» ‘Old newsboys’ — and girls — to help raise funds for hungry

Nick Barber talks about the news last year as he sells The Daily Gazette to Bill Keohan of Scotia, center, and Ed Robinson of Scotia. Barber took part in The Gazette's Old Newsboys' Day to raise money for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.

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Stop the presses — hold the front page! There’s big news at The Daily Gazette.

Once again, the newspaper is recruiting newsboys and newsgirls from the past. The second “Old Newsboys Day” will be held Monday, Oct. 5.

Veteran news slingers will be paired with current newspaper staffers and leaders. The teams will be stationed at local community gathering spots during rush hours and sell the morning news. Members of the public should watch for the veterans and their newspapers at places such as the Villa Italia pasticceria on Broadway, the Dunkin’ Donuts at State and Kelton streets and the Price Chopper supermarket on Eastern Parkway.

People might remember the first “Old Newsboys Day,” which played last fall as one of the events celebrating The Gazette’s 120th year in business. The newsboy legion raised $3,000 for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.

Proceeds from the upcoming big sale also will be donated to the food bank.

The Daily Gazette hopes carriers from past decades will relish another return to glory, and the chance to once again yell, “Extra! Extra! Read all about it!” As was the case last year, we’re hoping the old newsboys and Gazette personnel will be vocal and persuasive.

And this year, we’re hoping for a friendly competition between sales teams. Each team will have a name — like the “Sunrise Serenaders,” “Dawn Patrol” or “Morning Glories” — and we’re going to see which team raises the most cash. Team members and their locations will be printed in the newspaper, so friends and relatives will have the chance to buy a Gazette from their favorite newsboy or girl.

The nostalgic adventure will begin around 7:30 or 8 a.m. at most locations — including several Price Chopper supermarkets and Dunkin’ Donuts shops — and wrap up by 10. All news carriers will be invited back to The Daily Gazette’s headquarters on Maxon Road Extension for beverages, snacks and a group photograph.

Former carriers who want to once again pitch the newspaper and pitch in for a good cause are asked to contact Jeff Wilkin at 395-3124 or [email protected] by Friday, Sept. 18. This time around, please give us your T-shirt size!

Local businesses interested in hosting a team are also asked to contact Wilkin.

Home subscribers will receive their newspapers as they usually do on Oct. 5.

So one more shout out to veteran news carriers — get ready to hit the pavement one more time on Oct. 5. And practice those “Extra! Extra!” exclamations.