Outlook returned to newsstands August 21, 1975
Thirty years ago on August 21, 1975, The Onaway Outlook was resurrected. It had been present, off and on, for nearly a century but always with different owners, staff and personnel.
But a new beginning was made when a front page editorial writer proclaimed “The Outlook is back…(and) it’s a start toward a good community newspaper.
“In restoring The Outlook to its former place of prominence among Onaway readers, we are mindful of the obligations and deep responsibility that accompanies this new venture,” the editorial stated.
“We believe that the people of Onaway and the surrounding area deserve a good newspaper that will cover news of interest relating to the fine churches, schools, clubs, and various organizations in the community. Affairs of local government, school activities – including sports, area news and social happenings, weddings and obituaries should be published to keep people well-informed.”
THE FIRST EDITION featured a football story under the headline “Onaway enjoys largest football turnout ever (in all capital letters),” as football coach John Connell was being greeted by 62 young men interested in playing on the junior varsity and varsity.
The Onaway football program entered the 1975 season with an 18 game unbeaten streak. Editor Jim Karshner, business manager Katie Preuss, and social editor Darlene Tucker made great strides in the early months of the new venture.
The Outlook was first published at the office of the Cheboygan Democrat in 1888 when James E. Spencer purchased the subscription list of about 75 names in November 1899, and put the business in a 16 x 30 foot building in Onaway.
He sold the business to Harry Tisdale January 1, 1901. Tisdale invested in the endeavor and built the brick building currently occupied by the Onaway Laundromat at the corner of North Second and State Street.
In 1902 the circulation of the paper was 1,200.
HISTORY BECOMES cloudy, but it’s probable that the paper was sold to Hal Whiteley. It was eventually sold and then ceased publ
It was started again, but printed in Rogers City, and again expired from a lack of support.
Some time later S.F. “Ferd” Stutesman came to Onaway and at the request of local citizens opened The Onaway News.
The Onaway News was on the newsstands for many years and was then finally sold to Edward Apking. His son and daughter-in-law then published the paper for a while before it again ceased publication.
It was about the time The Outlook returned to newsstands in 1975.
Free distribution was made to every home that could be reached for the first month.
“It’s your paper, for your benefit, for your town,” the 1975 editorial stated. A philosophy that hasn’t changed in three decades.