WESTFIELD — What is the secret to success in publishing a smalltown paper in the wake of the closure of the majority of local newspapers?
Lauren S. Barr will provide relative answers in her upcoming Hale Speaker Series talk, titled “The Longevity of The Westfield Leader.”
The speech is scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, at 7 p.m. It will take place in the Meeting Room at the Westfield Memorial Library, located at 550 East Broad Street, as part of the 15th annual Hale Series.
The Westfield Leader
has been in existence for 134 years and has had 11 owners. Mrs. Barr has served as publisher and owner of both The Leader and Union County HAWK since 2020. Her previous work includes freelancing for the New York Post, serving as a paralegal, and owning a public relations consultancy.
A Westfield native and Westfield High School alumna, Mrs. Barr has been involved in multiple communityrelated activities, including spending a decade as an EMT with the Westfield and Clark volunteer rescue squads. She currently serves as president of the Rotary Club of Westfield and as first vice president of the JCC.
“ The Leader remains an important part of this town,” said Hale Series board member Tina Lesher, Ed.D., a retired journalism professor, “and it will prove fascinating to hear how it has continued to survive in the difficult arena of local journalism.” The Hale Speaker Series was founded by Lee Hale in memory of his wife, Anne. After the passing of Mr. Hale, the series continued under its current name and has featured talks by outstanding individuals who have ties to Westfield. Earlier this year, the Hale Series offered talks by Jim Kossler, a former FBI agent, and Timothy Rub, a veteran director of major museums. In November, the current series will conclude with a talk by FIFA World Cup executive Dan Lynch.
Mrs. Barr’s talk is free and open to the public but pre-registration is required online at www.wmlnj.org or by calling (908) 789-4090, extension 0.
Linnea Rhodes is chair of the Hale Speaker Series committee, the members of which also include Barb Hale, Marcy Lechner, Tina Lesher, Mary Orlando, Ellen Albertson and Sherry Cronin.
