It’s time we talked about the Roasts and Toasts
By Lethbridge Herald on November 20, 2025.
Scott Sakatch
Herald Editor
Whenever I speak with Herald readers about the paper, at some point the discussion usually turns to the Roasts and Toasts section of our Reader Forum page. Love it or hate it, there’s no arguing with the fact that it’s very well read.
But after almost a year as the Herald’s editor, there are a few things I feel I need to point out to both readers of, and contributors to, the Roasts and Toasts. The section has changed, as has society, since it was first introduced more than 20 years ago, and I often hear from people complaining that their Roast or Toast didn’t get printed. So now seems to be a good time to bring everyone up to speed, and perhaps remind them of how things are supposed to work.
First and foremost, Roasts and Toasts are meant to be quick and to the point, with a maximum length of about 50 words (shorter is better). You might be surprised at just how many people submit 150-200 words or more on a subject. Anything that length belongs in the letters section, and should be addressed to the letters@lethbridgeherald.com email, along with your name, the municipality in which you live, and contact information (email or phone) so I can verify your submission.Roasts and Toasts are anonymous, but letters need to have your name attached for accountability. The reason for this is simple: if we allowed Roasters or Toasters free rein to anonymously write at length, we would be doing our readers, and journalistic ethics, a disservice. If you have a long opinion that you want to see in print, you need to own it.
That leads to my second point: newspapers are not Facebook. If you want to see your Roast in print, you need to realize that you can’t just say whatever you want, particularly if you want to complain about or insult an individual.
There are libel laws and ethics to consider when putting out a permanent record like the Herald, as well as standards of taste, even when it comes to public figures who’ve willing put themselves in the crosshairs for criticism. Fair criticism is one thing, but I refuse to print ad hominem insults. That’s not infringing on anyone’s freedom of speech – it’s simply not allowing the newspaper to degenerate into the morass of a social media flame war.
I’ve also seen an alarming number of Roasts that are literally nothing but social media talking points about vague concepts that basically mean nothing, ie: “Roast to all the liberal communists who want a free ride, THINK PEOPLE!!!” or some such crap. I don’t care what side of the political spectrum you’re on, your submission stands a much better chance of being printed if you actually make sense and have a valid point. I’ve been accused many times of trampling someone’s free speech because I didn’t print a Roast that was utter nonsense, invective and/or obviously written by some online troll who has never bought a physical copy of the Herald in their life and may not even live in southern Alberta.
Speaking of utter nonsense, and as much as I wish I didn’t have to point this out, I implore people to READ THEIR SUBMISSION before they hit send. Seriously, you wouldn’t believe the number of Roasts (and it’s always Roasts) I have to weed through that don’t even make sense. The egregious spelling and punctuation errors are bad enough; don’t make me try to figure out what you’re trying to say. Please remember that I can’t read your mind — be specific when you write.
I hope this gives you a better idea of what Roasts and Toasts are meant to be and how best to get yours printed in the Herald. And if I’ve ticked you off with this column, feel free to Roast me. Or, better yet, actually call me in the Herald newsroom at 403-328-4418 and we can discuss it person-to-person.
Wouldn’t that be a novel concept?
11-10
Toast to Mr. Scott Sakatch for enlightening us on how Roast and Toasts are to be submitted in the paper and what is the proper length. This TOAST should go with a well thought out ROAST dish for us all to enjoy as we read the ROAST and TOAST in the paper. My only ROAST to this post is while it’s great to have it twice a week for our enjoyment, cutting it down to half page is not. Would be a great TOAST to extend the ROAST and TOAST back to it’s full page. Again, a TOAST to you, Mr. Scott Sakatch