As The Forum turns 25, it’s time to reflect on our roots and the history of Shreveport- Bossier City over these past years. We hope you will enjoy seeing timelines of each year as we look back over the next 12 months. If you’ve followed The Forum over the years, then many of our presentations are sure to jog your memory. If you’re younger or a new reader, some of what happened “way back then” will be fresh news to you. This yearlong silver anniversary celebration will culminate next year in a special collector’s edition in September that will include all of the highlights in our historic look backward. This is printed history to keep and share with generations to come.
Much of our photographic history must be pulled from the actual printed pages in our archives. In many instance, the print of the photo is no longer available and, sadly, more recent digital files evaporated during an electric storm around 2007. One thing you will note is that our early history will be presented in black and white. Why? If you recall, only national glossy publications were in color when we began our publishing journey. Full color was a rare and expensive luxury.
We hope you will enjoy strolling down memory lane with us and that you will want to share even more years as we look to the future. The Forum has always been, and will always be, a team effort. So many people contribute to making this a successful and much-anticipated publication. As we look back you’ll see community leaders, government officials, business owners and entrepreneurs, volunteers for area organizations and the general public who shared stories. The good news is that many of these wonderful people are still working hard and their stories are relevant even today. That’s true grit! As we reflect we note that some of our featured personalities are no longer with us. They live on in our photos and in the hearts of the community.
When we began our first goal was to reach readers with interesting and relevant content. After all, if you have no readers, you’ll have no advertisers. We could not be successful without both. A big “thank you” to all of you for what you have helped us build together.
And speaking of advertisers, many businesses have been with us since the beginning. Our first few issues included familiar names like: Knox Goodman’s Boutique, Barksdale Federal Credit Union, Nader’s Gallery, Herby-K’s, The Village Grille, Pierre Bossier Mall, Steen Hall Eye Institute (WK Eye Institute), Akin’s Nursery. Of course there are many more that have been loyal, but these are a few that are easily recognizable. Many businesses have relocated and changed names or ownership. Do you realize that not a single large bank retains its original name? Everything must change to stay relevant and fresh in a competitive environment, even Forum.
As we give a nod to readers and advertisers, we want to acknowledge our most senior writer, Chuck Fellers. Fellers has contributed a conservative voice since our very first issue and is the only person who has been here as long as I have. Second only to Fellers as an editorial contributor is Lou Gehrig Burnett who for many years has kept city and parish government on its toes. And later Marty Carlson joined with a voice for Bossier City. Our original three employees were Lisa Smith, Nancy Larsen and Pam Goodman. As for current staff, Account Executive Virginia St. John joined us in June of 1989. Lora Fairchild and Jane Renee Smith have been with Venture Publishing for more than 15 years. Vice-President Hugh Johnson joined the company in 1999. General Manager Fayline Bass is clocking in at more than 10 years now. It is rewarding to have people committed to our company and who take pride and ownership in what we do. Thank you all for being such a vital part of the talent and drive of our team and the resulting growth of our company.
Finally I would also like to especially acknowledge Marilyn Joiner: She has been a mentor and friend to The Forum since its earliest days. I will be forever grateful for her wit, intelligence, zest for accuracy and kind direction. She and hubby Dr. Gary Joiner have to be two of the smartest people I know.
Thank you all, each and every one: readers, advertisers and employees, contributors and friends.
Jay Covington, Publisher/Executive Editor
