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Every Thursday is "Gabber Day"
The Gabber was founded in 1968 by
George Brann, and remains at its original 49th Street location.
The first Gabber was a 12 page paper of local community events.
Many of the original advertisers are still with us today.
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Ken and Debbie Reichart
recently accepted the Business of the Year Award
from the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce
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By 1970, Mr.Brann and his little paper had
the attention of the community. Each week, the Gabber featured
articles, letters to the editor, local club events, horoscopes
and crossword puzzles and more." the Gabber " was
becoming a household word.
In October of that year, the Gabber was
recognized by Gulfport Mayor "Bud " Markham "...
for its service to the community in reporting information
concerning civic affairs and the progress of the city."
The Gabber continued to grow through the
70 's and in 1979,Ted and Elsie Havness bought the paper from
Brann. By this time circulation was 5,000 copies each week,
and distribution had expanded into South Pasadena.
Elsie 's previous newspaper experience brought
the Gabber classified section to a new high, and Ted 's "Johnny-on-the-Spot
" attitude brought more and more local news and photographs
to the paper. They continued the weekly tradition for over
thirteen years, and by the time the Havness ' sold in January
of 1992, circulation had expanded to 9,700.
The new publishers /editors, Debbie and
Ken Reichart are from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, with
a line of newspaper experience in their family. With a staff
of seven people, the Gabber continues to grow. Circulation
is
now 15,000 and distribution has expanded to include: Gulfport,
South Pasadena, St. Pete Beach, Tierra Verde, Pass-A-Grille,
Southeast St. Petersburg, Maximo, Pinellas Point, Northwest
St. Petersburg, Tyrone, Azalea, and as far north as the Pinellas
Park line.
Ken and Debbie make it clear, "We are
here to serve our readers-this paper belongs to the community."
Through the loyal support of our readers
and advertisers, the Gabber will continue to serve the community,
and make every Thursday "Gabber Day "!
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