By: Ken Pastushyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
She was “the Silhouette lady.”
That’s what the kids called Karen Maurothe former editor and publisher of the LaSalle Silhouette community newspaper — who recently passed away at the age of 78 – when visiting schools as a reporter for various events.
“I was very saddened by her passing,” said Peggy Maria, 70, the former advertising manager and co-publisher of the Silhouette bi-weekly.
Mauro and Maria had been friends for four years before what was then the Sandwich West Silhouette in 1990. (It became the LaSalle Silhouette on June 1, 1991, when the town changed its name) They became full-time moms as their children became friends.
It just happened to be Friday, July 13 when Mauro announced wanting to start a community newspaper and Maria said she would help. The premiere issue was distributed August 11,1990 and at the time, the only publication in town.
“It was so exciting for me since I didn’t know anything about the newspaper business,” said Maria, who would eventually do the layout and bookkeeping for the Silhouette.
Fortunately, Mauro did know something about the newspaper business. She graduated from the journalism program at Simon Fraser University in the late sixties, and worked for many publications, as well as freelancing.
According to Maria, Mauro’s newspaper philosophy was to keep the material “exclusive, fresh and well-balanced” knowing every article she wrote would not be popular.
“If someone messed-up, she would report it – but responsibly,” said Maria. “Her intent was never to create controversy for the sake of sensationalism or increasing readership.”
On slow news days, Mauro would often ride around in her car, spot something, snap a photo and write about it. She liked to think you would be able to open the Silhouette and know somebody in one of the photos.
Which is why Mauro was so trusted and respected, especially when covering council meetings and elections – while having the support of the community.
“One thing about the paper is Karen and I lived in LaSalle, our kids went to school in LaSalle, we’d go shopping in LaSalle, many people knew who we were,” said Maria. “You couldn’t go hide in LaSalle.”
And Mauro and Maria didn’t try to hide, often accompanying each other at events and functions covering the news of the day. There were 10-hour days, sometimes more, especially during Christmas, for 10 straight days. But added Maria, “Because we owned the paper, we could take time off for the kids when we needed to.”
On slow news days, Mauro would often ride around in her car, spot something, snap a photo and write about it. She liked to think you would be able to open the Silhouette and know somebody in one of the photos.
“It could be one of the neighbours, co-workers, friends, family, somebody they’d recognize,” said Maria.
In turn, readers would submit a photo of them reading a copy of the LaSalle Silhouette while on vacation. Over the years, the Silhouette travelled to places like the Great Wall of China, to the Gulf War, Alcatraz, the Holy Lands, the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower and so many other places, especially during March Break.
“If only we could go everywhere our paper went,” said Maria, which was a quote once said by Mauro. “It was a great advertising tool.”
A lack of advertising to offset the cost of production and distribution is the main reason why one in 20 publications don’t make it through their first year, wrote Mauro and Maria in the Silhouette’s first anniversary issue publisher’s letter to the readers.
Yet, the Silhouette managed to survive another 20 years to the chagrin of many people, added Maria.
Every year, the Silhouette published a Christmas greeting thanking the advertisers for their support.
“Ninety per cent of our advertisers were repeat customers,” said Maria. “Some of our advertisers were in every single issue from day one.”
Circulation increased from 6,000 to 9,000 as LaSalle experienced a growth spurt.
Businesses in the town picked up the newspapers and distributed them to their customers.
Both Mauro and Maria also co-founded the LaSalle Business Association.
“We were a venue for businesses to let the public know of events,” said Maria, of the Silhouette which also published the LaSalle Strawberry Festival souvenir programs.
The Silhouette was also able to let residents know of municipal happenings taking place in LaSalle.
“There was definitely give and take,” said Maria. “There was co-operation and co-ordination between the town.”
For 20 years, the two were a team chronicling life in LaSalle until Mauro reached the age of 65 and decided to retire in 2011. Mauro would then move back to Victoria, B.C. to be closer to her two sons and granddaughter.
Maria remained friends with Mauro, but the closing of the Silhouette was one of the saddest days in her life.
“If you spend 20 years of your life with a person at a newspaper and that person leaves, it’s like your youngest child leaving home,” she said.
Maria is in the process of arranging a memorial plaque to be installed at the Healing Hearts Forest sponsored by the Families First Funeral Home at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex.
“This is where I want Karen’s memory to be,” said Maria.
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