IN THIS ISSUE: CHANGES AT SUN: PG 03 | Edmond Sun switches some issues to e-editions CREATING DISCUSSIONS: PG 7 | If you Twitter, they will follow ONF SUPPORT: PG 11 | Sign up for Pages for Tomorrow program Official Publication of the Oklahoma Press Association Vol. 81, No. 1 • Twelve Pages • January 2010

Download The Oklahoma Publisher in PDF format at www.OkPress.com/the-oklahoma-publisher Circulation growing at Claremore Progress By ADOLFO MENDEZ, driving the positive thought 28 Editor of The Inlander in your department.” WEEKS until the Bailey Dabney, pub- Dabney said a common Primary Election lisher of the Claremore misconception from nay- Daily Progress for the past sayers is that the public 18 months, posted impres- isn’t interested in newspa- Newspapers sive gains in circulation pers, but he doesn’t take are ready to in 2009, one of the worst that seriously. years ever for the newspa- “If you want to buy talk to you per industry. into the notion that nobody “Circulation growth reads newspapers anymore, about print does not have to be a thing get a DUI,” he said. “And and web of the past,” Dabney said. see how many people call “It’s not over for us … your momma wanting to advertising. we’ve been up 7.5 and 10 know what it in the world percent in circulation year is going on in your life over year. And we’re a that would have you get a small paper with very little DUI. It is just incredible The Claremore Daily Progress is a 6,000 circulation daily located in a 10,000-square-foot the number of people that resources.” building on Will Rogers Boulevard. The paper prints two dailies and about five weeklies. See Page 11 for results of see everything in the news- The Daily Progress is Photo supplied by Claremore Daily Progress who you said would a 6,000-circulation daily, paper.” buy the most newspaper with a growing profit mar- Dabney is convinced I am – but still, today’s to employees that growth Dabney’s positive out- advertising in the primary. gin, according to Dabney. many publishers and cir- market is one you can still is realistic. look is accompanied by old What’s his secret to culation directors have lost win in. “You need to say, ‘We fashioned hard work, he increasing profits? “We’re circulation because they “If you don’t think can show growth, and not said. not doing anything that’s expect to do so – losses that you can still grow in only can we, we have to “When I say it’s possi- ground-breaking,” he said. have become ingrained in today’s market, the mes- show growth,’” Dabney ble to grow circulation, I’m “We are just doing things their mindset. sage for you is, ‘yes we can said. “That will make a dif- not saying it’s easy. I’m that we feel like newspa- “It is still a market still grow circulation.’” ference in the folks around saying it’s still possible. It pers should’ve always been where circulation growth He said success really you. Your leadership is is going to be harder every doing. One of those core can happen,” Dabney said. won’t happen without going to deliver the results. year we continue to do it things is growing circula- “Unemployment in Okla- strong leadership that If you are in a position of until the [economic] tide tion.” turns in our direction.” homa is 8 percent where sends a positive message leadership, you need to be Continued on Page 3 Still time to register for OPA Mid-Winter Convention Whether you’re looking still plenty of time to reg- The Feb. 4, 5 and 6 convention is where win- We’re looking forward to for educational sessions or ister, said OPA Member convention will be held at ners of the 2009 Better seeing all of you there,” social interaction, you’ll Services Director Lisa the Sheraton & Reed Cen- Newspaper Contest will said Potts. find it all at the OPA’s Potts. “You can get online ter in Midwest City. be revealed. Complete convention Mid-Winter Convention. and register in minutes at In addition to educa- “The education com- information is available at Although the event is www.OkPress.com/con- tional sessions, round- mittee has planned an www.OkPress.com/con- only weeks away, there’s vention” she said. tables and receptions, the exciting convention. vention. 2 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, January 2010

OPA PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Nominating Committee suggests slate The OPA Nominating Committee met slate of officers and directors for the year in Oklahoma City on Jan. 14, 2010, to beginning July 1, 2010. recommend the slate of officers and direc- Current OPA Vice President Rod Ser- CatseyeBYBY GLORIA TRTROTTER,OTTER, tors to serve during the 2010-2011 term, foss, publisher of The Clinton Daily News, PPublisherublisher ooff The CountCountywideywide & SuSunn which begins July 1, 2010, and ends June was recommended to serve as president. 30, 2011. Rusty Ferguson, publisher of The Cleve- Happy 2010! Not so happy, you say? Revenue’s down? Circulation’s down? Doing The seven member committee is com- land American, was recommended to serve more — the web, etc. — with fewer people? posed of the six most recent OPA past as vice president, and Barb Walter, co- Welcome to the world of 21st century print journalism. presidents who are still active as news- publisher of The Hennessey Clipper, was Yes, I know — just a couple of months ago, I was writing about how Oklahoma news- paper executives and the current OPA recommended to serve as treasurer. Gloria papers, especially the smaller ones, were surviving the economic downturn pretty well. president. Trotter, co-publisher of The Countywide Well, apparently I spoke too soon. The shoe has dropped into the red dirt for most of us. Attending were Chairman Joe Worley, & Sun and 2009-10 president, was recom- At our place, we began to feel it in November. That’s also when it began to hit us Tulsa World; Ray Lokey, Johnston County mended to serve as past president. statewide, judging from sales tax receipts. Capital-Democrat; Gracie Montgomery, The committee also recommended the So now that the holidays are behind us and the new year has begun, it’s time to take a The Purcell Register; David Stringer, The renewal of three-year director terms for hard look at the numbers and try to do some long-range planning, like we do every Janu- Norman Transcript; Stu Phillips, The Sem- Jeff Mayo, associate publisher of Sequoyah ary. But man, is it hard this year! At our place, we’ve trimmed the payroll down to the inole Producer; Steve Booher, Cherokee County Times, and Jeff Funk, publisher of nub, cut expenses any way we can and are still looking at a pretty scary picture. I know Messenger & Republican, and Gloria Trot- Enid News & Eagle. many of you are in the same boat. ter, The Countywide & Sun. Brian Blansett, publisher of Shawnee Some didn’t get this far. The Midwest City Sun and the North Central Reporter are no The committee reviewed the OPA By- News-Star, was recommended as a new more. The Big Pasture News and Bryan County Star have ceased in recent weeks, and Laws, Nominating Committee Structure, director to serve a three-year term. several others may disappear in the next few months. Some dailies have become weeklies board policies regarding board service A general election for new officers and or semi-weeklies, and more will probably follow. and the board positions to be filled by the directors will be held during the OPA busi- You know what fewer readers and subscribers mean to your particular publication, but committee. ness meeting at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. I want you to think about what fewer members mean to our association — both in clout Upon completion of the reviews, the 4, 2010, at the Reed Center in Midwest and financially. committee recommended the following City. Nominations for officers and direc- Twenty-eight years ago, there were 247 papers. Now there are 201. In 1982 we had tors may also be made from the floor. 