James Lawrence Retires from News Board
by Rowan Beck, December 15, 2011,
page 13

January 25, 2001, marked the beginning of an era for The Charlotte News. James Lawrence, who has just stepped down as the president of the board, played a significant role in changes that occurred then and for the next ten year. He helped save the paper, changed its appearance, moved it from the Congregational Church vestry to its current location on Ferry Road and brought it into the technical world by moving to digital layouts and embracing the World Wide Web.
James provided guidance for the paper through the storm of a near takeover. “In the dark of night, they (who shall remain nameless) tried to steal the paper, and we raced to the State House to get the name,” remembered John Rosenthal at a holiday luncheon on December 2. “We took over on the fly and never stopped production.” It was John, who also retired from the board this year, who urged James to get involved. James, a man of few spoken words, followed with a comment that he was “very proud of the paper.”
The paper began in 1958 “as an ink-blotched Youth Group project printed on a cantankerous mimeograph machine and mailed for a penny a copy. The Charlotte News quickly became a town institution and grew to be accepted as an essential part of the glue that bonds the people and organizations together,” James wrote in a commentary in the January 26, 2001, issue announcing The Charlotte News was now being published by a nonprofit, community-based organization. Talks had begun the previous year to make the paper its own entity, separate from the Congregational Church where it began. Could it stand on its own, they all wondered? Ten years later, CN is still going strong, thanks to James and numerous other volunteers and contributors. It has seen several editors, but with James’ steady guidance and perseverance, it has weathered many a storm.
“The great thing about James was he had background in journalism; he knew about ethics,” Tom O’Brien reminisced. “He’s a great writer! He also has a wonderful talent in the publishing area.” James began EatingWell Magazine, Chapters Publishing and Microcosm, Ltd., one of the world’s leading English-language publishers of books and magazines for serious aquarists. This month he is launching his newest publication, the English language version of Amazonas, a fresh water aquarium magazine. “He’s really an aquarist. He has fantastic aquariums. He was even honored at CCS for volunteer of the year when he created the fish tank,” said Tom.
James carried the paper through the days of organizing the nonprofit to digitally creating the paper. He gave the paper the magazine cover it has today. Rosenthal continued, “James wrote most of the commentaries in the beginning of the first year. He had an honest vision; it wouldn’t have survived without him.” He helped define the mission of the paper as “a nonprofit, community based newspaper dedicated to informing townspeople of current events and issues; serving as a forum for the free exchange of views of town residents; and celebrating the people, places, and happenings that make the Town of Charlotte unique.”
The beginning stage of this new Charlotte News was dramatic, reminiscent of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. John Hammer, John Rosenthal, Janice Heilman, Dorothy Pellet and James were the original merry band. Rosenthal chuckled as he said, “He cobbled together a group of unprofessional people and made us very professional.” They had writers’ nights when ideas for all the different stories and features were put on cards. Community members were invited over, and each would choose a story to write. Papers were assembled late into the evenings. A romantic image was created, led by a quiet, shy, somewhat gruff individual. “We just want him to be more charming!” Tom O’Brien laughed. He’s known James for more than 20 years.
James is retiring from The Charlotte News, Inc. Board of Directors now that his home and business have both moved to Shelburne. John Hammer, secretary of the board, wrote, “James has been a strong supporter of the News through thick and thin. I think it fair to say that the News might not be here without his leadership. I will miss his wry humor and focus. His deep knowledge of journalistic rectitude was a very welcome asset, and we will really miss his presence.” James has agreed to continue helping as needed, and the board has declared him a PFE – Permanent Fixture Emeritus. Thank you, James. We will miss you.