Letterman* Issues Top 13 Reasons to Attend Conference in Green Bay by Chris Wood 4

Published by the Institute of International Studies, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO Volume 38, No. 2 • March 2013 Letterman* issues top 13 reasons to attend conference in Green Bay By Chris Wood 4. For those interested in seeing a place that has nearly 300 miles of shoreline, 12 light- 13. There will be numerous opportunities to confer with colleagues houses and five state parks, a trip to Door from other states as well as abroad about the newspaper issues that County — “The Cape Cod of the Midwest” — you deal with every week. will be available, complete with an opportunity to taste the breakfast specialty that was You will have the opportunity to see the highly acclaimed “Mark 12. featured as the best in the country on “Good Twain Revisited,” which is as close as you can come to seeing and hear- Morning, America” as well as a traditional ing the man in person these days. fish boil. You’ll have the inside scoop from people in the know on what 11. A presentation by the advisor to as well really went down in Madison two years ago when collective bargaining 3. as one of the top students of the one and rights were stripped from many state employees without notice and only high school class in the country that Chris Wood which culminated in the Governor Walker recall election. has been publishing a bi-weekly community 10. There will be a session offering ideas, methodologies and specifics newspaper for many years, the Pulaski News. on embracing the Internet as a successful complement to the print The opportunity to have your newspaper evaluated and critiqued product by people who have done so and are doing so. 2. by professionals, namely your peers in attendance at this conference, 9. For those who remember “the little paper that could,” an opportu- at the much anticipated and highly regarded editorial critique sessions nity to see a presentation on “The Anomaly of The News-Chronicle” will that are a mainstay of the event; and finally, the No. 1 reason you’ll be in the offing on its home turf with a session from the man who was want to be sure to attend the Green Bay conference is: its first and last editor, as well as ISWNE’S own Dick McCord who The opportunity to attend a tailgate party and see a football stadi- authored the “Now or Never” series and The Chain Gang. 1. um that everybody around these parts seems to think is so special (and 8. You’ll learn what not to do in the session on “13 Ways to Kill Your maybe you will have even heard of it before, called Lambeau Field), as Community” by one of the guys who wrote the book on the subject (lit- well as learn much more about that fabled, football franchise known erally!), Mr. Kelly Clemmer. as the Green Bay Packers! 7. There will be an opportunity to cruise down The Fox River on the Foxy Lady, said by some to be the boat that inspired the Jimi Hendrix -30- song of the same name.** * In the interest of full disclosure and truth in advertising, the author 6. Those interested in a tour of the home facility of the largest com- of this piece lettered in track one year in high school and with addi- mon carrier in the US of A, namely Schneider National, will have the tional apologies to David Letterman because we couldn’t condense it chance to take one. into just the top 10! 5. You’ll have the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to “Our Lady of ** Several people have pointed out this is somewhere between “totally Good Hope Shrine,” which has been revered by the faithful around impossible” and “completely not a chance” because the song was writ- these parts for well over a hundred years and is now getting national ten many, many years before the ship was ever launched! attention since the Catholic Church issued a decree two years ago rec- ognizing the Marian apparitions that took place there in 1859. Chris Wood can be contacted at [email protected]. The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

By Cheryl Wormley The Woodstock Independent, Woodstock, Ill. Stand up and together; we’re community weeklies ISWNE members were outraged by Morley Others seemed to appreciate having some- From time to time, our readers, having heard Safer’s comment Jan. 6 on “60 Minutes” that one else applaud their efforts and recognize about “the troubles newspapers are having” newspapers are a “dying business.” Many their membership in our vibrant, healthy will ask how our papers are doing. The mes- used the Hotline to vent. It blazed. In six days and essential profession. sage we give will be the message they there were more than 40 postings. Our mem- I received similar emails from community believe, because we have earned their trust. bers also offered suggestions for responding, newspaper editors who are not yet ISWNE including inviting Safer to the July conference members, suggesting some press associations Reminders: in Green Bay, Wis. must have sent it out. I responded, thanking The ISWNE board’s winter board meeting them for helping with the unified effort to set • The 59th annual ISWNE Conference is July coincidentally was Jan. 12 in La Jolla, Calif. the record straight and suggesting they join 10-14 in Green Bay, Wis. We will be housed The timing couldn’t have been better. I added ISWNE. I also encouraged editors in the at St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wis. Check “Responding to Safer” to the agenda. Midwest to attend our conference in Green the ISWNE website for information about the Bay in July. programs planned by our hosts in Wisconsin. Board members had read the Hotline post- You’ll find the registration form on the web- ings, so they came to consensus fairly quickly: All the responses weren’t favorable. Phil site, too. In addition to the educational pro- a rebuttal column should be written and sent Lucey, executive director of the New Mexico grams, the editorial critiques and the oppor- to Safer with an invitation to the July confer- Press Association, sent Chad an email tunity to go inside Lambeau Field and experience. The column also should be emailed to “wholeheartedly disagreeing with the col- ence northern Wisconsin and Green Bay, the ISWNE members for publication in their umn.” He wrote, “To create a divide amongst conference will provide priceless interaction papers and to state press associations to dis- weekly and daily newspapers goes against with fellow weekly newspaper folk. See you seminate to their weeklies and small dailies. the work that associations have done to bring there. Paul MacNeill was headed out the door to all newspapers together to fight the same good fight over the years.” • Paul MacNeill and the ISWNE board are catch his flight when he turned and said, seeking member input regarding our annual “Cheryl, it needs to be written by the presi- I wasn’t suggesting a divide amongst weekly conferences. Paul’s goal is to bring recom- dent.” The board agreed. I looked at Paul, a and daily newspapers, but I think it is in the mendations for discussion at this summer’s Golden Quill winner, and at Gary Sosniecki, best interest of the industry to embrace the conference. He developed a short online sur- a two-time Golden Quill winner. “We have differences between the cousins, as I referred vey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/CBYKTNS, talented editorial writers on the board, and to metro dailies and community weeklies in or you can send your thoughts to him at the assignment is being given to the acciden- the column. The cousins serve vastly different [email protected]. tal journalist in the room,” I objected. I was audiences and have different ownership and overruled. So I enlisted Gary and the acade- business models. The community weekly • The Hotline is, well, hot. The last week of mician on the board, Dave Gordon, to copy cousin is in good health and is looking to the February, ISWNE members posted 33 times edit and proof what I wrote. future. on a question about courtroom decorum. Hotline discussions in January helped mem- “You’ll be surprised at how many papers will Lucey suggested dailies and weeklies take on bers utilize filters to control the flow of pick it up” were Paul’s last words as the door TV in general and put our combined circula- Hotline emails. closed behind him. tion numbers up against the falling listener- ship for programs like “60 Minutes.” His sug- • Give fellow editors, staff members, educa- Paul was right. When Chad Stebbins, ISWNE tors and/or newspaper enthusiasts the oppor- executive director, sent the column (“Reports gestion has merit. I’ll do my part should state press associations come together to develop a tunity to benefit from the Hotline, newslet- that we are dying are greatly exaggerated” ters, Grassroots Editor, website, annual confer- published in the February 2013 ISWNE news- campaign, and I’ll encourage ISWNE members to join me. ence and association with ISWNE members. letter) to ISWNE members he asked them to Purchase special “friend” memberships for let me know if they ran it. I received emails For now, we’ll continue our commitment to $25 each. It’s a steal of a deal. from dozens of members from Maine to our communities — reporting the news, writ- California, Kentucky to Oregon and Idaho to ing quality editorials and incorporating tech- Arkansas. Some told me the column would nology in our news delivery. Cheryl Wormley can be contacted at reinforce editorials written the previous week. [email protected].