194 weeklies and now only 162. In 1982 we had 53 daily papers and now only 39. The decline has been gradual, but the direction consistent. And when we have less papers our OPA dues income decreases, and remaining papers are going to need to pay more dues. Remember that a few years ago, we voted on whether to loosen membership require- ments so that newspapers that don’t have legal notice status could join as business mem- bers. I was in the minority that supported that idea, but our arguments were less than con- Voices of community newspapers vincing. Our membership soundly rejected the idea. I’m now urging you to reconsider. From everyday life to life changing events, Oklahoma newspapers keep readers informed There are some excellent newspapers in the state that don’t qualify for business mem- about what’s happening in their community. Following are samples of what’s appearing bership under our current rules. A couple of dozen of them are sustaining members, but in Oklahoma newspapers. that leaves them out of many of the benefits of business membership and deprives us of good soldiers in our fight to push our industry forward and much needed dues revenue. WE HAVE THESE PLASTIC totes and pride. Today this act and the Sons Opening up the membership could add dozens to our rolls, possibly bringing the total that we put all our Christmas stuff in. of Liberty are revered in the annals of number of member papers back up to that 1982 level, increasing our total circulation by I can’t tell you exactly how many we American history. The Boston Tea Party, thousands and therefore increasing OPA’s revenue. It would give our OPS staff more to have, but I can tell you that it’s precisely as any American student who reads about sell, more to offer — and it won’t change a thing as far as who gets to print legal notices; one more than last year. Invariably, what it for the first time in their history texts, that’s a matter of state law. happens is I unpack all the junk and was a glorious chapter in the founding of We need to make the membership decision based on what is good for our industry and put it on the tree. Then, when it’s time the greatest nation on earth. our association, not on whether some newspaper down the road might suck up some of to take down the tree (roughly March), David Christy, Editorial that ad check you may or may not be getting. This is about surviving and prospering in a all of it won’t go back into the tubs, Enid News & Eagle, 1-1-2010 changing market. Your paper has to make changes and your association is going to need so I have to buy another one. In a few to change, too. Please think about it. This is not going away. more Christmases, we’ll have to build on MEANWHILE, YOUR BOARD is watching the pennies and planning for the future. Very soon, another room for Christmas stuff. we’ll have the results of our readership survey. Early indications are that it will provide John Doher, Column THIS MAY COME AS A SHOCK us with some encouraging and useful information, particularly in providing potential Madill Record, 1-7-2010 to you, but no more than it was to me. I advertisers with the numbers they demand these days. I’m very excited about it. have finally realized my true calling... I AGAIN, HISTORY IS ALL a matter was born to be a Grandpa. If there was I’LL CLOSE WITH A NOTE OF SYMPATHY for the families of Maxwell McCurdy, former of perspective. To officials in British ever any doubt, this past Christmas put editor of the Purcell Register, and D. Jo Ferguson, publisher of the Pawnee Chief, who America, this was a treasonous, wanton that to rest. … Of course I can’t take died early this month. Both lived long, productive lives and contributed enormously to act, punishable at the time by death. all the credit for my success in this Oklahoma journalism. I didn’t know Mr. McCurdy, but I certainly knew D. Jo and am Not a fine or jail time – death. Over endeavor. I’m following in some mighty proud to have received several of his goldenrod letters. D. Jo was the OPA board member tea! But to the majority of American big footsteps. who listened and helped when a bunch of us fresh young publishers were unhappy with colonists, this was a glorious act by Ray Wallace, Column the way things were being done. He gave me faith in the system and became one of my freedom fighters, worthy of both praise The Frederick Press, 1-7-2010 newspaper heroes. RIP, you two. 3 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, January 2010 Okarche schools rebid Edmond Sun switches to print-digital hybrid Beginning Feb. 1, The Edmond Sun cost 40 percent less than previously and construction project will publish a “hybrid” newspaper con- current subscribers will see their renewal New bids for the construction of the sisting of print editions on Tuesday and date extended accordingly. Okarche High School were solicited Saturday and daily e-editions the rest of Until the e-edition launches, along because the call for bids was improperly the week. with other new features including a sub- ISSN 1526-811X advertised. Subscribers will receive breaking scriber-only discount service, The Sun Official Publication of the news via their mobile devices and smart will collect client e-mail addresses for The Kingfisher Times & Free Press and OKLAHOMA PRESS the Okarche Chieftain disputed the action phones twice daily. delivery of the new, fully-formatted elec- of Timberlake Construction in running the Publisher Steve Paterson said The Sun tronic newspaper. ASSOCIATION bid notice in an Oklahoma City newspa- will continue to be a local newspaper, With the new, more efficient, cost- per, rather than a newspaper in the county. covering events that matter to Edmond effective Edmond Sun, customers will 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd. Timberlake Construction is the construc- residents. be more informed, entertained and con- Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499 ( ) ( ) tion manager for the Okarche project. Subscriptions to the new hybrid will nected than ever, said Paterson. 405 499-0020 • Fax 405 499-0048 Toll-Free in Oklahoma: (888) 815-2672 Under the state Public Competitive Web: www.OkPress.com Bidding Act, the notice was required to be E-mail: [email protected] published in a newspaper of general circu- lation published in the county where the Circulation growing at Claremore Progress PUBLISHER major part of the work is to be done. Continued from Page 1 It’s a good question that requires a good Mark Thomas Timberlake published the notice for The key for newspapers is persever- response, he said. “When I tell them our [email protected] bids in The Journal Record. ance. “We need to do what we used to do, circulation is up 7.5 percent or our circula- EDITOR “The reason for the law is to ensure that to be very committed every single day to tion is up 10 percent – whatever it happens Jennifer Gilliland the maximum number of local contractors circulation growth,” Dabney said. to be at the time – you can hear their jaw [email protected] will see the notice and have a chance to Dabney believes publishers and circu- hit the ground. People want to associate bid on the local projects,” said Randy K. lation directors know, for the most part, with a winner.” OPA OFFICERS Anderson, co-publisher of the Chieftain. that there are “millions” of ways to work To encourage the troops, Dabney shares Gloria Trotter, President In a letter to the Times & Free Press, toward profit. a “daily report card” that shows the home Okarche School Superintendent Bob Bar- “The first step to a profitable newspaper delivery numbers for the day, the week, The Countywide & Sun nett said he questioned the bidding process is always to grow your paid, print circula- the month and the year so everyone in Rod Serfoss, Vice President but was assured that it was proper. tion,” he said. “[Circulation] gimmicks are the building can see it. “If you create a Clinton Daily News “We congratulate Mr. Barnett and the not increasing real readership. Advertisers company-wide awareness of the successes Joe Worley, Treasurer school board for recognizing the error and want to see paid, print circulation. You that you’re having, of the challenges that Tulsa World taking steps to quickly correct the mistake need to prove your relevance to your mar- you’re facing, when you get your circula- once they became aware,” said Chieftain ketplace so that your advertising reps can tion number up a few percentage points, Mark Thomas, Executive Vice President Publisher Roger Pugh. go out with a position of strength.” everybody in the building is going to know Oklahoma City Although the new bidding process will Dabney said local businesses have it,” he said. “And all of their clients are delay the project, Barnett said he agreed turned news stories about the general going to know about it, and their friends OPA DIRECTORS that it is vital to make sure the law is fol- decline of the newspaper industry against are going to talk about it because it is a Steve Booher, Past President lowed when dealing with taxpayer dollars. him. thing of pride these days for a newspaper Cherokee Messenger & Republican “They’ll say, ‘Why would I want to to be able to show growth.” Rusty Ferguson, advertise in a dying industry?’ and ‘If you (EDITOR’S NOTE: This article, used with permis- The Cleveland American can’t figure out how to market yourself sion, originally appeared in the January 2010 New publisher at Altus Times where you’re growing, why in the world edition of The Inlander, the monthly publication Jeff Shultz, Garvin County News-Star Dan Taylor has been named publisher would I trust you to market my product to of the Inland Press Association. For more informa- Jeff Mayo, Sequoyah County Times tion about Inland Press, visit InlandPress.org.) of the Altus Times. where I would grow my product?’” Jeff Funk, Enid News & Eagle Taylor comes to Altus from the Graham Robby Trammell, The Oklahoman Leader in Graham, Texas, where he has Dayva Spitzer, Sayre Record & been the advertising director since 1997. Beckham County Democrat He also worked in advertising for the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, SUBSCRIBE TO Texas, and was associated with the Amaril- THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER lo Globe News before moving to Wichita $12 PER YEAR Falls. “The Altus Times has a long history in THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER (USPS 406-920) is published monthly for $12 per year by the the community and I think it’s the duty of Oklahoma Press Association, 3601 N. Lincoln the local newspaper to be the best it can Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499. Periodicals be so readers locally and from afar can be postage paid at Oklahoma City, OK. proud of their paper. Altus is a great com- munity and the Altus Times will continue POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., to be THE source to deliver its news,” Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499. Taylor said. 4 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, January 2010 OPA CALENDAR OF EVENTS Complete Listing of Events at Owasso finds way to comply with open records www.OkPress.com In a creative way, the City of Owasso psychological evaluation without probable weighed the confidentiality agreement FEB. 4-6, 2010 – MIDWEST CITY revealed the dollar amount of a settlement cause and subsequently fired. against the city’s duty to respond to open OPA MID-WINTER CONVENTION with a former police officer, satisfying an When Tulsa World made an open records requests and felt that while the set- Mark your calendars and plan to attend the open records request and still honoring records request for details of the settle- tlement might be confidential between the annual convention at the Sheraton & Reed a confidentiality agreement between the ment, plaintiff and defendant attorneys parties, an expenditure transaction analysis Center in Midwest City. parties. requested that the judge in the case order of the city’s self-insurance fund is public FEB. 19, 2010 – DEADLINE In November, the city settled a lawsuit the settlement be kept confidential. U.S. record. ONF STUDENT INTERNSHIP & brought against three current Owasso peace District Judge Gregory K. Frizell refused. In that analysis, provided to the Tulsa SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS officers by 17-year veteran officer Doug The city was still bound by a confiden- World by Ray, although Driver is not men- POSTMARK DEADLINE Driver. Driver contended that in 2008 he tiality agreement, however, which conflict- tioned by name, $175,000 was paid to the Applications available at was arrested and taken for an emergency ed with Oklahoma’s Open Records Act. Tulsa attorneys representing him on the www.okpress.com/onf. Owasso City Manager Rodney Ray same day the case was dismissed. FEB. 24, 26, 27 – OKC OKC GRIDIRON PERFORMANCES The 2010 Oklahoma City Gridiron production will be held in the Lyric Plaza Theatre at 1727 Owner of three Oklahoma newspapers files for bankruptcy NW 16th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73106. All shows begin at 7:45 p.m. and seats are $25. Heartland Publications LLC, which The three Oklahoma newspapers owned width of its newspapers to cut paper and Visit www.okcgridiron.org for more information owns three newspapers in Oklahoma, by Heartland are the Altus Times, Durant ink costs. MARCH 4 – OKC recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Daily Democrat and Frederick Leader. The company, headquartered in Clin- ONF FEATURE WRITING protection after agreeing with its major The company said all publications ton, Conn., has nearly 800 full-time and WORKSHOP lender on a plan to cut the company’s debt would continue operating as usual. part-time employees. Presented by Dr. Terry Clark, University of load by more than half. Heartland said it has taken steps to The bankruptcy filing came one day Central Oklahoma Journalism Professor. Heartland owns newspapers in nine bring down costs over the past two years, after Citadel Broadcasting Corp., the MARCH 27-28 – OKC states including Oklahoma, Georgia, Ken- including cutting its full-time work force nation’s third largest broadcasting com- IRE MULTIMEDIA WATCHDOG tucky, North Carolina, Ohio, South Caroli- and overtime hours as well as reducing the pany, also sought Chapter 11 protection. WORKSHOP na, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. A crucial duty of a journalist is to serve the public interest by acting as a watchdog on government and business. This duty has become all the more important at a time Pauls Valley Democrat when governments are restricting the flow of Three state papers cease publication information. Journalists must redouble their hires new reporter “We came. We wrote. We published.” received awards both for her writing and efforts to use freedom-of-information laws to Korina Schneider, publisher of The for the paper’s website. obtain public documents and help the public Ezra Mann recently joined the staff appreciate the value of such laws. Workshop North Central Reporter in Medford, “We came. We wrote. We published. will be held at The Oklahoman. at the Pauls Valley Daily Democrat as a penned those words in a farewell column Now we say goodbye and thank you.” reporter. For more information on upcoming events, to her readers. Also closing its doors is the Bryan visit the website as noted in the calendar, go to the Mann attended South Plains College After three and one-half years of opera- County Star in Durant. OPA website at www.OkPress.com or contact in Levelland, Texas; Texas Tech Univer- tion, the weekly newspaper shut its doors The Star’s final issue was published on Member Services Director Lisa Potts sity in Lubbock, and Eastern New Mexico at (405) 499-0026, 1-888-815-2672 or this month. Nov. 26, 2009. “It has been a privilege to e-mail [email protected]. University in Portales, where he earned a “It’s been a tough decision,” Schneider serve our subscribers and advertisers for bachelor’s degree in journalism. said. “I know I will never stop writing and the past 20-plus years,” said Linda Plyler, I know I will never stop loving journalism publisher of the Bryan County Star. and what it stands for, provides and has The Big Pasture News in Grandfield endured.” also stopped publishing this month. Edi- Schneider made a success of her news- tor and Publisher Judie Bright said health paper, both in print and online. She has issues forced her to close the business.

