By: Forgottonia Times™ Report

As The Forgottonia Times celebrates its one-year anniversary this month, we find ourselves reflecting on the many hands and hearts that have helped us reach this milestone. Among those who have guided and supported us from day one, one name rises to the top: KK Stevens Publishing Company in Astoria.

While our team worked to bring stories to life, the crew at KK Stevens ensured those stories made it into print—tangible, beautiful, and timely. And this month, we’re proud to shine our Small Business Spotlight on them, in deep appreciation of their unwavering support and longstanding excellence in printing.

A Legacy Rooted in Ink and Innovation

The story of KK Stevens Publishing Co. begins with a man named Kenneth Keith Stevens—affectionately known as Ken. Growing up on a farm in Nebraska, Ken was surrounded by the dual influences of education and machinery. His mother and grandmother, both teachers in a one-room schoolhouse, nurtured his love of language, while his time on the farm sparked an interest in mechanics. But it was in the newsroom, working as a “printer’s devil” in high school, where Ken found his calling.

After serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, Ken traveled the country, working in newspaper offices and learning every facet of the trade. He moved from job to job, not out of restlessness, but out of a hunger for knowledge. That pursuit eventually brought him to Missouri, where he met and married Mary Ann, a native of Hannibal.

In 1959, they bought the Argus Searchlight in Astoria for $8,000—drawn by the desire to both be closer to Mary Ann’s home, and to own a newspaper business in a small town. Thus began what would evolve into KK Stevens Publishing Co., named in honor of Ken himself.

Their early investment in cutting-edge technology paid off: in 1963, they became the second printers in Illinois to install a web-offset press, a revolutionary technology that cut production time down from a full day to just an hour. Though some called him crazy for installing such advanced equipment in a tiny town, Ken saw the future—and bet on it.

By the mid-1970s, KK Stevens had installed a third press and was printing around 50 local papers. Today, they’re printing 58 weekly newspapers from across the Midwest and beyond, including “Tidbits of Niagara” all the way in New York.

The Stevens Family: Then and Now

When Ken passed away in 1988, following his wife’s death in 1977, his children took over the family legacy. Tim Stevens, just 21 at the time, and his brother Tom, then 26, stepped into leadership alongside their sisters Karen and Stephanie. Tragically, Karen passed away from cancer in 2012 after years of dedication to the business. Stephanie remained intermittently involved until the brothers bought out her share in 2016.

Today, Tim and Tom continue to run the company 50/50. They've been working at the company since childhood—Tim jokes they joined the team "as soon as we were old enough to do more than just be in the way."

Their leadership has maintained the company’s strong foundation while adapting to changing times. KK Stevens is now home to a dedicated team of over 45 employees—individuals whom Tim describes as “great local small-town, hard-working people who care just as much about our customers coming back every week as we do.” Several staff members have spent decades with the company, including a bookkeeper who worked for 48 years before her much deserved retirement.

From Hollywood to Genealogy: A Printer of Many Pages

KK Stevens produces far more than weekly newspapers. About one-third of their output includes monthly editions, booklets, and books—like The Forgottonia Times. Another third comes from general commercial printing, including college brochures, park district guides, and even Amish catalogs distributed across the Midwest.

Tim’s favorite product they have produced is a series of three books for Veterans of Underage Military Service (VUMS), titled “America’s Youngest Warriors.” Compiled by Ray and Susan Jackson, this three-book series shares firsthand accounts from veterans who enlisted in the military before they were legally old enough, some as young as 11. With over 600 pages per volume and thousands of submissions, this series holds a special place in Tim’s heart.

The Printing Process

Ever wondered how each edition of The Forgottonia Times comes to life?

After our team curates and designs the Forgottonia Times digital file, we send it off to KKSPC. Their pre-press team processes these into RIP (Raster Image Processor) files and then design from those files is etched onto aluminum-based printing plates. These plates are wrapped onto cylinders, transferring inked images via rubber blankets to newsprint paper that is fed from a 5-mile-long roll! The papers are then cut, folded, sorted, and mailed—right from their facility—thanks to on-site USPS verification.

All ink used is soy-based, a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum. Plus, all paper used is part of a sustainable forestry cycle— a byproduct from log production is transformed into paper, and whatever else is needed is grown from trees that are planted specifically to make paper. For every acre harvested, 1.3 acres are replanted, both to later be used for paper, and to reforest areas that had been destroyed before anyone worried about deforestation. Much of the newsprint for KK Stevens comes from Mississippi, where a longer growing season supports faster tree maturity.

A Pillar of Print in the Digital Age

While the world rushes toward digital, KK Stevens remains committed to the value of print. Their work is a testament to the enduring power of the printed word and the quiet, steadfast industry of a family business rooted in community values.

On our first press tour at KK Stevens last year, watching our debut issue roll off the machines, we were filled with excitement—and immense gratitude. One year later, that feeling remains stronger than ever. If you'd like to watch the process for yourself, check out the video we filmed of our first edition on the About Us of our website.

Thank you, Tim, Tom, and the entire KK Stevens Publishing Co. team. We couldn’t have done it without you—and we’re proud to be one of the many stories you help bring to life, page by page.

KK Stevens Publishing Co. — The Backbone of The Forgottonia Times

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