While both the Escanaba Daily Press and the Iron Mountain Daily News are written in their respective cities, the printing of both papers takes place at the Powers Printing facility, tucked just off U.S. 41 in Powers. It’s there the behind the scenes magic takes place, transforming digital files into the completed print product that arrives on doorsteps across the Upper Peninsula.

“A lot of people don’t know that. They just think it’s printed in Escanaba or Iron Mountain,” said Johnson.

While she is originally from Escanaba, Johnson’s role at Powers Printing began in the spring of 1978, when she began working part-time in the mailroom. Unlike the “mailrooms” many are familiar with, where in-going and outgoing mail are sorted, the mailroom at Powers Printing is where newly-printed papers are filled with advertising inserts, counted, and bundled before being placed on trucks and shipped out to home delivery carriers. It’s a labor-intensive process, and even now, 40 years later, many workers are needed to prepare the daily newspapers and circulars like the U.P. Action and the Iron Mountain ADvertiser.

By August of 1978, Johnson was a full-time mailroom employee. Eventually she became a supervisor and took on more office work. Today, her full title is “mailroom supervisor and office/building administrator,” but even with the added titles, Johnson’s primary goal is keeping the mailroom running smoothly.

Ilsa Matthes | Daily Press Sally Johnson shows off two recently-printed papers, The Daily News and the Daily Press. Both papers are printed at Powers Printing, where Johnson has worked in the mailroom for 40 years. She will be retiring July 2.

“My main thing right now is to get this mailroom in sync with all the inserts and going out on a daily basis and getting out on time,” she said.

Keeping the mailroom running like a well-oiled machine starts a week before the papers are printed. She connects with the circulation departments for both the Daily Press and the Daily News to determine how many advertising inserts are going to be included in each day’s paper. Then she writes out a schedule and figures out how many people will be needed to run the inserting machines and other mailroom equipment. At various times during the week she checks to make sure inserts have arrived at Powers Printing. Along the way, Johnson trouble-shoots any hiccups that arise in the process.

“(I’m) helping them if they need help. I’m up here when they need me,” she said.

While the ultimate goal of getting papers to readers hasn’t changed much in 40 years, there have been other changes at Powers Printing. When Johnson started in 1978, the facility was brand new — constructed only a year earlier — but changing technology and equipment needs meant three more additions would be added to the building during Johnson’s time there.

Some of the changes Johnson witnessed included switching from black and white printing to including color, changing to a different width of paper, and making the jump from analog reproduction to digital. She also watched as older employees left the press and new faces joined the operation.

“I’m going to miss the people. I’m really going to miss the people. I’m going to miss my work definitely, because it’s like my second home,” she said.

On Wednesday, almost a week before her official last day of July 2, the staffs of Powers Printing, the Iron Mountain Daily News, the Escanaba Daily Press, and family and friends came to visit Johnson at a luncheon held in her honor. It was an opportunity for her to see friends and coworkers past and present from all parts of the newspaper creation process.

As for the future, Johnson isn’t quite sure how she’ll spend her newfound free time. She expects to relax, catch up on home upkeep, and spend time with her father, who is in his 90s.

“I do have three beautiful grandchildren. Three girls, and I’m definitely going to be spending more time with them. Definitely,” she said.

As for Powers Printing, veteran employee Jill Barr will be stepping up to take over for Johnson and ensure the mailroom keeps running smoothly.