Newspaper Brokers LEGAL ADVICE Appraisers is just one of the benefits of being a member of the Oklahoma Press Association’s Legal Services Plan. Remove the worry of needing professional advice by enrolling today. For more information contact: Consultants OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION’S THOMAS C. BOLITHO EDWARD M. ANDERSON We have many years experience in P.O. BOX 849 P.O. Box 2001 LEGAL SERVICES PLAN ADA, OK 74821 the community newspaper market BRANSON, MO 65616 (580) 421-9600 (417) 336-3457 [email protected] www.nationalmediasales.com [email protected] 1-888-815-2672 or 405-499-0020 5 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, January 2010 THE TRUTH CANNOT BE ERASED NNA objects to postal rate hike for lightweight newspapers By MICHAEL MINNIS, OPA ATTORNEY When he later ran for public office, his National Newspaper Association Post- ECRS publications, 54 percent. High “Expungement” is a opponent pointed out the prior drug con- al Committee Chairman Max Heath has Density and Saturation publications in word used in Oklahoma victions. The candidate with the expunged vigorously objected to a proposed new Standard Mail would be exempt. Statutes to describe the conviction sued for defamation and inva- Postal Service rule that would penalize In comments filed Dec. 29, Heath and legal process by which a sion of privacy. lightweight newspapers that fail to pass a NNA Counsel Tonda F. Rush objected to criminal charge and guilty An appellant court found that the state- new “droop” test. the substantial proposed rate increases in plea can be removed from ments by the opponent about the prior USPS has suggested changing stan- a year when USPS had already announced the public record. drug convictions “are, as a matter of law, dards for periodicals and some news- no intention to increase rates. The ratio- In some expungements, the action “shall not defamatory because the information paper shoppers/Total Market coverage nale for the deflection test was originally be deemed never to have occurred” and the they contained is true. … In our judgment Standard Mail. The new rule would be to ensure compatibility with automated lawbreaker and court officials can say that plaintiff’s successful expungement of the effective in June 2010. sorting equipment within USPS, but the it never happened. record does not make defendant’s state- The present rule permits periodicals new proposal alleges that the handling Although the goals of such laws are ments about that record ‘false.’” that droop less than four inches when of lightweight flat mail is a problem with ostensibly to limit the damage to a per- The New Jersey Court succinctly noted tested by dangling off a flat service. The manual handling as well. son’s career that might ensue because of that were it to rule otherwise, it would new rule would subtract an inch of that Heath said he expected opposition a one-time misstep, the result is to rewrite mean “that a state legislature is vested flexibility to permit only three inches of from periodicals mailers within the mag- history in a false fashion. with the power to control the viability of droop. Publications failing to meet the azine industry as well. This false history can have unintend- the defense of truth to a libel action. Such test would be blocked from their present “USPS has been hard on all light- ed consequences. One such consequence a position would be repugnant to the core rate categories, and elevated to higher weight periodicals these past few years. could arise in a libel suit where truth is an values of the First Amendment.” rates. The increases for Within County We are not the only ones affected. I absolute defense and one has a privilege to Finally, the court dismissed the privacy Periodicals would be as high as 78 per- expect an outcry from the publishing accurately report public documents. claims because the “fact of plaintiff’s con- cent; for Outside County Periodicals, world, which is already struggling to This possibility actually occurred in viction is certainly not private as all crimi- 69 percent and for some Standard Mail survive the recession,” he said. New Jersey where a convicted drug dealer nal arrests and convictions are matters of had his record expunged. public record.” The plaintiff’s expungement order pro- Let us hope such a challenge is not vided “that the arrest which is the subject mounted in Oklahoma, but that if it is a of this order shall be deemed not to have court will follow the lead of New Jersey. Ad Revenue occurred.” DA says no intention to violate meeting act is Everywhere Washington County District Attorney from what the report indicates, intended Rick Esser won’t file charges against three to violate the law. The statue clearly says members of a Bartlesville city commit- you have to have intention to purposefully tee accused of violating the state’s Open violate the act.” Meeting Act. The five-member panel voted on two Esser said there is no indication that the items at the meeting that did not include city’s Design Review Committee willfully wording indicating that the group would intended to violate the state law during “discuss and take action on” the items. its Dec. 15 meeting and that the problem However, the committee’s agenda had appeared to be the result of a clerical error. other items for which “discuss and take “It looked like from the information action” were included in the wording. obtained there was no intention to violate Joel Rabin filed a police complaint the Open Meeting Act,” Esser said. “I can’t against the three committee members who find that the Design Review Committee, voted on the agenda items.

Police recover stolen newspaper equipment Wondering how you can get these brands A man suspected of breaking into sev- shed allegedly used by the suspect to hide (and more) running in your publications? eral Tishomingo-area businesses has now loot. been tied by evidence to the burglary of the Capital-Democrat staff later identified Go to Recas.com/soon to find out! Johnston County Capital-Democrat. the equipment as being newspaper prop- Caleb Bates, 19, was arrested for alleg- erty that went missing in a September edly selling new cell phones stolen from a burglary. local business on Nov. 29. Police believe more arrests will follow Police contacted the Capital-Democrat and hope to recover Capital-Democrat after property, including camera equip- laptops and a digital camera that were not 800.348.6485, ext. 5324 ment, was recovered from an abandoned among property found in the shed. 6 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, January 2010 THE OGE PHOTO CONTEST

DECEMBER 2009 DECEMBER 2009 DAILY WINNER: WEEKLY WINNER: ROWYYN RICKS TERRI CHERVENKA Woodward News Elk Citian

NOVEMBER 2009 NOVEMBER 2009 DAILY WINNER: WEEKLY WINNER: CHELCEY ADAMI JOE McCLOUR Stillwater NewsPress Atoka County Times

SEE ALL WINNING PHOTOS AT WWW.OKPRESS.COM Several cars on a Union Pacific train derailed in Atoka Thursday, Oct. 29. Pictured are derailed cars from the empty coal train. There were no injuries. Photo by JOE McCLOUR, Atoka County Times, Published Nov. 4, 2009

LEFT: Young girl caught during a moment of reflection in front of the stained glass windows at the Old Town Museum Chapel in Elk City. Photo by TERRI CHERVENKA, Elk Citian, Published Dec. 23, 2009

Kelly Smith was arrested outside of her mobile home in Stillwater during the serving of 64 arrest RIGHT: Vici senior Jonna Gregory goes to the hoop against the Sharon-Mutual Trojans warrants for purchasing over the legal nine-gram limit of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in during a game at the Mooreland Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament. manufacturing methamphetamine. Photo by ROWYNN RICKS, Woodward News, Published Dec. 12, 2009 Photo by CHELCEY ADAMI, Stillwater NewsPress, Published Nov. 17, 2009 7 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, January 2010 Twitter turns casual readers into fanatics Keep in touch with examples of catastrophic events but they’re police report of the incident in this week’s That InterWeb Thing important to your readers and advertisers. newspaper.” Oklahoma newspapers by KEITH BURGIN, OPA STAFF The right strategy can bring your newspa- If you have a website, it’s simple to The Oklahoma Press Service recent- per website or Twitter page return visitors include a page that displays your Twitter ly launched a new product to help Twitter – the name evokes thoughts of and an endless source of news tips. account in “realtime” – that’s propeller- clients keep in touch with Oklahoma birds flitting through trees or butterflies A Twitter page head for “as it’s happening.” newspapers. dancing through is easy to set up. My suggestion is that you sponsor that The Oklahoma Newspaper Direc- fields or the English Go to Twitter.com, page or sell banner ads on it. You might tory compiles the information in a language plunging US click “Sign Up Now,” even tweet about the sponsor once in spreadsheet format that contains all into the abyss of obscu- give them a name, e-mail awhile. “This Twitter update is brought to the information you need – publication rity like a jet-powered brick. address and account you by McCain’s Pizza in Ourtown, blah, name, city, county, phone number, fax It is, instead, the pre-eminent name – you have a Twit- phone number, blah blah.” number, address (street and post office micro-blogging system in the world ter account. Now you can Start discussions of local issues and see box), e-mail, website, owner, days of today. 