In its inaugural issue, the Beach Gazette pays homage to the history of local news at the Beaches as a launchpad for the next phase of local news. The letter from the editor on the front page of the first edition of The Beaches Leader in 1963, republished below, still resonates in 2026.
Over the coming months, the Beach Gazette will build out our standing sections alongside our coverage of the issues facing the Beaches. We will bring back coverage of the schools at the beach, with a special focus on Fletcher High School. Readers can stay informed about new businesses opening at the beach. A dedicated section, Beach Buzz, will cover what readers can do at the Beaches in the week ahead. We will post death notices and, once again, offer people the opportunity to memorialize their loved ones through an obituary section. Readers will stay informed about their neighborhoods as we bring back coverage of where arrests have taken place at the Beaches. Rotating sections will cover the environment, gardening, fishing, restaurant reviews, and surfing.
The Beach Gazette will deliver the news online through its website and social media platforms. The limited print run of the first issue is a taste of where we hope to be in year two: offering information both online and in print. As we grow, we will experiment with different mediums to see what resonates with our community. We understand that while some people like print newspapers, others prefer a quick rundown through podcasts and short-form platforms. We want to reach you wherever you are to answer your questions and tell you how the issues may affect your lives.
The main difference between The Beaches Leader and the Beach Gazette is that we are community-owned and editorially independent. The news is free for all to read online, supported by local businesses, grants, and individuals throughout the Beaches who believe in independent local journalism. That support funds the work; it does not steer it. No donor, sponsor, or advertiser directs our coverage. As our tagline states: Independent. Local. Accountable. Yours.
Georgette Dumont
Publisher, Beach Gazette
