Fake newspaper in 1981 was April Fool’s joke

GRAVENHURST — Today is the 40^th anniversary of one of the greatest pranks in Gravenhurst history.

On April 1, 1981 residents woke up to a screaming headline: ‘SEGWUN SINKING.’

‘Committee in emergency meeting this morning decides to ‘refloat’ ship regardless of expense. ‘What’s a million? asks one member.’

The hoax was the work of a group of fun-loving citizens mocking local journalism as they produced Vol. 1 No. 1 of the ‘GRAVENHURST BANLEA.’

It was a spoof of the state of local newspapers in town which saw the Gravenhurst News joined by the Gravenhurst Banner and then Gravenhurst Leader.

The 12-page paper was full of good-humoured stories and jocular ads.

It was edited by ‘Monty Clair’ and ‘Frank’s John’s Son.’

See the 12 pages below.