By Phil Stuart

For over four decades, Dalton and Edith Munson of East Machias faithfully delivered the latest issue of the Machias Valley News Observer to readers every week. Edith passed several months ago, and as is the case with many couples who have been married for such a long time, Dalton was soon to follow.   

Dalton worked for the paper for over forty years, delivering copies to stores and the newspaper office on Broadway. His name didn’t show up in the pages like mine, Paul Sylvain’s, Will Tuell’s, Nancy Beal’s, the late Ruth Leubecker’s, or any of the other writers who have brought the weekly news over the years, but he had the most important job of anyone before the internet took over -- getting the paper onto the shelves in all kinds of weather, week after week, month after month, year after year, and decade after decade. 

Every Tuesday, Dalton and Edith went to St. Stephen, New Brunswick, or Ellsworth to get the paper from the printer. Sometimes, it was Ellsworth and other times St. Stephen, to take advantage of the exchange rate.

The Munsons looked forward to their weekly trips and were very dependable.  Dalton, in his early years, had a used car business known as Munson’s Auto Sales, located next to his home on Rte. 1 in East Machias.

After retiring in 1977, Dalton noticed an ad in the Machias Valley News Observer looking for a driver to take the copy to print and bring the papers back to the local businesses.  Dalton went in to apply for the job, and shortly after he returned home, he was hired by Gene Townsend, a professional sign painter from Robbinston who co-owned the Valley News with Jay Hinson.  Gene had painted a sign for Dalton and had a good feeling about hiring him. It turned out to be a great decision on his part because not many employees stay anywhere for forty years or more, through ownership changes, staff changes, and production changes. 

But that’s just who Dalton was: a quiet, hardworking guy who went about his work without much notice or attention. He didn’t want all the notoriety and could have given it up long before he did, but he had something you don’t see too much of anymore -- loyalty. 

I have known Dalton for a long time, and even though we worked for the same firm, we did not see each other much.  It was always a pleasure to talk with him. When we did catch up, he never seemed to get older.  He had a couple of part-time jobs where he sold cedar kindling in front of his house and also had a hubcap business that flourished back in the day.  His garage was full of hubcaps, and he enjoyed meeting the people that needed them.

Many people don’t know it, but Dalton and Edith -- she was my music teacher many years ago -- sang in a traveling group called the Sunrise Singers. They sang in nursing homes in both the US and Canada and loved to share their music with people who could no longer get out to hear it. They were also part of a cribbage club and enjoyed a good game whenever they could find it. 

Dalton was what you would call an honest, dependable employee who believed in doing things right. He enjoyed meeting people but was quiet; he knew the route like the back of his hand and must have logged tens of thousands of miles before hanging it up with COVID. I have seen a lot of people come and go from the MVNO in my days, and Dalton was one of the best. He and Edith will be missed; their level of dedication and commitment can’t be replaced.