2 March 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors Time to start thinking about summer in Green Bay With snow covering most of North educators, families and groupies in an • The highlight for most conference attend- America, it’s time to start thinking about a informal educational setting. ees is the hands-on approach to editorial green summer. And when you think of Some of the topics include: critiques. The group strives to improve each green, summer, and ISWNE, picture your- paper with small group break-out sessions. self in Green Bay, Wisconsin on a beautiful • Protests in Madison. After collective bar- Groups are led by seasoned newspaper edi- campus along the Fox River July 10-14. gaining rights were stripped away from tors to offer support, suggestions and praise teachers and state employees, thousands to the editorial pages of your newspaper. It ISWNE members from Australia, Canada, landed on the steps of the state capitol England, Ireland, and the United States isn’t always a major change that makes a leading to weeks of protests and a recall good editorial great. will gather for the annual summer confer- election for the governor and other state ence to encourage each other to write and politicians. Hear from the UW-Madison For those more interested in the social and design strong editorial pages, share news- chief of police, two senators, the associate travel part of the conference, we have plen- paper stories, learn about the local area, vice chancellor of UW-Milwaukee and a ty to offer. A preconference tour of Door and establish invaluable contacts with reporter who covered the event. County will be offered Tuesday, July 9. The other weekly newspaper editors, owners, trip includes a tour of Washington Island • Mike Mathes, a Wisconsin weekly news- on the Cherry Train. Thursday is a day paper publisher, will talk to the group dedicated to the history of the Green Bay about how he has found success using the Packers, a tour of the stadium and a tail- Internet along with his print edition. gate lunch. • ISWNE member Kelly Clemmer, co-author Conference registration is available online of the book 13 Ways to Kill Your Community, at http://wnanews.com/index. will share his collective wisdom on how asp?menuid=690 with a registration dead- small towns often create the same negative line of Monday, May 20. Additional infor- Officers of the International Society situations over and over. Find out how to of Weekly Newspaper Editors: mation about the conference is available avoid these same pitfalls and find out how on the ISNWE website at www.iswne.org. President: Cheryl Wormley not to kill your own community, but make The Woodstock Independent it much better. Hope to see you soon! Woodstock, Ill.

Vice President: Kelly Clemmer Star News Inc. Wainwright, Albert

Executive Director: Nothing ‘cheesy’ about ISWNE auction Dr. Chad Stebbins, Director, Institute of International Studies, Missouri Southern Green Bay, Wisconsin is the site of the 2013 International Society of Weekly State University, 3950 E. Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801-1595 Newspaper Editors’ annual conference. The schedule promises to be full of inter- Phone: (417) 625-9736 esting programs, including a tour of Lambeau Field, a discussion on successfully Fax: (417) 659-4445 using the Internet, good conversation and the opportunity to support the ISWNE E-mail: [email protected] Foundation. Board of Directors: A conference tradition since 2004, the annual Silent Auction is a fun and easy way Steve Bonspiel to put money in the foundation coffers. All conference attendees are asked to The Eastern Door bring an item for the auction and take at least one home. Donated items, which Kahnawake, Quebec in the past have ranged from bottles of wine to handmade ISWNE totes, are dis- Dave Gordon played throughout the conference. A bid sheet is provided for each item. At the Professor Emeritus, close of bidding, the person with the highest bid gets the item! It doesn’t get much University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire easier than that to show your support for the society’s scholarship program. Paul MacNeill Over the years, the auctions have raised $22,000 for the foundation. This money The Eastern Graphic provided all or partial scholarships for conference newcomers from throughout Montague, Prince Edward Island the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The foundation Gary Sosniecki board is committed to spending, not bankrolling, the funds to encourage partici- TownNews.com, Moline, Ill. pation in the organization. Andy Schotz So, start thinking now about your Silent Auction donation for the 2013 confer- The Herald-Mail ence. Auction items are as varied as the people who bring them. A good rule of Hagerstown, Md. thumb is to bring something you’d like to have. Remember that many people will Barry Wilson fly to and from Green Bay, so easy transport might be a consideration. Asset Media Services Kiama, NSW, Australia Questions about the auction can be directed to Vickie Canfield Peters at [email protected]. Immediate Past President: Kris O’Leary The Star News Medford, Wis.

March 2013 3 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

59th ISWNE ANNUAL CONFERENCE July 10-14, Green Bay, WI ● St. Norbert College (De Pere, WI) Preconference: July 9, Door County, WI To register online: http://wnanews.com/index.asp?menuid=690 Registration Deadline: Monday, May 20, 2013 Questions? Contact Jan Haupt at [email protected], 608-592-4278

Fee of $500 for adults, $260 ages 4-17, $150 ages 3 and under. Includes housing, transportation and admission to all events. Add $50 for each additional night if staying at campus facility. Late registration fees of $150 per person will be applied after May 20. Name/email/cell phone of adult(s): ______Name(s) and age of youth(s): ______Complete mail address & home/office phone: ______First conference? Yes No Will participate in editorial critiques ? Yes No (If yes, complete editorial critique section below) Special needs/requests/dietary restrictions: ______BRIEF bio (name of newspaper(s), title, etc.) to be passed out to conference attendees (photo optional)______

ROOM PREFERENCE Conference: Adults _____ Number @ $500 each $ ______

(Optional) An effort will be made to Conference: Ages 4-17 _____ Number @ $260 each $ ______accommodate room preferences, Conference: Ages 3 and under _____ Number @ $150 each $ ______but cannot be guaranteed. Pre-conference: Adults _____ Number @ $170 each $ ______Townhouses (with AC): 3 rooms Pre-conference: Ages 4-17 _____ Number @ $100 each $ ______with 2 single beds each (sleeps up to 6). Share lodging with: Pre-conference: Ages 3 and under _____ Number @ $45 each $ ______Single Surcharge _____ Number @ $150 each $ ______Kress Inn (with AC): One queen Early arrival (per adult/night) _____ Number @ $50 each $ ______bed with pull-out couch. Limited rooms have 2 queen beds. Early arrival (17 and under) _____ Number @ $25 each $ ______Carriage House (with AC): 2 rooms TOTAL REGISTRATION: $ ______with 2 single beds each (sleeps up PAYMENT INFORMATION to 4). Share lodging with: ______CHECKS payable in US funds to : ISWNE 2013. Mail to: WNA, 1901 Fish Hatch- ery Rd., Madison, WI 53713 ___ MMM (No AC): Dorm rooms with 2 single beds per room CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS (VISA, MC or American Express). Call Wisconsin Newspaper Association (Bonnie Fechtner) at 608-283-7622 with credit card infor- ___ No preference mation.

FLIGHT INFORMATION optional, to possibly share rental cars with other conference participants Airport ______Airline/Flight No: ______Arrival Date: ______Arival Time: ______

(1-4:30, Friday, July 12, 2013) EDITORIAL CRITIQUE SESSIONS Please list editorial critique information for only those who will participate (do not list those who are not participating). If more than one person is listed below, please indicate if they want to be in the same or different groups. Same/diff Name Newspaper (indicate if none) email (please print) group ______

______Additional details will be provided via email at a later date. Group leaders and assignments will be provided no later than June 15, 2013.