140-character messages or begin posting – 140 characters where your readers’ opinions fall. Find out publication, and names of the publisher “tweets” pass back and forth between at a time. what they want to know, what they want or general manager, editor and adver- millions of users every hour. It’s tech- The next step is to let your to talk about. tising director. nology you can use. readers know about the oppor- Use your hashtags to identify discus- The Oklahoma Newspaper Direc- One of Twitter’s great strengths is tunity to get involved. Post your sions – example: “#TownCouncil : Rory tory sells for $50 plus tax. Customers that is it platform and software-indepen- Twitter information in your newspaper, Smith recused himself from the sanita- who purchase the directory will receive dent. That means that Mac, PC, Linux, on your website or anywhere you come in tion vote because he owns Smith Waste monthly updates by e-mail. smart phone – pretty much any device contact with them. Invite them to join the Systems.” Also included in the initial purchase with texting capabilities and an Internet discussion. Tell them you’re always look- You can tweet from meetings, drug is a one-time only PDF formatted ver- connection – can post to and read Twitter ing for news tips. busts, football games, civic events, county sion to print out and keep at your desk. from anywhere. “The mayor’s car hit a tree. Ambulance fairs – frankly, the list is almost endless. The spreadsheet, built in Microsoft During the Iranian election riots in June took him to Mercy Hospital. His car looks When you aggressively pursue readers Excel, provides customers with the of last year, the U.S. State Department con- totaled, police have it. He was weaving and get them talking, you create a follow- ability to customize it to their specific tacted Twitter and asked them to postpone all over the road.” That’s 139 characters ing. That’s what Twitter is for… they even needs. their regularly scheduled maintenance so and your Twitter page picked it up from a use the term “follow me.” Order your copy securely through that the network would be available at all reader standing at the scene and tweeting This is all simple technology that is the Oklahoma Press Association web- times. Twitter and Facebook were the sole from his cell phone. freely and easily accessible – you can site at www.okpress.com/oklahoma- information pipeline from demonstrators Tag this post with a “hashtag” – that’s generate revenue from it if you approach it newspaper-directory or print out the in Iran to the outside world. the # sign along with a topic tag, such as with an open mind. order form and return to Oklahoma As I write this, the social media world, #MayorWreck. Start every post regarding So rather than thinking Twitter is frivo- Press. including Twitter, is burning up with news, this topic with that hashtag and people will lous or a catastrophe, I suggest you run For more information, contact updates and donation opportunities for the be able to find the discussion easily. down into that abyss, catch some of those Oklahoma Press at (405) 499-0020 or victims of a massive earthquake in Haiti. Now you can drive traffic to the paper falling bricks and build something solid e-mail newspaperdirectory@okpress. Issues in your city or town may not be product or website. “Full details and the from them. com. The show Oklahoma Politicians LOVE to hate Don’t miss this year’s lively show highlighting President Obama’s first year in office – from the townhall meetings to the party crashers. Plus local and FEBRUARY 24, 26 & 27 state silliness including MAPS and the race for Governor. NEW LOCATION IN 2010: The Oklahoma City Gridiron Club was founded in 1928 and has LYRIC AT THE PLAZA in the renovated Plaza District located performed annual political satire for Oklahoma City audiences for 70 at 1727 NW 16th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73106 years. The club did not perform during the war years, 1942 through 1946, but has staged the annual show in various sites in Oklahoma City TICKETS: $25 EACH. To purchase, visit www.okcgridiron.org or ever since. phone Ticketstorm at 1-866-966-1777 or visit Ticketstorm’s retail outlets Proceeds from the show fund scholarships and grants for Oklahoma (Party Galaxy Stores and Guestroom Records). student journalists. Friend...Breathe This Bit of Aroma: FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHOW Something Always Happens in Oklahoma! OR TO PURCHASE TICKETS, VISIT - Ancient Gridiron Proverb WWW.OKCGRIDIRON.ORG 8 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, January 2010 Learn ways to increase your sales at advertising workshop Mark your calendars to attend the Okla- net-based advertising effectively, how to speaker, including Knight-Ridder, Scripps, homa Newspaper Foundation workshop structure and lead the value-based sales Morris Communications, Boone Newspa- THANK “Getting Advertisers to Spend in a Down process, how to sell ROI and much more. pers, CNHI, Southern Newspaper Publish- Economy: How to Maximize Your News- Presented by Landy Chase, MBA, CSP, ers Association, Newspaper Association paper’s Value Proposition” on Feb. 25 from the workshop will focus on emerging of America, New York Press, Nebraska YOU 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clarion Meridian industry challenges and practical solutions Press, Florida Newspaper Advertising and to the following individuals and Convention Center in Oklahoma City. that drive advertising sales people to suc- Marketing Executives, Oregon Publishers organizations for their recent This cutting-edge workshop will teach ceed within this economy. Association and many others. donations to the Oklahoma ad directors, sales managers and sales Based in Charlotte, N.C., Chase is a Registrations, which are due by Feb. people how to consistently sell long-term, nationally active sales expert who spe- 22, are only $35 per person. For more Newspaper Foundation: multi-channel advertising programs and cializes in increasing the effectiveness information, please contact ONF Member take market share from your competitors. of account executives and advertising Services Coordinator Emily Hood at (405) In memory of D. Jo Ferguson: During this workshop, participants will directors through high-impact, profession- 499-0040 or toll-free at 1-888-815-2672, learn why ad sales are never lost because al skills instruction. Since 1993, he has or e-mail [email protected]. Com- THE HENNESSEY CLIPPER of your rates, what “I can’t afford to worked extensively with industry clients plete workshop information is available at JIM PATE advertise” really means, how to sell Inter- and associations as a sales trainer and okpress.com/events-calendar.

