CLIFFORD – For nearly two decades Ivy Leith and members of her family have been making sure many residents of this village are able to keep up with the local news.
Leith, the Wellington Advertiser’s longest-serving carrier, was set to retire at the end of April from a job she’s faithfully carried out each week since May of 2002.
Leith actually began delivering newspapers, and flyers prior to that, working first with the Hanover Post.
She and her husband Charles owned a food service business at the time, and with nine children, they felt delivery could be a family affair.
“We did the whole town at that time,” she recalls.
Leith joined the Advertiser delivery staff after a short break from working for the Post.
Currently she delivers about 142 papers, including a full complement of advertising flyers. It’s enough to fill the large wagon she pulls twice over, with Leith making the trip each Thursday morning and her granddaughter Michaela Casemore delivering the rest after school.
It’s a trip she has made through all kinds of conditions, including cold weather and snow.
“You’ve got to get out there no matter what,” she said.
Did she ever miss a week?
“Never – I went no matter what.”
A week before her last scheduled deliveries, Leith said she was giving up the route reluctantly, due to health issues.
“I really didn’t want to quit,” said Leith, who continued deliveries even after having a triple-bypass surgery four years ago.
While the April 25 deliveries were set to be Leith’s last, she said she would be prepared to help someone new learn the route if needed.
It’s a job she heartily recommends.
“You get out to meet people and it’s exercise,” Leith said.