4 March 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

Jamison, has chronicled the lives of residents and events for St. Don Corrigan to present paper in Switzerland Albert and the Sturgeon area for more than 50 years. From its Don Corrigan, editor of Times Newspapers in the St. Louis area beginnings as an eight-page community newsletter to today’s twice- and a professor at Webster University, had a paper accepted at the weekly, full-colour tabloid, the Gazette, under Sr. Group Publisher Media Trends Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, April 7-11. The Brian Bachynski, focuses on providing readers award-winning jour- theme of the conference is “Moving Targets: Children and the nalism in every issue. Media.” The Gazette’s advertising, creative and news teams have collected Corrigan’s paper is titled: “Inspirations: Engaging Youth In Media.” more than 200 industry honours in the past 20 years. The It compares three brave girls with a message from three different Canadian Community Newspapers Association has named The generations: Mary Beth Tinker, Cathy Kuhlmeier and Malala Gazette the best newspaper in the country in 2000, 2001, 2005, Yousufzai of Pakistan. Tinker and Kuhlmeier became embroiled in 2008 and 2012. St. Albert is located near Edmonton. First Amendment fights that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. Yousufzai was shot in the face in an attempted assassination by the Salkeld’s tentative start date in St. Albert is April 15. Taliban for speaking out on the right of girls to go to school in her country. Yellow Springs News cleans up at ONA For the third year in a row, the Yellow Springs News in Yellow Springs, Stu Salkeld to leave Rocky Mountain House Ohio, won the General Excellence award, the top honor in its size Stu Salkeld, currently editor of The Mountaineer in Rocky Mountain division, at the Ohio Newspaper Association’s annual conference in House, Alberta, has accepted an offer to become the next editor of February. The General Excellence Award is given to the paper that The St. Albert Gazette in St. Albert, Alberta. gets the most points in 14 categories; the News won awards in news coverage, in-depth reporting, feature writing, original columns, He leaves The Mountaineer, a 4,300 weekly circulation family-owned photos, editorial writing, headline writing, community service and broadsheet after 12 years, six as a reporter, six as editor. He was special edition. In most categories, the News competed against the hired by the late Brian Mazza in 2001 and was named editor by other 16 papers in its size division, papers with circulation from 882 Brian’s siblings Glen Mazza and Gail Krabben after Brian’s death in to 3,200. 2007. The Mountaineer swept the AWNA better newspapers competition in 2010 and 2011 and last year was named top newspaper in Editor Diane Chiddister won first and fifth places (two submissions its category by Newspapers Canada. were allowed) in editorial writing, a category in which the paper competed for five places against all 59 papers in the contest. Founded in 1961, in the centennial year of Alberta’s oldest perma- nent settlement, The St. Albert Gazette, part of Great West This is the fifth General Excellence award for the News in the past Newspapers under the leadership of President and CEO Duff seven years. Before that, the paper last won the award in 1985.

ISWNE Foundation Contributors since Dec. 1, 2012 Stringer ($10 to $99) Copy editor ($200 to $299) Don Corrigan Sandy and Robert Horowitz Albert Scardino Jane Steinmetz Phoebe Baker Sue and David Gordon Editorial page editor ($300 to $399) Ross Connelly Ellen Albanese Gary and Helen Sosniecki Mo Mehlsak Sandra George Johnny O’Hanlon Carter and Sarah Newton Managing editor ($400 to $499) Donald and Deborah Brod Clyde Wills Cub reporter ($100 to $199) Editor in chief ($500 to $999) Bill and Jan Haupt Mary and Tim Waltner Marcia Martinek Robert E. Trapp Publisher ($1,000) Robert B. Trapp Vickie Canfield Peters Jeanne Pease Steve and Barbara Andrist Al Cross Guy and Marcia Wood Total raised: $3,060

March 2013 5 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors AndristAndrist namednamed executiveexecutive directordirector ofof NorthNorth DakotaDakota NewspaperNewspaper AssociationAssociation ISWNE member Steven J. Andrist, a third- Crosby and both inductees into the NDNA Bismarck Tribune generation North Dakota weekly newspaper Hall of Fame. Steve Andrist published The and later held publisher, has been named executive director Journal for 21 years until selling the newspa- reporting and edit- of the North Dakota Newspaper Association. per in 2012, completing 91 years of family ing positions at the NDNA President Kathleen Leinen, managing ownership of the newspaper. Steve Andrist Winona (Minn.) editor of the Daily News of Wahpeton and the also published the Tioga Tribune which he also Daily News and News-Monitor of Hankinson, described Andrist sold in 2012. Rochester (Minn.) as “a perfect fit for NDNA.” Andrist is a 1972 graduate of Divide County Post-Bulletin. He High School, Crosby, and a 1976 journalism took over owner- Andrist is the grandson of the late Calvin ship of the Crosby Andrist and son of State Senator John Andrist, graduate of the University of North Dakota. He began his career as a reporter at the newspaper in 1991 Steve Andrist both long-time publishers of The Journal at and served as NDNA President in 2001. He has also served on the National ISWNE new members Newspaper Association board of directors. While in Crosby, he was active in many com- Joey and Lindsey Young purchased The Clarion in munity organizations including the Divide Andale, Kansas, in June 2012. Andale is located 25 miles County Job Development Authority and northwest of Wichita and has a population of 928. Crosby Area Chamber of Commerce. He and Joey spent the last two years as a copy editor and design- his wife, Barbara, grants manager for the er at the Hutchinson News, a daily newspaper 50 miles North Dakota Center for Tobacco Prevention northwest of Wichita. He previously worked for Reeves and Control Agency, are the parents of three Media as a reporter for the Harvey County Independent in adult sons and have three grandchildren. Halstead, Kan., before taking over as editor at The “We were pleased to have several capable Clarion. applicants for the position,” said Leinen. After graduating from Buhler High School in 2003, he “Because of his close association with NDNA went to Hutchinson Community College and majored in over the years and his enviable record as a communications. publisher, Steve was the unanimous choice of the board.” “Lindsey is the reason I’m even in journalism,” Joey said. “We were both in forensics, and they needed someone to “Newspapers have both a special role and a write a little sports, and since she knew from our short special responsibility in maintaining vital and time together that was my real passion, she convinced vibrant communities and in encouraging an me to join the newspaper staff, and here I am.” engaged citizenry,” Andrist said. “Though newspapers may face challenges in today’s Lindsey is a 2007 graduate from Bethel College in North competitive world of high tech communica- Newton, Kan., and began her teaching career at Andale tions, it’s my view that with foresight, passion High School. She left there for her high school alma and dedication, newspapers will continue to mater, Haven High School, last year and teaches public contribute value to American society far into speaking, debate, forensics, yearbook and integrated the future,” he said. media. Andrist will take over the NDNA position on “Next year, we are starting a high school newspaper that the yearbook class will pro- June 1, replacing Roger Bailey, also a former duce, along with their yearbook duties,” Lindsey said. “Joey and I are pumped to be long-time North Dakota publisher who has taking over my hometown newspaper.” held the position for the past 13 years and is After taking over the paper, Joey and Lindsey came up with a full redesign of the retiring. paper, and perhaps were a little overzealous, as they were up doing production until NDNA’s members are the 90 daily and weekly 6:30 a.m. to put out their first issue. newspapers in the state. The association’s pri- Things have gotten much easier since then, and reaction to new ownership plus the mary mission is to provide advertising servic- redesign has subscription sales up and advertisers excited about the new direction of es and educational seminars for its members the paper. and assistance to the public in maintaining The couple is planning to attend the ISWNE conference in Green Bay — the first time North Dakota’s strong open government they will have ventured away from The Clarion since purchasing it. laws.