In memory of Maxwell to the Oklahoma Planning and Resources MAXWELL McCURDY, longtime McCurdy: (now Tourism and Recreation) Commis- civic leader and former co-publisher of the DEATHS sion, served as a Regent on the board at Purcell Register, died Jan. 6, 2010, at his ANDY & KAREN RIEGER DAVID JO ‘D. JO’ FERGUSON, Northern Oklahoma College and as the home in Purcell. He was 97. only non-Indian on the Pawnee Indian JIM PATE longtime publisher of The Pawnee Chief, “Max,” as he was known to his friends, died Jan. 4, 2010, in Pawnee. He was 87. Housing Authority. was born March 27, 1912. He attended Ferguson was born March 7, 1922, in Ferguson served as president of the Purcell schools and was a standout athlete. Pawnee. After graduating from Pawnee Oklahoma Press Association in 1972 after Following graduation from Purcell High High School in 1939, he attended Okla- serving on the board for 10 years. In 1988, School in 1929, he attended the University homa Military Academy for a year and he was inducted into the OPA Half Century of Oklahoma. then went to the University of Oklahoma Club. The OPA presented D. Jo with the Max returned to Purcell and began for a year Milt Phillips Award in 1992 and in 1998 he working at the Purcell Register. His life In 1941, Ferguson helped his father, Jo was inducted into the Oklahoma Journal- changed in 1935 when Register owner O., and his partner establish the Pawnee ism Hall of Fame. Guy Hardie died and his widow sold the Chief. D. Jo worked on the Chief for a “He was a classy, family newspaper newspaper and family home to James C. few months before joining the Navy in man,” said OPA Executive Vice President and Ayleene Nance of Walters. The Nance 1942. He was sent to San Diego where he Mark Thomas. “He loved his family and family became next door neighbors to was joined by Helen Lyon, his classmate- friends and was a great advocate for his the McCurdy family and Max met the sweetheart. D. Jo and Helen were married city, state and nation.” love of his life, Mary Rosamond “Rosie” in Glendale, Calif., on April 3, 1943. Ferguson always said one of the high McCurdy. They were married June 23, Ferguson served overseas on a troop ship points of his life was presiding at the OPA 1937, in a formal ceremony at the Nance A donation to the Oklahoma Newspaper meeting honoring E.K. Gaylord on his home. Foundation will support its efforts to and later a carrier, which was involved in skirmishes near Japan. He was discharged 100th birthday. At that same meeting he Max served in the U.S. Navy during improve the state’s newspaper industry presented his father with the OPA Half World War II, attaining the rank of Tor- and quality of journalism. in 1945 and returned to Oklahoma to once again attend OU. Century Club membership. pedoman Second Class aboard the USS At home he remained active in the ONF’s programs include training and At OU he was involved in both the Wadleigh, a large destroyer. County Historical Society, Friends of Paw- education for professional journalists, editorial and advertising departments of He returned home following his active nee Bill Ranch, the First Christian Church, scholarship and internship programs for the Oklahoma Daily, was president of the duty and immediately became involved where he was an Elder, and community. journalism students, and Newspaper in campus Young Republicans, was an officer in the post-war community life in Purcell He continued to write a weekly column Education efforts. of the Independent Men’s Association, was and at the Register. He was active in the chosen as a Big Man On Campus (BMOC) and news stories at the Chief until the very Chamber, served as president of the Rotary ONF relies on donations and memorial for the OU yearbook, and was elected to end. Club, and participated in all civic events. contributions to fund these programs. the state legislature. Survivors include his wife, Helen of the He also served on various committees of He returned to Pawnee in 1949 to home; two daughters and three sons, Cher- the Oklahoma Press Association. If you would like to make a donation, operate the Pawnee Chief while his father yl Bryant and husband Junior of Pawnee, Max was an avid golfer and was city please send a check to: campaigned for the office of Governor of Janelle Munding of Westport, Okla., Jo champion two consecutive years. How- Oklahoma. Ferguson and wife Pam of Pawnee, Scott ever, it was his love for fishing and hunting OKLAHOMA NEWSPAPER Ferguson was heavily involved with Ferguson and wife Barbara of Tulsa, Dave in his spare time that enabled him to begin community and state organizations. He Ferguson and wife Debbie of Pawnee; a writing his weekly column, “Hunting & FOUNDATION sister, Delores Hooper, Sand Springs; a Fishing by Max,” which resulted in some 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd. served as president of the Pawnee Commu- nity Chamber of Commerce, Commander brother, Larry Ferguson and wife Nina writing/originality awards. Oklahoma City, OK 73105 of the American Legion, was appointed Gay, Cleveland; 14 grandchildren and 18 Max and Rosie loved to follow the OU great-grandchildren.. Continued on Page 9 9 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, January 2010 Using multiple font libraries requires effective management tem looks for fonts and choose to resolve any of the fonts the system uses to work. see Startup and Shutdown lines. Just check computer notes duplicates: A list of required system fonts sorted by them and set the time of day you would from the road 1. The OS looks for Operating System can be found at Apple’s like to schedule for those functions. You Library > Fonts website. might have to toggle the little lock on the by WILMA MELOT 2. It looks and activates InDesign can also be a useful tool for bottom of the dialog box in order to make Let’s have some font fun this month. Network > Library > Fonts finding fonts. Under the Type menu, go to changes – and that may require your login With thousands of fonts available, sooner 3. It finds System > Find Font, select a font and then choose and password. or later you’re going to have some prob- Library > Fonts for OS X “Reveal in Finder.” This takes you to the Even if you only schedule it to shut lems with them. Maybe some of these tips 4. It finds System > Fonts font folder used by the program. Now you down for a few hours, it saves power. With will help you out. (in the OS 9 folder) know where to look when replacing or a number of computers in the building that First, let’s look at Font Book. If you 5. It looks in the User > deactivating a bad font. savings might add up. must use Font Book as your font manage- Library > Fonts folder Font Book will tell you if the font is If the system has multiple users, change sound or not by using File > Validate MISSING HARD DRIVE SPACE ment system (Mac), there are some precau- If you have a Mac hard drive at your tions to take before starting. your preferences in Font Book to “default Font. install location – Computer” to use a mas- office that suddenly fills up for no apparent First, never move your fonts from the SAVE MONEY, SAVE ENERGY reason, take caution. Hard Drive > Library > Font folder. If you ter folder somewhere on the main drive. Now it gets interesting. Adobe pro- Whether or not to turn off your com- That drive may be getting ready to fail. do, your machine may not restart. puter at night is often debated. My advice is to back up your data files Fonts named Keyboard.dfont, Last- grams look for fonts in a folder that’s installed with the program. They’ll be I’m here to say that there’s no harm in and then run the disk utility. If Verify Resort.dfont and LucidaGrande.dfont are turning it off at night and that there’s even Disk shows that there’s real damage, try used mainly for menus and other system in the application folder, such as Adobe InDesign > Fonts. The program loads a way to do it automatically. to repair it. display purposes and are very important to Turning off your machine not only If only one sector on the drive is bad, the operating system. It’s also interesting faster if you put your fonts there. If this is your master, instruct Font Book to look helps clear RAM, it closes some of those you might try putting a bandage on it for to note that MarkerFelt.ttc cannot be in programs that run all the time. awhile. By this, I mean reformatting the two spots on the hard drive. there for fonts as well. You can activate fonts in other locations For automatic shutoff on a Mac, go disk and reinstalling all of your programs. How about this tidbit – the system sim- to System Preferences by clicking on the Or, you could just replace the disk. ply will not boot without Lucida Grande; by adding their folder in Font Book and activating from there. blue apple in the upper left corner of the Unexpected behaviors such as this it’s the master font. If you somehow screen. Select Energy Saver and look for a should always be a big red flag to back remove it while the system is on, you’ll Now the trick is to be sure you have only one copy of each font on the hard “schedule” button. up now. lose control of all menus. When you click on “schedule” you’ll As I understand it, this is how the sys- drive – without moving or deactivating

