen Everson, bought it in May 1951.
“What I want everyone to think about from today is what’s the future of The Edgerton Reporter as it serves the residents of our community for the next 150 years,” Diane Everson said during her October Rotary speech.
The Reporter recently received eight National Newspaper Association awards, including three first place awards.
“And to be honored by colleagues nationwide,” Diane Everson concluded, “has given me a new enthusiasm for the work I do.”
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