6 March 2013 Thecontinued International on Societypage 11of Weekly Newspaper Editors

Golden Quill Entrys Golden Quill2013 Entries 2013

Name Newspaper City State/Province Megan Bachman Yellow Springs News Yellow Springs Ohio Dave Berry Bolivar Herald-Free Press Bolivar Missouri Steve Bonspiel The Eastern Door Kahnawake Quebec Andrew Broman Independent Review Litchfield Minnesota George Brown Ponoka News Ponoka Alberta Mike Buffington Barrow Journal-The Jackson Herald Winder Georgia Diane Chiddister Yellow Springs News Yellow Springs Ohio Kelly Clemmer The Wainwright Star Wainwright Alberta Ross Connelly The Hardwick Gazette Hardwick Vermont Mike Dart Four Oaks-Benson News in Review Benson North Carolina Suzanne Dean Sanpete Messenger Manti Utah Margaret Downing Houston Press Houston Texas M. Dickey Drysdale The Harold of Randolph Randolph Vermont Diane Everson Edgerton Reporter Edgerton Wisconsin Elliott Freireich West Valley View Avondale Arizona David Giffey fightingbob.com Arena Wisconsin Jessica Giard Chamberlain/Oacoma Sun Chamberlain South Dakota Melissa Hale-Spencer The Altamont Enterprise Altamont New York John Hales Sanpete Messenger Manti Utah Roger Harnack The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle Omak Washington Cary Hines West Valley View Avondale Arizona Whitney Leggett Citizen Voice & Times Irvine Kentucky Dean Lesar Tribune Record Gleaner Abbotsford Wisconsin Paul MacNeill Eastern Graphic Montague Prince Edward Island Bradley Martin Hickman County Times Centerville Tennessee Marcia Martinek Herald Democrat Leadville Colorado Sara Mattinson The Oxford Journal Oxford Nova Scotia Christina Myers The Record Burnaby British Columbia Kevin O'Brian Tribune Phonograph Abbotsford Wisconsin Vernon Oickle Lunenburg County Progress Bulletin Bridgewater Nova Scotia Joan Plaxton Valleyview Valley Views Valleyview Alberta Susan Quinn Alberni Valley News Port Alberni British Columbia Steve Ranson Lahontan Valley News Falton Nevada Derek Sawvell Wilton-Durant Advocate News Wilton Iowa Bill Schanen III Ozaukee Press Port Washington Wisconsin Brenda Schimke Coronation East Central Alberta Review Coronation Alberta Ben Schultz Tribune Phonograph Abbotsford Wisconsin Chalpat Sonti Seymour Telegraph Seymour,Victoria Australia Casey Tolliver The Mountain Advocate Barbourville Kentucky Bill Tubbs Eldridge North Scott Press Eldridge Iowa Bruce Valpy Yellowknifer Yellowknife Northwest Territories Jeremy Waltner Freeman Courier Freeman South Dakota Tim Waltner Freeman Courier Freeman South Dakota Terri Washburn The Kenyon Leader Kenyon Minnesota Dan Wehmer Webster County Citizen Seymour Missouri Peter Weinschenk Record Review Abbotsford Wisconsin Carol Wilcox Clear Creek Courant Idaho Springs Colorado Brian Wilson The Star News Medford Wisconsin John M. Wylie II Oologah Lake Leader Oologah Oklahoma

March 2013 7 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors Reporters, copyeditors must use words properly By Douglas Perret Starr only, “she and I.” Without grammatical expla- level street or high- Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Journalism nation, that formation becomes the child’s way. But the correct Texas A&M University phrase for the objective as well as the subjec- word for that speed- tive case. ing vehicle is career, Newspaper English is changing. Words are There is confusion even in time. Forty years meaning “at top used incorrectly, making information difficult ago, 12 P.M. was midnight, and 12 M. was speed” and “in a to understand, and sometimes just plain silly. noon; 12 A.M. did not exist. Today, 12 M. is headlong manner.” And young reporters, who should know better gone, 12 P.M. is noon, and 12 A.M. is mid- So, managing edi- but don’t because they grew up during the night. Think about it: The day ends at mid- tors should make language change, are equally guilty of the night, 12 hours past noon, so how can mid- certain that their misuse. Most people can use words any way night be 12 A.M.? And, if there is a before the reporters and copy- Douglas Perret Starr the like, but reporters are required to use meridian) and an after the meridian), there editors know and words properly, by definition. has to be a meridian, so how can 12o’clock understand the definition and usage of Two words — fail and only — are so ill-used noon be 12 hours after the meridian? All of words. Quotations that use words incorrectly that their sentences are incorrect. that confusion is why public events are sched- should be paraphrased so the words can be uled for noon or midnight, or, if the hour is used correctly and in the proper place in the The main misuse of fail is in group action. You essential, 12:05 P.M. sentence. read that Congress failed to do something about the sequester. No, Congress, like any Careen was a nautical term for tilting a group, albeit much larger, cannot fail. beached ship on its side to bare half of the Douglas Perret Starr may be contacted at Whatever Congress does, it does by majority bottom, so barnacles could be scraped off. [email protected]. vote; it approves a proposal, or it refuses to Today, it describes vehicles racing along a approve a proposal. Failure is impossible. So, Congress did not fail; it refused to do something about the sequester. Put the blame ISWNE new member where it belongs. Peggy Watt is an associate professor of journalism at Only is used improperly more often than it is Western Washington University. She is a native used properly. To make sense, only goes after Washingtonian and graduate of Western with degrees in the verb. For example, “I only hire college journalism and political science, and worked as a report- graduates” means that someone else fires er at several newspapers in the Pacific Northwest (Port them. For clarity, make it, “I hire only college Orchard Independent and Robinson Newspapers in King graduates.” County) before moving to California, where she covered In statistical matter, only has no place. If 98 Silicon Valley for about 20 years. She remains a contrib- percent did and 2 percent did not, there’s no uting editor to PCWorld magazine (including PCWorld. only; those are statistical results. And, worse, com and TechHive.com), where she previously was only is the reporter’s opinion, and it’s way out online news editor. of place in a sentence that says a school bus During her time in Silicon Valley, she covered Apple’s introduction of the Macintosh, wrecked and “only one child was killed.” Microsoft’s introduction (and eventual release and re-release) of Windows, numerous Earlier/later are redundant in most sentences: now-deceased hardware and software companies and dot-com firms. (A few computer In a past-tense sentence, “earlier this month” magazines have come and gone during that time, too). For nearly 20 years she was and “later this month,” regardless of the date, among the half-million attendees of COMDEX, the now-deceased computer trade means the same as “this month.” Past action show, which drew throngs to Las Vegas every November and left them exhausted every can not happen later than yesterday; and Thanksgiving. future action cannot happen earlier than Watt completed a master’s degree at Stanford University with a thesis on traditional tomorrow. journalism’s role in new media, which is now very out of date. She is a longtime mem- Still, as in “police are still investigating,” is ber of the Society of Professional Journalists and National Federation of Press Women, redundant, and it can imply incompetence on as well as the Online News Association and the Association for Education in the part of the police. If the police are “still Journalism and Mass Communication. investigating” a crime; they are “investigat- Her husband, Mark O’Deady, also holds degrees in journalism and political science ing.” Still adds nothing but the reporter’s opin- (from San Jose State University) but worked on the business side, selling advertising for ion. the San Jose Mercury News and a regional chain of weeklies in Silicon Valley before The blame for the improper use of first person becoming marketing slime for high-tech companies. Their daughter Moira entered the pronouns after a preposition, as in “between one profession less lucrative than journalism and education; she is a youth minister in she and I” and “give it to John and I,” rests the Bay Area. She and Gabriel, a computer game developer, have made Peggy and upon both the parent and the child. During Mark grandparents twice: Spencer Glenn, nearly 3 and Avery Jude, who arrived just formative years, the child says, “me and her,” before Christmas 2012. so the parent corrects the child by saying

