Homer Foster
This edition of Sky Studio is dedicated to Homer Foster who joined former colleagues in Sky Studio, March 31, 2021.
Most residents will immediately associate Thessalon, Ontario born Homer Foster with the Sault Star newspaper where he spent decades as an editor, writer and mentor. You’ll read about that chapter of his life in the Sault Star stories about him below.
Many others will associate Homer and his long time involvement with and dedication to city planning, something he discusses with former colleague and Sault Star columnist, Tom Mills in a video Oral History interview, link below. The engaging discussion intermingles his journalism career and his volunteered civic contribution through the Sault Planning Board.
But, not many will think of Homer as a radio reporter, which is how his career in news reporting began in the 1950s at Soo, Michigan’s WSOO. (check at about the 10-minute mark of the Oral History video, to hear how his Air Force experience on a public address system influenced his career choice.)
The station owners at the time were Stan R. Pratt and his wife Anne Osborn Pratt, who was granddaughter of the then former Michigan Governor, Chase S. Osborn. Stan and Ann also owned the Soo Evening News newspaper. Homer talks about how Stan Pratt saw the wisdom of having Sault, Ontario news content and newscasts to attract listeners and compete even more with CJIC radio.
You’ll hear in the Oral History how Homer describes going back and forth to Soo, Michigan every day, seven days a week on the ferry boats to report Sault, Ontario news on WSOO. He talks about becoming so busy he needed an assistant and found one in Lionel McAuley, who was later attracted by CJIC radio to head up its news department, based on his experiences in broadcast journalism at WSOO.
Much of the city’s news direction and influence as well as the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s planning and growth came from Homer Foster, a journalist and community leader of the kind who will likely not come around again. Add in his WWII service and Homer truly earned and deserved his role as one of the Greatest Generation.
Sault Ste. Marie, Oral History of Homer Foster in conversation with Tom Mills:
Sault Star tributes:
Foster was long-time Sault Star editor | Sault Star
Homer Foster led a life well lived — and boasted a colourful vocabulary | Sault Star
Special Announcements
FOSTER, Homer Wilson - Obituary - Sault Ste. Marie - SooToday.com
Homer Foster Obituary - Sault Ste. Marie, ON (dignitymemorial.com)