Family-owned newspaper tradition continues

Mary Jo and Mike Lewis are the third generation of Lewises since 1914 to run the Lynden Tribune.

Third-generation publisher of Tribune worked from ground up.
     From as early as he can remember, Tribune publisher Michael Lewis was hanging around the Tribune office.
     At 41, Lewis is the third-generation publisher of The Lynden Tribune, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Sol Lewis, and his father, Julian Lewis. His uncle, William "Bill" Lewis, is also a Tribune editor emeritus.
     Lewis' early memories include coming into the Tribune office on Front Street (now the site of Flying Dutchman Coffee House and the state liquor store) and asking bookkeeper Mrs. Cole for a quarter. He was eight or nine years old.
     "I'd go down to McLain Drugs' fountain and order a cherry coke," he reminisced.
     Lewis' first job at the Tribune was as a sweeper in the back shop.
     As a teenager, Lewis worked in the bindery stuffing inserts into newspapers and catching newspapers off the presses. He also learned how to operate the web press and process prints in the darkroom.
     "I was never a paper boy," he laughed. "I don't know why not. It seems natural."
     One of the funniest memories he has is fooling around with the hot lead used on the linotype machines.
     "I would take a paper clip and open it up. Then I'd dip into the hot lead and see how much lead I could dip out of the melting pot. That lead was very hot; I burned myself a few times."
     Dismissing the idea that he was groomed for the job, Lewis said he always wanted to do it.
     "In seventh grade, my teacher Terry DeValois asked what careers we were interested in," Lewis said. "I answered, 'For starters, I think I'll try newspapers.' He got a real kick out of that."
     After graduation from Lynden High School in 1976, Lewis attended Washington State University. He worked on the Daily Evergreen, the campus daily newspaper.
     "I started out on the editorial side, but I lasted there for only a couple of weeks," Lewis said. "I've always been more comfortable on the business side."
     Lewis took one week off after graduating from WSU before joining the Tribune staff in June 1980.
     Under the tutelage of Francis Kipp, advertising director at that time, Lewis learned the ropes of ad sales.
     He assumed the position of sole publisher on Jan. 1, 1992, after his father's retirement.
     Of the many changes that have occurred since Lewis took the helm are technological changes, growth in the work force and growth of the printing operation.
     "There's larger growth on the printing side of the business," Lewis said.
     Of his position as a third-generation newspaperman, Lewis said the support of the Lynden community has been key.
     "The Lynden Tribune has been able to survive for over a century because of the support of this community," Lewis said. "Without our readers, advertisers and printing customers, it simply would not be possible to employ over 50 people.
     "We wish to thank the entire community and hope you'll join us during our open house."
     An open house celebrating the Tribune's 110th anniversary is scheduled from 2-5 p.m. Thursday at the Tribune plant, 113 N. Sixth St., Lynden. The public is invited to see the Tribune facilities and meet with staff members. Refreshments will be served.