8 March 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors AnAn invitationinvitation forfor MorleyMorley SaferSafer toto comecome toto NorthNorth ScottScott We’llWe’ll showshow youyou thatthat newspapersnewspapers areare notnot dying!dying! By Bill Tubbs that dailies with circulations above 50,000 umns was close to Publisher make up less than 5 percent of all newspapers 340. The North Scott Press in the U.S. Weeklies dominate the industry, he Thank you! Eldridge, Iowa said, with about 85 percent of all newspapers Jan. 16, 2013 being in the “non-daily” category and You, our readers, accounting for 75 percent of total print circu- prove Safer wrong lation of U.S. newspapers. every time you On Jan. 6, CBS’ Morley Safer declared to the renew your sub- world on “60 Minutes” that “Newspapers are The ISWNE crowd wants equal time on “60 scription, buy a dying.” The entire segment was about the Minutes,” but I doubt we’ll get it — even copy at the store, Katrina-ravaged New Orleans Times-Picayune’s though community papers would be the first post a clipping on decision to publish three times a week instead to bend over backwards to let others express the refrigerator, Bill Tubbs of every day. From that, the respected news- opposing views on the pages of our newspa- place a display or man drew the sweeping conclusion that our pers. classified ad, buy something from one of our days are numbered. If “newspapers are dying,” as Safer asserts, advertisers, or visit with your friends and Safer’s words were met with immediate scorn why did circulation and advertising revenues neighbors about something you read in the by editors and publishers of community news- go UP last year at The NSP and why did more paper. THAT is the story that needs to be told. papers like ours coast to coast via the Inter- people than in the previous year submit let- It is the story of small communities across national Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors’ ters to the editor? (The increases were small, America. It may not be the headlines “60 email network. but they were not decreases, and for that we Minutes” is looking for, but it is how we live “Only one person in the ‘60 Minutes’ story — celebrate! We are NOT dying!) out here in “fly-over” country. and it was definitely not Safer — distinguished Our annual salute to letter writers recognizes I write not because we in rural America need between metro dailies and other publica- 225 of you who believed The NSP was a good the validation. Our lives will go on just fine, tions,” wrote Patric Hedlund of Frazer Park, way to engage in conversations in the greater thank you. But it DOES matter if the media Calif. rural Scott County community. Some letters buyers like the one for the pizza franchise “I am tired of fighting professors who say are political or controversial — the big issues from Kansas that colonized our community print is dead because the New Orleans paper this year were three zoning disputes, a school and never once acknowledged the existence scales back,” said Don Corrigan of St. Louis. election, and primary and general elections of a local paper think newspapers are dying. — but most are not. They didn’t even use us to place ads for “The Bigs, in my experience, are most often employment! unaware weeklies exist, and when they do see Some letters give others a pat on the back for them, view them as the quaint, chicken pie a job well done, pay tribute to a life well lived, As people who believe that our community is dinner sheets that don’t provide serious jour- or comment on current events. Significantly, more complete when the businesses that are nalism,” commented Ross Connelly of every letter included the street address of the located here work together for the common Hardwick, Vt. author, which is the highest accountability. good, how will the decision-makers from The number of actual letters and guest col- Kansas and elsewhere ever take us seriously if Bill Reader of Ohio University pointed out they are told by “60 Minutes” that we are dying? Morley Safer, you’ve done us wrong, but ISWNE new member here’s an offer you can’t refuse. Come to Eldridge and spend a week with our staff. Paul Fletcher has been publisher and editor-in-chief of Come with us to a meeting of the school Virginia Lawyers Weekly, based in Richmond, since 1989. board or city council or a ball game. Talk to A 1979 graduate of the College of William & Mary, he our advertisers and the people around town earned a master’s degree in English from Emory in the neighborhoods and the churches and University the following year and a law degree from the the civic groups and the farms. Ask them if Washington & Lee University law school in 1985. He The NSP isn’t a pretty good way to get the practiced law in southwest Virginia for three years before word out to a mass audience in our communi- joining the newspaper. ty. And then tell me, if you can, that newspa- He is a Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation and the pers are dying. president of the Society of Professional Journalists, The choice is yours. We’ll treat you well. Virginia professional chapter. Since August 2012, he has been serving as interim publisher of Michigan Lawyers Bill Tubbs can be contacted at Weekly, with offices in suburban Detroit. [email protected].

March 2013 9 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors LegislativeLegislative epitaphepitaph ofof newspapersnewspapers isis deaddead wrongwrong By Steve Andrist an indoor RV park in Crosby or postal prob- transfers in the list Journal lems in Tioga. of bills they publish Crosby, North Dakota Second on the list is the fact that over the last in their official Feb. 20, 2013 decade, advertising revenue at large daily newspapers as part newspapers has spiraled downward. of their minutes. If you hang around the right nooks and cran- As it has, reporting staffs and news holes have They already must nies of the state capitol this legislative session, shrunk, and readers have had to go elsewhere publish a list of you could easily conclude that someone for some of their news. checks, so people declared open season on newspapers. know how they’re As a result, the metropolitan dailies have tried “No one reads newspapers any more,” said spending money, to adapt to changing times, enhancing their but there’s a loop- Sen. Judy Lee, R-Fargo, at a recent meeting of online and mobile presence. the Senate Political Subdivisions Committee. hole when pay- Steve Andrist Some are even experimenting with reducing ment is made by Rep. Mark Owens of Grand Forks made simi- the frequency of their print editions. The New electronic transfer. lar comments in regard to a bill being heard Orleans Times-Picayune, for example, is putting Pretty much everyone agreed the electronic by the House Finance and Taxation ink on paper three days a week instead of Committee. records should be public, but some suggested seven. That move prompted Morley Safer to that publishing them on government websites Trouble is, both of them are wrong. Especially opine on “60 Minutes” that “The facts of life should be an alternative to publishing in the in North Dakota. are that newspapers are folding all over the official newspaper. country.” They are buying in to the oft-repeated conten- The same argument was made for publishing tion that newspapers are dying. TV, it seems, has declared an open season on a notice of a hearing that would be required if They are not. newspapers too, because the real facts of life a local government wanted to double its prop- are that 97 percent of U.S. newspapers are erty tax levy. Changing, yes. classified as “community” newspapers, with Dying? Not by a long shot. circulations below 50,000. Those 97 percent If someone proposed doubling your taxes and North Dakota is a state of some 700,000 peo- have more circulation than the country’s scheduled a public hearing on the idea, ple. large daily newspapers, according to would you likely find out about it by browsing Wikipedia, with a combined readership of a local government website or paging Newspapers published in North Dakota have through your local newspaper? an estimated combined readership of about more than 220 million. 500,000. That’s over 70 percent of the state’s In North Dakota’s legislature, and other The obvious choice provides more evidence population. states, too, the “newspapers are dead” fallacy that newspapers are not dead — except in the most often is repeated as fact when there is a minds of a few legislators and TV commenta- It’s true that some of those 500,000 readers tors. live out of state. question about public notices. For example, this session a house committee It’s also true that some of the 700,000 people Steve Andrist can be contacted at have not yet learned how to read. debated a bill that would require cities, coun- ties and school districts to include electronic [email protected]. The point is, there are a lot of people still reading newspapers in North Dakota. So why is it so many people think newspapers should be given their last rights? ISWNE new member Clearly, mobile technology is at the top of the list. Between computers and iPads and smart Taylor M. Smith, III, has been the editor and publisher phones and more, there is a lot of competition of the Republic-Monitor, of Perryville, Mo., since October for the time people spend gathering informa- 2011. tion. Smith, 52, became publisher in Perryville after publish- Young people, particularly, are said to get ing The (Walterboro, S.C.) Press and Standard from 1992- their information from Google or Yahoo or 2010. Gawker of the Daily Beast. Prior to publishing The Press and Standard, Smith pub- Sure, you can go to huffingtonpost.com (the lished The Sparta (Tenn.) Expositor, 1989-92, and The country’s most popular blog) to find out Clinton (S.C.) Chronicle, 1987-89. about John McCain’s plan for immigration He has a business management degree from the reform, and you can check tmz.com (number University of Alabama’s School of Commerce and Business Administration. two in popularity) to learn why Kris Smith also served for a number of years as a member of the South Carolina Press Humphries is hell-bent on humiliating Kim Association Board of Directors (including as president in 2009-2010) and is currently a Kardashian. member of the Missouri Press Association board of directors. But none of them will tell you about plans for

