Bob Bernard at TOPS Templeton Offset
Printing
IS
THE PRINCE OF PRINTS
Our customers often write to tell us how much they enjoy
reading the newsletter inserts found in our cartons of eggs. They have become
so popular that many of our competitors have begun following our model by
adding inserts of their own. This is very flattering as imitation is the
highest form of compliment and we are proud to have been the first. We thought our customers might like to know a
little bit about the man most responsible for making our original model
possible.
Introducing Bob Bernard,
Proprietor of Templeton Offset Printing….
Into the office comes hand truck after hand truck filled
with great big heavy boxes being rolled across the floor by a shy and
unassuming gentleman with a pleasant smile who gives us a cheery greeting to
let us know the new inserts he has printed for us have arrived. Bob Bernard has been doing this printing and delivery
routine with us since 1991.
Our founder, George Bass, wanted to have some way to let our
customers know all about our wonderful, healthful and delicious eggs. This
unique connection to our customers was one of George’s fondest hopes. George
was determined to find a way to make it happen and soon with the recommendation
of Elaine McKay, proprietor of a neighboring Calico & Cream restaurant,
discovered the solution in the skillful talents Bob and his humble, in home
printing business had to offer.
Bob’s love of printing began in high school classes in
letterpress printing which he claims was not too far removed from the days of
Ben Franklin. This passion for printing was interrupted after his first year
when, as Bob says; “Uncle Sam made an aircraft engine mechanic out of me for
his Air Force for four years.” Bob spent
the 23 years following his service to our country learning and working in
several different specialties of the graphic arts trade before starting up his
own printing business in Westborough with his sister Claudette helping out in
the office. Claudette became ill, making
it necessary to close the Westborough print shop and move the business closer
to home while Claudette dealt with the effects of Chemo and cancer surgery. Bob
established a business out of his home during this time later adding an
addition to expand his shop.
We began printing TCH Farm News inserts on a regular basis
in 1991. The first issues were for 25,000 to 75,000 prints, which have
increased to 600,000 inserts every 4 to 6 weeks! “The biggest challenge was trying to read
George’s handwriting. I jokingly referred to it as hen scratching once and
someone said it was probably because George lived with chickens for so long.”
Bob says his favorite inserts were two that demonstrated George’s faith and
personal strength in times of difficulty that he found to be an inspiration.
The first told about a fire that destroyed one of the new barns. George vowed
to rebuild and that’s exactly what he did. The second was the insert written
about the experience of losing his daughter, Katie. Bob said, “These stories
were inspiring to me, and I am sure to many other people.”
“While TCH is the primary focus of my business today, I do 1
and 2 color printing for a variety of local businesses and individuals. I truly
have been blessed to have the opportunity to work with some of the best people
I know here at The Country Hen.”