DEATHS, Cont’d from Page 8 teams to away games, and were longtime Studio. He was a sixth-degree black belt ver City, Calif. He married Loretta Stewart to an individual in the field of photojour- season ticket holders. They loved to travel, and was working to earn his seventh-de- on Feb. 24, 1943 in Whittier, Calif. nalism, the Joseph A. Sprague Memorial especially to Hawaii and Canada. Their gree belt to become a master instructor. After his military service, he enrolled at Award from the National Press Photogra- favorite trip of all was to Scotland and Survivors include his wife, Lori, of the OU, graduating in 1949. He then became phers Association. Ireland in 1989 for a “Gathering of the home; two sons, D. Michael Holloway a full-time staff and faculty member and He was inducted into the Oklahoma McCurdy Clan” on the Isle of Bute. and Marcus Holloway, both of Ada; his served for more than 40 years. He was a Higher Education Hall of Fame and the Max was preceded in death by his wife father, Jerry Dale Holloway of McAlester; highly regarded teacher of film and video Oklahoma Broadcasters Association Hall Rosie in 2007. a sister, Kim Williams of Ada; and three studies with hundreds of students through- of Fame in 1996, and the Oklahoma Jour- He is survived by three sons, Tom grandchildren. out the industry. nalism Hall of Fame in 1988. McCurdy, of Purcell, Dr. James R. “Rick” In 1984, Hockman was awarded OU’s Hockman is survived by his wife, two McCurdy of Goldsby, and Mike McCurdy NED HOCKMAN, a war veteran and highest academic rank, the David Ross daughters and several grandchildren and of Norman; one brother, Dr. Robert E. pioneering former University of Oklahoma Boyd Distinguished Professorship. In great-grandchildren. McCurdy of Denver; 16 grandchildren; 23 film professor, died Dec. 20, 2009. He addition, he holds the highest award given great-grandchildren and two great-great- was 88. grandchildren. Hockman is known for establishing OU’s Film and Video Studies Program in MICHAEL HOLLOWAY, a longtime 1949. NEWSPAPER & PUBLICATION BINDING pressman for the Ada Evening News, Charles Nedwin Hockman was born in Before you have your next issue bound, give us a call. We offer exceptional quality, died Dec. 17, 2009, at an Oklahoma City Carnegie on Oct. 27, 1921. He attended competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. With three generations of experi- hospital. Carnegie schools before going to Cameron ence, we have the knowledge and skill to get your job done. Other services He was born Sept. 3, 1960, at Ada, College in Lawton. He worked nights on include Bible binding and restoration, embossing and much more. Okla. He graduated from Laquey High the Lawton Morning Press. School in Waynesville, Mo., in 1979. He was drafted into the Army in World ACE BOOKBINDING CO. Holloway was a pressman at the Ada War II and was trained as a motion picture 825 N. Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73106 Evening News from 1982 until the pres- producer. He served with the U.S. Army (405) 525-8888 or Toll-Free at 1-800-525-8896 ent time. He also served as a martial arts Air Corps’ first motion picture unit in Cul- E-mail: [email protected] • www.AceBookBinding.com instructor at Holloway’s Tae Kwon-Do 10 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, January 2010 North Central Reporter bids adieu to its readers “I have a shelf full of back issues that Clark’s Critique tell me I’ve made a name for myself. I have BY TERRY CLARK, Journalism Professor, a subscription list and a thriving website to University of Central Oklahoma show that we have provided news to read- [email protected] ers from not just Grant and Kay counties I received a shocking message on Face- but throughout the United States. I have book the other day. Korina Dove Schneider a wall full of plaques and a drawer full of sent me her column announcing the death certificates to indicate success – if that is of The North Central Reporter. Oklahoma how success is measured. To me, that is has a lot of bright stars in journalism and not how success is measured (although, she and her paper have been part of that those plaques do make me smile). constellation. Then I read her comments “Many will call me a failure. Some will and understood, as would anyone who has say I’m a quitter. Others will just be dis- worked in weekly journalism. appointed. (A few will jump for joy!)…. This is different than just executing the “This will be the last edition of The North Midwest City Sun. She’s worked hard. Central Reporter. It’s time to move on. I She’s built the kind of paper that will have three children, a mission trip in March survive technology by adapting it, and is a and who knows what else calling my name. model for community journalism’s vibrant “We came. We wrote. We published. future. But she’s also young, 37. She has a “Now, we say goodbye and thank family. She has goals, wanting to go back you….” to college and eventually teach in journal- CLARK’S CRITIQUE: How do you Hominy News-Progress visual retrospective of ism. Her readers and her communities will cover a storm and weather in a fresh way? 2009 does collage right; Granite Enterprise’s be poorer with the decision, but I applaud Searching through our papers, I found imagery makes the story pop. her decision to move on. I know first hand several approaches and headlines worth the high cost of journalism on personal sharing, as the old year ended, and a new life. In the long run, I believe the state will one began with a blizzard and lots of ite Enterprise. Head: “Old man winter be richer, as will her family. Final wake up cold. arrives.” call was when her daughter identified her Tom Fink of the Claremore Daily At The Ponca City News, Rolf Clements How do you close out a year? With the as “The North Central Reporter.” Progress writes about the people who have photographed a great blue heron, with only usual wrap of stories and heads, right? With her permission, here are excerpts to work outside, such as city employees. one foot, in flight over an icy lake. Some are switching to photo pages as well, from her eloquent and agonizing final col- Head: “Weathering the Weather – when Best writing I saw on the storm was in and I saw no better collage than on the umn, “Closing Time.” working in the cold isn’t a choice.” He The Shawnee News-Star, under the head- front page of the Hominy News-Progress. “Homeless vs. Cold.” e’ve decided to close the also wrote an interesting feature on a local line, Johnna Ray I usually don’t like collages because they paper. It’s been a tough igloo builder. Also at the Progress, Joy went and talked to them. Here’s her lead: look high-schoolish, or only feature group decision. I spent most of Hampton went to a local yarn shop to fea- “Her eyes glittered with tears, her hands shots and officials, but Hominy did it right. “W and lips trembled and her voice rose and The other photo pages I saw tell me I’ll yesterday afternoon with our pastor and ture the women knitting. Head: “Women his wife talking and praying and crying. share winter yarns, avoid unraveling dur- lifted as ‘Elaine’ spoke about this winter’s have a column on how to do them cor- It was a long afternoon, but I am looking ing times of stress.” bitter cold, her children she seldom sees, rectly sometime this year. forward to the future. I know I will never Josh Doering of the Weatherford Daily the mother for whom she worries and her Another successful idea comes from “2010 stop writing, and I know I will never stop News went to the senior citizen center for more than 35 years of on-again off-again The Lone Grove Ledger, under Hope Chest.” loving journalism and what it stands for, a photo on the card players, with a great homelessness.” Community leaders from provides and has endured…. dramatic close up of a hand of cards. Head: Lori Clinton of the Sulphur Times-Dem- many areas are asked about their plans and “Although I can’t imagine my life as “Playing the hand you’re dealt.” ocrat wrote and photographed residents at hopes for the new year. This is the 20th “Digging out.” “Diggin’ out” something other than a newspaper person, Mike Averill of the Tulsa World report- work. Head: year The Ledger has featured this high I do envision my future as something ed on the overload at homeless shelters in was the head in the Carnegie Herald’s readership item. different than a newspaper publisher…. the cold, forcing transfers. Head: “Shel- photograph of country road maintainers at Other stories ideas you can use. Jason “I admit I’ve always been proud to be ter shuffle.” At The Oklahoman, Michael work. Purcell Register’s head, overlaid on McPherson of the Marlow Review reports “Dream of a White Christmas associated with The North Central Report- McNutt reported on how the cold weather a photo, was on a public school going to a four-day NIGHTMARE for some.” er. I admit I’ve always been proud to pub- in the east may help Oklahoma’s natural week. His terrific lead: “A call to Central lish The North Central Reporter. I admit gas income. Head: “Chill warms state Dramatic photography in The Tuttle High Public Schools on Friday will go that my pride has ruled my every move for coffers.” Times by Karen Brady. She got down low unanswered.” Joy Hampton of the Cla- almost four years. … The Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise below the massive drifts alongside a high- remore Daily Progress reports on school “Schools on “When I started