10 March 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors OurOur fascinationfascination withwith howhow wordswords areare used:used: SomeSome examplesexamples fromfrom acrossacross thethe pondpond By Dave Mitchell One of the book’s more colorful characters, “Well they were SparselySageAndTimely.com Wenlock Jakes, provides a facetious example pretty surprised at Jan. 14, 2013 of what can happen. The character is based his office, getting a on Chicago Daily News correspondent John story like that from In his 1938 novel Scoop, the British writer Gunther (1901-70). As another character the wrong country, Evelyn Waugh portrays a young journalist comments, “When [Jakes] turns up in a place, but they trusted sent by a London newspaper, The Daily Beast, you can bet your life that as long as he’s there Jakes and splashed to cover a civil war that’s brewing in the fic- it’ll be the news center of the world. it in six national tional African country of Ishmaelia. (Tina “Why, once Jakes went out to cover a revolu- newspapers. That Brown, by the way, took the name for her tion in one of the Balkan capitals. He over- day every special news-aggregator website The Daily Beast from slept in his carriage, woke up at the wrong [correspondent] in the novel.) [train] station, didn’t know any different, got Europe got orders Dave Mitchell to rush to the new Scoop, which is based on Waugh’s own experi- out, went straight to a hotel, and cabled off a thousand-word story about barricades in the revolution. They ence writing for London’s Daily Mail, satirizes arrived in shoals. Everything seemed quiet the foreign correspondents who rush to wher- streets, flaming churches, machine guns answering the rattle of his typewriter as he enough, but it was as much as their jobs were ever big news is supposed to be happening. worth to say so, with Jakes filing a thousand Even if they find nothing much going on, they wrote, a dead child, like a broken doll, spread- eagled in the deserted roadway below his words of blood and thunder a day. So they still must satisfy their editors by filing stories, chimed in too. so they create news, Waugh suggests. window. “Government stocks dropped, financial panic, state of emergency declared, army mobilized, famine, mutiny — and in less than a week 2013 Sustaining Members there was an honest to God revolution under way just as Jakes had said. There’s the power In addition to paying their $60 ISWNE membership dues, these indi- of the press for you.” viduals have donated $40 more to the Society. We appreciate their Now here’s chance to test your Scottish brogue generosity! with a bit of Gaelic humor: A wee Glesga wumman goes intae a butcher shop, where Don Brod Kris O’Leary the butcher has just came oot the freezer, and is standing haunds ahint his back, with his Donald Q. Smith Brad Martin erse aimed at an electric fire. The wee wum- Cheryl Wormley Gary and Helen Sosniecki man checks oot the display case then asks, “Is Garrett Ray Matt Jenkins that yer Ayrshire bacon?” “Naw,” replies the Carol Wilcox Mary Jo and Dick Lee butcher. “It’s jist ma haun’s ah’m heatin’.” Tom Wills Phoebe Baker More tidings from Scotland, as reported in the John Galer David Gordon London Times Literary Supplement. Last year Frank Garred Clyde Wills the Scots writer Alasdair Gray “refused the Saltire Scottish Book of the Year award for his Tom Locke Steve Thurston book A Life of Pictures. Not to be outdone, the Andy Schotz Bob Watson judges refused Mr. Gray’s refusal and sent John Marshall Will Nicholls him a cheque for £5,000. Ross Connelly Steve Ranson “Mrs. Gray, refusing to believe what her hus- Stephen Zender Sandra George band had done, refused to accept his refusal Don Corrigan Jeremy Condliffe of the judges’ refusal of his refusal, and cashed the check.” Bill Tubbs Cecile Krimm Derek Sawvell Frank McTighe I’ll close by noting that the late British science- fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke and I were Carol O’Leary Chris Wood alike in at least a couple of ways. As he once Robert E. Trapp David Burke acknowledged: “I don’t believe in astrology; Robert B. Trapp Missy Layfield I’m a Sagittarius and we’re skeptical.” Paul MacNeill Allan J. Bassler Laurie Ezzell Brown Dave Mitchell can be contacted at [email protected].

March 2013 11 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors Do your part to prevent unnecessary deaths in 2013 By Ben Kleppinger Because if something like the Sandy Hook darkened Editor shooting can happen, then how strong is this December 2012. In The Interior Journal safe and happy life we’ve constructed for our- the case of Sandy Stanford, Kentucky selves, anyway? Hook, far too many Jan. 10, 2013 Affecting us here in Lincoln County, a 16-year- people are already old boy was buried on Christmas Eve and a pretending to have This has not been the happiest of holiday sea- former Marine who attended church in solutions. sons in our nation or here in Lincoln County. Hustonville lost his life on Dec. 26. These I don’t know how to As always, goodwill swells this time of year unnecessary deaths remind us that even stop the next acci- and there are many stories of people helping when we think we’ve got it all worked out, dental gun death or other people in need. even if our fabric of life appears strong, things highway crash. I can still go horribly wrong. don’t know if Ben Kleppinger Here in Lincoln, a multitude of people, It would be nice if we could make a new there’s any way to through organizations both public and pri- assist all those in need of serious mental help vate, put their efforts into making this year’s resolution to never have a mass shooting again, or to have everyone be perfectly before one of them does something we’ll all December a better one for their impoverished regret. But I do know we can all do a little bet- neighbors. careful with their cars and guns. But such resolutions would inevitably end up just like all ter when it comes to strengthening the fabric But there was far too much unnecessary resolutions that call for instant and perfect that holds us together. death darkening the end of the year, too. change — broken and abandoned long before We can all give some time and effort to taking In Connecticut, 28 died when a mentally the year is over. care of those on the margins. unwell man began killing children and staff In just the last week, Lincoln has already seen We can all give up on our favorite political at an elementary school. another pair of unnecessary deaths — one teams and realize “the other side” is just other Though legions more die every year in indi- from a gunshot wound and one from a vehi- people like us who also want a good world. vidual killings, tragedies like what happened cle wreck. We can all stop fabricating apocalyptic battles at Sandy Hook fray the fabric of our society, No one should pretend to have solutions that over our tiniest disagreements and start build- make us worry that it will all come undone. would have prevented any of the deaths that ing from areas of agreement. Maybe if we strengthen our fabric by fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and love for everyone, there won’t be as many people who feel the need to express themselves through violence. Maybe if we can develop a new respect and reverence for life, more people will be extra- vigilant before something goes wrong. There is no formula or recipe for causing such a cultural shift, but I think such a cultural shift is possible. Whether it catches on or not, the only way such a change begins is with individuals doing their own small parts. Change will never begin with politicized debates about policies and laws, where everyone begins with preconceived conclusions and refuses to consider any alternatives. Change will never begin with gossiping about the lat- est scandal or voyeur-izing the most recent tragedy. Real change happens when you alter your own behaviors and begin treating everyone with a little more love and respect, because Freeman (South Dakota) Courier Publisher Tim L. Waltner sits baseline in front of the Freeman High you want the future to be an improvement School student section as the FHS girls played for a district championship. The second-seed Flyers lost the over the now. game to top-seed Parker 42-39 despite controlling the court for most of the 32 minutes, and despite the vocal That’s the kind of new year’s resolution I and exuberant crowd pictured behind Waltner, who chose to dress in camouflage in response to Parker’s could actually get behind. mascot, the Pheasants. Waltner, who has published the Courier since 1984 and typically joins son and news editor Jeremy Waltner on postseason assignments, was uninjured in the Feb. 22 game. Ben Kleppinger can be contacted at [email protected].

