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Our Story | Our Mission | Our Vision | Our Team
Our Story:
Treasures newspaper was an idea birthed over 10 years ago while the publisher, John Syratt, was working full-time selling real estate in Calgary, AB. He would spend many of his leisure hours buying and selling antiques and collectibles. Having worked in the newspaper industry for several years and with a background in writing and advertising, he started collecting regional papers and literature related to his fields of interest. Over the years, he developed a business plan, gathered information and watched the industry's ups and downs.
From December 2002 until January 2009 John worked full-time co-publishing and editing a monthly tabloid – an inter-denominational newspaper serving the church community in Central and Southern Alberta, and parts of BC. Early in 2009 he sold his interests in that paper and worked on making his dream a reality. The very first issue of Treasures appeared November 1, 2009.
John serves on the leadership team of Lighthouse Church and is a man of strong Christian faith. He enjoys the verse, Matthew 13:44, where Jesus said, “The Kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
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A Beautiful White Figurine
The word “treasures” means different things to different people. For some it may be the diamonds tucked away in a safety deposit box. For others it may be school photos of the kids arranged creatively in a scrapbook or photo album.
Your treasure may be a coin or stamp, a vase, old tool, model train set or fly-fishing rod. It may be a family quilt or a sweater knit by a loving grandma. It may be that oak dining room table you inherited from your uncle or that painting hanging on your living room wall.
It could be that autographed Frank Mahovlich hockey card or that framed picture of a country cottage cross-stitched by a good friend.
For one family it's a white porcelain figurine unearthed in a field by a grandfather and for another it's the Royal Alberta China handed down from Mom.
Our newspaper is all about those kinds of treasures...both old and new.
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Our Mission:
To help the collector, the creative and the curious make valuable connections and discover great opportunities in print and online, by providing cost-effective advertising and informative articles.
Our Vision:
To create a simple and effective marketplace for advertisers and treasure hunters.
Our Team :
John & Leith Syratt |
Publisher/Editor: John Syratt
John Syratt has been a collector and history buff since childhood. When he was 12 he wanted to live in a museum. He's bought and sold antiques and collectibles since the 70's and is a student of all things old. He is also a member of the Calgary Metal Detecting Club.
For the past 15 years, his wife Leith has been part of a Calgary craft group where she and her friends have enjoyed everything from cross-stitching, knitting and crocheting to Swedish weaving and scrapbooking. John has spent many years in the publishing industry, working for a daily as well as co-publishing a monthly newspaper.
John can be reached at john@mytreasures.ca |
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Claudine Watt |
Graphic Artist: Claudine Watt
With Claudine Watt's first set of crayons, at the age of three, came a life-long passion for art. In later years she attended the Alberta College of Art and Design, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Visual Communications. She has spent the past four years working as a professional graphic artist and is presently employed in the art department of a printing company in Calgary, Alberta.
Her work has appeared at many charitable events and exhibits, and also in arts-focused newspapers. Treasures Publishing is pleased to welcome Claudine to the team.
Claudine can be reached at: claudine@mytreasures.ca |
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Doris Fleck |
Advertising Sales and Crafts Writer
Doris Fleck has been captivated by both writing and crafts since she was a young girl. After receiving her first candle-making kit at the age of 10, she was hooked.
She has 20 years of experience as a freelance writer and advertising sales specialist. She creates home made cards in her spare time and Treasures is grateful to have Doris on the team.
Doris can be reached at doris@mytreasures.ca |
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Pamela Graham
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Bookkeeping: Pamela Wade
Pamela Wade has been in the accounting/bookkeeping field for many years, holding positions within the City of Calgary's various departments.
She then moved on to work with her husband's companies handling all aspects of the business including bookkeeping, payroll and advertising.Treasures Publishing is glad to have Pam on board.
Pamela can be reached at: pam@mytreasures.ca |
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Peter Fleck |
Philatelics (Stamps) Columnist: Peter Fleck
An avid stamp collector since his youth, Peter Fleck is vice president of the Calgary Philatelic Society and a humor columnist with Canadian Stamp News.
A freelance journalist and photographer, Peter has over 30 years experience in the newspaper business, serving as founding editor of an Alberta-based paper, City Light News, from 1987-2003. Treasures Publishing is happy to have Peter as a columnist.
Peter can be reached at Vice-President@CalgaryPhilatelicSociety.com |
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Travis Murray |
Sports Cards & Memorabilia Columnist: Travis Murray
Travis Murray has been around sports cards and collectibles his whole life. His grandfather, Dick Murray, opened up Dick's Collectables 16 years ago and it's still going strong! Travis has a passion for this hobby and has always loved to collect! He remembers sorting through cards when he was barely able to see over top of the showcases.
It's a fast moving industry, prices are rising and falling all the time and Travis has made a career out of following athletes and their memorabilia. Treasures Publishing is glad to have Travis working on the team.
Travis can be reached at dickscollectables@shaw.ca |
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Michael Pavlic |
Comic Books Columnist: Michael Pavlic
Michael Pavlic has been collecting comic books since childhood. His passion is not just for one genre, but covers everything from superheroes to Mad magazines. Michael is the owner of Purple Gorilla Comics located at Calgary's Heritage Market and believes that comic book collecting should be done for fun and not so much for profit.
He believes there's a comic book out there for everyone and encourages people to buy only what they like. Treasures Publishing welcomes Michael to the team. You can visit Michael on Saturdays and Sundays at the Heritage Market at 7640 Heritage Drive SE, Calgary. |
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Lorraine Syratt |
Feature Writer: Lorraine Syratt
Lorraine Syratt is a freelance writer and part-time antiques dealer living in southern Ontario. Her first purchase was made at the age of 16 – the beginning of a life-long passion for old things. She has exhibited in antique shows, sold in numerous antique malls and markets, as well as online.
She has bought and sold everything from antique jewelry and vintage clothing to primitive baskets and collectibles. Treasures Publishing is grateful for Lorraine's contributions.Lorraine's webite can be found at: http://antiquescollectibles.suite101.com/
Lorraine can be reached at lsyratt@sympatico.ca |
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Tom McLaughlin |
Web Guy: Tom McLaughlin
Tom McLaughlin has been around computers since 1989 beginning with an Apple II+ and also teaches certification level for computer and web design at various institutions and centres across Alberta, BC, and Saskatchwan.
Treasures Publishing is happy to have Tom online. His website is ranked #1-3 in Google for "web design notes" or "calgary microsoft trainer" and can be viewed at three sites: www.tomax7.com, www.digitalsmiles.com or www.aplustraining.ca .
Tom can be reached at tom@digitalsmiles.com |
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