It says here that the November/December 2004 edition of PaperAge is our 120th anniversary issue. Wow! It's hard to believe that I was only 21 years old when the first issue rolled off the presses in 1884-just kidding of course…I was actually 25.

But seriously, PaperAge traces its journalistic forebears back to the United States Paper-Maker, a paper industry news publication established by Charles C. Walden in 1884. As I understand it, the first issue was printed in western Massachusetts in the Springfield/Holyoke area. Interestingly, that western Mass. region was referred to as Paper City. The Connecticut River provided massive quantities of water, which the Holyoke Water Power Company tapped to provide massive amounts of power—an ideal environment for papermaking.

Putting aside for a moment one aspect of ancient history, let me tell you about another. I first got involved with the paper industry in the early 50s. My father was the editor and publisher of Paper Mill News and Post's Directory (Post's is now Lockwood Post's Directory). I went to work for him and also had the opportunity travel a little, attending an array of TAPPI meetings. Believe it or not I liked the experience and stuck with it.

My first exposure to PaperAge was in the early 1970s. A friend and colleague, Ken Johnson, had bought PaperAge from Walden-Mott Corp. in 1971. Shortly thereafter, Ken asked if I would be interested in joining him as vice president and associate publisher. I agreed. And the rest, as they say, is history. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Ken died on Dec. 21, 1986 after a brief illness. He was only 58 years old—much too young. Ken was a good guy with a warm personality.

So here I am today publishing a magazine whose pages have delivered pulp and paper industry news to readers for 120 years. I'm very proud of the fact that I've been a part of that historical chain. Today, the large majority of the “grunt” work is done by my sons Michael and John, and longtime friend Ken Patrick has been with us for several years providing invaluable editorial guidance and support.

I don't have to tell any of you that doing business in today's paper industry can be a “challenge” to say the least. But even with all its ups and downs it has been pretty good to me and my family and I feel fortunate to still be an active part of it. I have to say that the biggest return is all of the wonderful people I have met, and I'll always treasure the memories.

The record of early innovations in papermaking and the development of paper machinery and products that have made the miracle of papermaking what is it today is recorded in some small measure in this 120th anniversary issue—an issue we dedicate to our readers who are the heart and soul of the industry we proudly serve.

P.S. By the way, did I mention that THE RED SOX WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!