Friday, February 7th, 2025

It is with a heavy heart that we at The Creemore Echo say so long to Fred Mills.

Mills has been an integral part of The Echo team for seven years, delivering the newspaper to post offices and vendors every Friday, taking photos at local events, selling ads, greeting customers at the office, answering phones and helping with the daily operation of the office. As “assistant” Mills has been an invaluable helper to everyone at The Echo and to the community at large.

“I feel it’s time for a change,” said Mills, who also works part time at Devil’s Glen and recently took on a part time job at Creemore Springs Brewery.

Mills was hired at The Echo by former publishers Craig Simpson and Phil Stevenson shortly after moving to the village in 2009.

“I want to thank Craig and Phil for hiring me and also to Sara (current publisher), Brad (former editor) and Georgi (office manager) and Mary and Tom Vandewater (the owners of the newspaper),” said Mills.

Countless Fridays, said Mills, he toured the township in rain, sun and fog, delivering the newspaper. Mills has endured many snowstorms while on delivery but he always got the paper out. He recalls one snowstorm that was particularly bad and it was confirmed when he spotted a car perched atop a 10-foot snowbank in Duntroon.

He enthusiastically covered the Creemore Santa Claus Parade for many years before taking the reigns himself, joining the organizing committee. One year he was so focused on taking photos, he actually got hit by a float.

This year, Mills walked in the parade, dressed as an elf, taking photos of spectators and floats from the road, after ushering them out of the works yard.

“I have enjoyed my different roles and I got to relate to the community, I got to know the community,” he said.

“Even though I am leaving the paper I am not leaving the community. “It’s been unforgettable to work with such a close knit second family over the years.”

Mills will still be out in the community, often with his camera. He is already working on next year’s Santa Claus Parade and he can also be found at the Creemore Curling Club, where he sits on the board of directors.

We are sure our readers would agree, Mills’ contributions to The Echo will be missed, from Fred’s Funnies to his photos of the GNE demolition derby, taken from the mud pit. Mills is often the person who greets visitors to The Echo office and the one to answer the phone and his presence will also be missed in that regard. 

Mill’s last day is Dec. 30.

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