12 March 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors EducateEducate youryour readersreaders regularlyregularly aboutabout youryour policiespolicies By Jim Pumarlo policies should be a priority. What are the courts coverage, by guidelines for letters to the editor — why are its nature, draws a A reader questions your policy for reporting some rejected? Why, or why not, does a news- chorus of detrac- suicides. A local retailer challenges your staff paper report the salaries of public officials? tors; the hows and to produce timely and relevant business news. Reader comments and questions provide a whys of your A reporter is confronted for printing a press neverending stream of issues to address. reporting process release charging a candidate with unfair A newspaper’s role as a government watch- are ready-made campaign practices without contacting the dog provides ample opportunities for initiat- content for connect- accused for a response. ing conversation with readers as well. Why ing with readers. All of these scenarios are excellent topics for should readers care about changes in a state’s Three points are newsroom discussion. And most editors will open meeting law? Why does a newspaper important in the likely respond directly to the individuals who demand the names of the superintendent explanation of all Jim Pumarlo raise the questions. finalists? How does a proposed privacy law newspaper policies threaten the disclosure of information vital to and operations: But how many newsrooms take the time to citizens’ everyday lives? explain their policies and operations to their •Have the same person — preferably the edi- readers on a regular basis? A column by the Columns from publishers and editors should tor — communicate policies. It’s OK to editor or publisher should be a fixture on the be standard procedure in previewing or acknowledge differences of opinion among editorial page if you want to connect with explaining coverage. Newspapers devote a staff, but one person should be the liaison to your readers. Even more effective are timely great deal of time and talent to reporting on readers. And be certain to share policies with communications through a blog. local governing bodies; a column might edu- all newspaper employees. Remember the peo- cate readers why your staff cannot be every- ple on the front line — no one is more impor- Columns on an array of topics serve a variety where and an advance can be more important than the receptionist — who will likely be of purposes. Educating readers on newspaper tant than coverage of a meeting. Crime and the first to field a question or complaint. Receptionists should know that policies are in place and direct inquiries to the appropriate person. A note from Garrett Ray • Be open to feedback and criticism. Policies, to be effective, must have a foundation of Feb. 24, 2013 principles. They also should be subject to review depending on specific circumstances. Dear Friends and Family, •Don’t be afraid to accept mistakes or errors First things first: You have no idea how important your in judgment. Saying “we erred” will go a long expressions of concern to Nina, me and our kids has way toward earning respect and trust from been during our surgical adventure. I did not really readers. appreciate the value of “simple gifts” – your calls, Newspapers should tailor policies to suit their cards, emails and greetings – till we felt it. Never think operations and then communicate them with that you aren’t doing something important when you readers. Talking with people — individuals take a minute to send a note or call to leave a message. inside and outside the newspaper — is an This is what I expect to be the last report that we’ll important aspect of developing policies. send on the DBS surgery – apparently very successful. (We have already shared some Connecting with as many people as possible of this info with many of you. Sorry for the duplications.) The neurologist will do more guarantees thorough examination of the vari- “tweaking” of the two transmitters in my chest next week, but this is what we have ous perspectives on policies. The more opin- experienced since the surgery on Feb. 22: ions that are received, the stronger the policies will be. Friends here say, “I can’t believe how much better you look!” Nina, who has kept a close eye on me for more than 50 years, says “It’s a miracle.” I am especially grateful Editors and publishers still must make the for the [ital]small [endital]miracles: My tremor is gone, my handwriting is again read- final decision. But readers will appreciate that able, I can button my own shirts, and I am standing straighter and walking better, policies are not made on a whim. with more expression in my face and voice. I think that my voice is stronger, and my typing is more accurate. Nina says, “You are like you used to be – your old self – and Jim Pumarlo writes, speaks and provides training just as compulsive as ever.” on community newsroom success strategies. His If you have friends with Parkinson’s Disease or Essential Tremor, please encourage newest book is “Journalism Primer: A Guide to them to ask a neurologist about the DBS procedure. This doesn’t “cure” Parkinson’s, Community News Coverage.” He also is author of but it is a gift of perhaps years of better life. It isn’t the answer for everyone, but I am “Votes and Quotes: A Guide to Outstanding so glad that my neurologist encouraged me to do it. Election Coverage” and “Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive With thanks from all the Rays, Issues in Small-Town Newspapers.” He can be Garrett reached at www.pumarlo.com and welcomes comments and questions at [email protected].

March 2013 13 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors WeatherWeather ChannelChannel findsfinds andand usesuses snowsnow videovideo By Bill Blauvelt tractor cleaning out the driveway; I used both Apparently, the Publisher cameras from a position on the back step. I video was the sec- The Superior Express posted both videos on YouTube so family ond time we were Superior, Nebraska members living away from here can see what in the spotlight March 14, 2013 it was like in Superior. I don’t expect either within a week. video to be of interest to people outside my After a reader alert- This thing about Daylight Savings Time add- family and didn’t post to the newspaper’s ed us to the film ing an extra hour of sunlight is all bunk. We Internet pages (though a search of YouTube crews here filming supposedly added an extra hour of daylight for videos taken by me will find them.) snow geese, we by turning our clocks back Saturday night but The first video hasn’t attracted the interest of posted a brief story what good did it do? Sunday was a dark and this newspaper’s followers but apparently the on the Internet that gloomy day with snow swirling everywhere. Weather Channel found it. Tuesday morning has been copied Bill Blauvelt It was however a delightful storm when a faithful reader of The Express stopped in the and distributed in viewed from the comfort of this editor’s home. office to place an advertisement and said, “I several places. Thanks to the help of those Since the storm came on Sunday, I didn’t see you sent a picture of the storm to the sharing the post, it was seen by about four have to go to work and worship services were Weather Channel.” times the number of people who regularly canceled because of the weather. I hadn’t but from his description it appears read our posts. Instead of getting out and battling the storm the Weather Channel found and used my Reminded me of the story I once wrote about like I would have done had it been a press or video. He said, “It had to be yours, it the Union Hotel auction. That story was redis- mailing day, I only ventured outside by appeared to have been taken from the front tributed by the Associated Press and read choice. porch or your house looking down the street around the world. toward the former Fourth Street Junction and Some people may think few people read a One of the things I chose to do was test a across the street to Superior City Auditorium.” weather resistant camera. The digital cameras weekly newspaper, but that isn’t always the He concluded by saying “Thanks for putting case. that replaced the mechanical film cameras I Superior in the national spotlight, if only for a used for years do not work well when exposed few seconds.” to moisture. Bill Blauvelt can be contacted at The snow video is available on our web site at [email protected]. I started taking pictures for publication as a Superiorne.com, on The Superior Express high school junior. I have enjoyed the chal- Facebook page and on YouTube. lenge of taking them in less than ideal condi- tions. I have used film cameras that could be dunked and continue working. I don’t miss the darkroom work those film cameras required but I do miss their water resistant qualities. During this week’s storm, I tested a new Pentax camera. It can’t be dunked like my Nikon could but a few snowflakes or rain drops are not supposed to affect it. Since I wanted to compare ease of use and picture quality with cameras that won’t stand up to either snow or rain, I sought shelter on my porch and pointed the cameras into the storm. My first attempt brought mixed results. I didn’t have a problem with the old camera I was comparing it to but I forgot to remove the lens cap from the new camera and the pictures were very dark — like non-existent. I posted the first video taken with the non- resistant camera on YouTube and on this newspaper’s web and Facebook pages and settled into my easy chair to study the manu- al which came with the new camera. In the afternoon, I shot two short videos of Rita driving our antique Massey Ferguson 65

14 March 2013 The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors AllAll PublicPublic OfficialsOfficials ShouldShould CelebrateCelebrate NationalNational SunshineSunshine WeekWeek By R. Braiden Trapp Board goes, he’s probably right. They’re people like Managing editor One of two things occurred before that meet- an administrator at Rio Grande Sun ing. Either the Board met illegally in a closed, one of our new Espanola, New Mexico unannounced session to decide on the leader- charter schools, March 14, 2013 ship, or more likely, a majority met in what’s stating incorrectly called a rolling quorum. It means Board that personnel files Those who believe in open meetings and members called each other, emailed or physi- aren’t subject to access to public records celebrate National cally met one-on-one to make the decision − public scrutiny. Sunshine Week March 10-17. Your local news- one that should have been discussed and McCurdy Charter paper celebrates sunshine in all aspects of all made publicly. School is suffering some growing levels of government every day. This week is They’re people like our state legislators who set aside annually to celebrate our successes pains, manifested R.Braiden Trapp voted 48-16 in the House Sunday night (good in some disgruntled and try to bring along those who are found timing) to not allow public access to their lacking in openness. teachers or teach- state emails during the session. While it ers leaving for good cause or teachers being They’re people like Rio Arriba County com- makes for titillating gossip, we don’t really fired. We’re not sure which or if all of those missioners who openly discussed and admit- care about who’s sleeping with whom or situations exist because Director Janette ted that they had decided the week before the what’s in store for their weekends or the next Archuleta thinks she doesn’t have to allow Commission meeting that Alfredo Montoya lobbyist-sponsored dinner. We do care about access to teachers’ personnel files. Once we would become chairman and Barney Trujillo several legislators discussing how they’ll vote get McCurdy Charter School out of private would step down. Reporter Jeff Tucker has on a law before it’s even in front of them. school mode and into public school mode extensive quotes from all of them about their Speaker Ken Martinez and Minority Leader where it belongs, we’ll have answers to illegal conversations to change the Don Bratton are of the opinion the New whether there are teacher problems. Commission makeup. Additionally, fired Mexico state constitution affords them a spe- And they’re people like Rio Arriba County County Planning and Zoning director Patricio cial exemption from open records law. No Garcia said commissioners had made the Manager Tomas Campos, who believes that if such exception exists in the Inspection of a private investigator digs into employee decision in advance of their meeting and one Public Records Act. had informed him of the reorganization. issues and gives the County a report, it’s not Yet both Rep. Debbie Rodella and Rep. Nick public. Campos can try to argue personnel They’re people like our two new school board Salazar voted to keep their emails private. matters or matters of opinion not being pub- members who read from a script during the If you have an iota of natural curiosity, you lic, but that won’t solve his privacy problem. organizational school board meeting March Eventually he’s going to have to turn the 7. How did anyone know to nominate Ralph have to wonder why they want their official emails protected. When you try to make records over, perhaps in redacted form. The Medina president and Annabelle Ortiz vice County may have some personnel problems, president of the Board with no discussion? something secret with no solid explanation, it encourages your constituents to let their too, but we won’t know until we look at those Surely they didn’t just spontaneously agree on private investigator reports. the choices. imaginations fill in the blanks. And we will, eventually. To rub salt in the public’s wound, Medina This is a bad idea. actually said he didn’t believe such pre-plan- We hope the 16 elected officials who voted We place great power in the hands of our ning to be abnormal. As far as the school against it will work to bring their brothers state elected officials. Many take that trust and sisters back from the dark side. and use it to their personal advantage by blocking access to public documents. In a time when all should be striving for more openness, it feels as if they go looking for the Words of thanks darkness. “I appreciate ISWNE for connecting me with community This goes back to the founding fathers’ thoughts on participation in government. If newspapers and editors across the country. I have we don’t demand more openness, it will be learned more in one year with ISWNE than 15+ years taken from us. We can tell you from experi- with SPJ.” ence that once something is closed to the pub- — Becky Dickerson, editor and publisher, lic, it’s exponentially more difficult to get it The Community Current, St. John, Washington reopened than to fight to keep it open. R. Braiden Trapp can be contacted at [email protected].

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Pale Blue Light Blue Pale Pale Blue Light Blue Pale Dr. Director & ISWNE Executive Editor Studies of International Institute Director, Produced International Studies Missouri Southern State University 3950 MO 64801-1595 Joplin, (417) 625-9736 (417) stebbins- bit closer, perhaps. closer, bit ofAnd speaking legendary figures, a more there’s not legendary in figure Alabama newspa pers than the Goodloeunique ThanksSutton. your again for review! Folks my can order Amazon or from from book in hardcover BooksNewSouth (http://www.newsouth books.com/palebluelight); they’re also avail can also order You able in all ebook formats. the books me at montgomery. from direct they’[email protected]; $5 post $25 plus age and shipping. regards, Best Skip Tucker - - reviewing reviewing for for

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This publication will be made available in alternative formats upon request to Chad Stebbins 417-625-9736. Chad Stebbins to upon request formats in alternative This publication will be made available reporting and to encourage strong, independent editorial voices. The society seeks to fulfill its purpose holding seeks by fulfill The society its to voices. independent editorial strong, encourage reporting and to are exchanges. There international and encouraging issuing publications, awards, presenting annual conferences, Japan. Zealand, and New Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Canada, the United States, ISWNE membersthe in United subscribers are There to editor of the editor University 1999. Missouri Southern 1992 to from State in Brookings University State 1992, at South Dakota 1976 to became the in 1999. headquarters in Joplin and news writing of editorial standards improve to press in the weekly ISWNE’s help those purpose involved is to The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE) was founded in 1955 at Southern Illinois University in 1955 at Southern (ISWNE) founded Illinois University Editors was Newspaper of Weekly Society The International then R. Waring, and Houstoun Department Long, then at Carbondale, of Journalism chair of SIU’s Howard (SIU) by Alabama blue eyes would glisten and shine before bat and shine before glisten would blue eyes British tle flow. as the began to adrenaline as if a pale blue almost was observers said it his eyes. from light emanated Unpleasantness. nickname another “PaleBlue Light” for is yet Jackson,the whose pale legendary Stonewall For those who might’ve missed your kind missed your thoseFor who might’ve review, The States Between or The War The Civil War, The Recent it, to as some refer or, received by many of my peers from the peers from pub my of many by received and magazines, radio and from lishing world TV as well. Dear Goodloe, of my review recent Thanks your so much for novel, The Democrat-Reporter Linden, Alabama 2, 2013 Feb. Letter to the editor to Letter Alabama