this paper, I wanted to reported on the community Christmas din- way for a six column, half page photo that budget problems. Head: “Snow blankets Chopping Block.” make a name for myself. I wanted to pro- ners almost canceled by bad weather. added impact to the head, much of state.” vide Grant and Kay counties with news. I Head: “A Christmas that almost was not.” The Broken Arrow Ledger’s Lucienda wanted readers to be informed. I wanted Head on a Kasey Fowler story in the Enid Also dramatic photography to go with Denson had the guts and initiative to tackle to succeed. News & Eagle said it all: “Single Digits.” the story by Tommy Wells in The Gran- Continued on Page 11 11 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, January 2010 OPA members pledge support for ONF’s new fund-raising program OPA STAFF Fifty newspapers have tion without requiring any Apache News Hooker Advance OKC Friday already pledged to participate cash out of pocket. Bartlesville Examiner- Indian Journal Oologah Lake Leader DIRECTORY in the Oklahoma Newspa- • It creates a new opportu- Enterprise (Eufaula) Owasso Reporter ADMINISTRATION per Foundation’s Pages for nity for Oklahoma Press Bixby Bulletin Jenks Journal Pauls Valley MARK THOMAS, Executive Vice President Tomorrow program. Service to show advertisers Carnegie Herald Journal Record (OKC) Daily Democrat The new program will that are not currently using Catoosa Times Kingfisher Times & Pawnee Chief [email protected] • (405) 499-0033 allow ONF to continue pro- newspapers how effective Cherokee Messenger Free Press Purcell Register viding educational training our medium really is. & Republican Kiowa County Ringling Eagle ROBERT WALLAR, Accounting Manager and materials to professionals • It helps ONF remain a pub- Cheyenne Star Democrat Sand Springs Leader [email protected] • (405) 499-0027 and students. lic charity under IRS rules. Collinsville News Konawa Leader Seminole Producer Countywide & Sun Mannford Eagle Sequoyah County ONF asks that newspapers For more information SCOTT WILKERSON, Front Office/Building Mgr. Coweta American Marlow Review Times [email protected] • (405) 499-0020 donate advertising space equal about the program and to sign Davis News McIntosh County Shawnee News-Star to one-quarter page during up, visit www.okpress.com/ El Reno Tribune Democrat Skiatook Journal MEMBER SERVICES each quarter of 2010. pages-for-tomorrow. Elk Citian Meeker News Tulsa Daily Commerce The Pages for Tomorrow Following is a list of OPA Elk City Daily News Mooreland Leader & Legal News LISA POTTS, Member Services Director program is important for sev- member newspapers that have Garvin County Mountain View News Vian Tenkiller News [email protected] • (405) 499-0026 eral reasons: donated advertising space to News Star Mustang News Wagoner Tribune • It provides a significant the Pages for Tomorrow pro- Glenpool Post Newcastle Pacer Watonga Republican EMILY HOOD, Member Services Coordinator contribution to the founda- gram: Hobart Democrat-Chief Norman Transcript Wewoka Times [email protected] • (405) 499-0040

ADVERTISING , Cont’d from Page 10 CLARK SARAH BARROW, Ad Director a story I wish every paper would – guaran- And the survey says… Jari Askins [email protected] • (405) 499-0021 teed high readership and lots of comment. Last month, Oklahoma Press Associa- Drew Edmondson would spend more on She interviewed preachers. Head: “Right tion asked who you thought would spend newsprint than Randy Brogdon or Mary CINDY SHEA, Media Manager or Wrong – Politics in the Pulpit.” the most campaign dollars with newspa- Fallin. [email protected] • (405) 499-0023 And nothing beats good writing. Wendy pers in the upcoming election. Democrats barely registered in the Burton of the Fort Gibson Times writes a In the race for governor, our poll lieutenant governor’s race. Republicans LANDON COBB, Account Executive feature on a local attorney and his love of showed that two-thirds of the respondents John Write and Todd Hiett were predicted [email protected] • (405) 499-0022 old law books. Here’s her dynamite lead: felt that Democrat Jari Askins would to spend more of their campaign dollars “When darkness falls, and wind rattles the spend the most money with newspapers on newspapers than their three opponents MELISSA TORRES, Advertising Assistant & windowpanes, Fort Gibson City Attorney during her campaign. combined. OCAN/2X2 Contact Don Lewis channels the past in the 1903 The remaining third indicated that [email protected] • (405) 499-0035 Earl Boyd Pierce Building. / “It’s so warm; you just feel like you’re in a different time, CREATIVE SERVICES pulling books off the shelf and reading instead of being on the Internet.” National Newspaper Association launches new website JENNIFER GILLILAND, Creative Services Director The National Newspaper Association rotating slideshow on the front page that [email protected] • (405) 499-0028 HEAD’EM UP AWARDS: First place, has a new website at nnaweb.org. The new touts new programs and opportunities for Stillwater NewsPress, second-coming all- site is more user-friendly, easier to read members. KEITH BURGIN, Editorial Assistant cap head on a Chelcey Adami photo and and its navigation is more intuitive. It also includes an online store where [email protected] • (405) 499-0029 story about the OSU loss in the Cotton The site features a user forum, postal you can purchase NNA merchandise such Bowl: ROTTEN COTTON. resources, membership information and a as T-shirts and hats. COMPUTER ADVICE PS: Congratulations to John Wylie of the WILMA MELOT, Computer Consultant Oologah Lake Leader for his story, “Little TWO NEW WAYS TO goof, big damage” on a contract snafu [email protected] • (405) 499-0031 that could cost taxpayers $12.5 million. MAKE MONEY WITH METRO ONLINE It was picked up and reprinted in the POSTAL ADVICE newsletter of The International Society CALL LOUANN SORNSON AT 800.223.1600 FOR FURTHER INFO BILL NEWELL, Postal Consultant of Weekly Newspaper Editors. Also, WWW.METROCREATIVECONNECTION.COM [email protected] • (405) 499-0020 congratulations to me for my Oklahoma Publisher column on the Midwest City OPEN (DIGITAL CLIPPING) Sun, being “reprinted” on their website. In TIMELY ONLINE AD DESIGN TOOL LOUISE GARVIN, OPEN Manager addition, this marks a year of this column FEATURES MICROSITES METRO [email protected] • (405) 499-0032 using OPEN (Oklahoma Press Electronic READY-TO- INTERACTIVE News – for more information okpress.com/ DEPLOY-AND- AD DESIGNER GENERAL INQUIRIES open), and although I miss the newsprint, SELL THEMED (MiAD) (405) 499-0020 • Fax (405) 499-0048 this has become much better in covering SITES the press. Toll-Free in Oklahoma: 1-888-815-2672 12 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, January 2010

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2009 CONTEST WINNERS November Column: November Editorial: BARB WALTER WAYNE TROTTER The Hennessey Clipper The Countywide & Sun December Column: December Editorial: JEFF MULLIN DAVID GERARD Enid News & Eagle Muskogee Phoenix

DECEMBER 2009 COLUMN WINNER JEFF MULLIN, ENID NEWS & EAGLE Christmas is all about memories Christmas is all about memories. around the kitchen preparing the annual holiday brunch, as While we’re living through it, Christmas is a blur of shop- I lounged in a recliner in the other room. No one else was ping, cooking, wrapping, eating, holiday programs and parties, around, and the rest of the family had yet to arrive. All at once wrapped around more mundane chores like work or school. a single shot rang out. I jumped from the chair and ran to the But viewed through the filter of time, Christmas is magical, kitchen, fearing the worst. I stopped short when I spotted the or, at least, memorable. carnage — not blood, but egg casserole splattered all over the My own Christmas memories are largely pleasant, warm floor. and filled with images of family, food and fun. There had been no gunplay. The noise instead was the Enter and Win a But then there are the special Christmases, the ones that stand out clearly from the rest. Like last Christmas, for sound of a tempered glass container containing said egg cas- instance, the year of the assassination attempt. But more about serole exploding. The container had been sitting on top of the $100 Check from ONG! that later. stove to keep it warm. The blast spread casserole and glass Then there was the Christmas of the bird. My father-in-law fragments throughout the room. Fortunately my sister-in-law had made an offhand remark in the course of that long ago was across the room at the time, or she could have been badly year about how it might be nice to have a pet bird, with no real injured. Thankfully the only casualty was the centerpiece of the 1. Each month, send a tear sheet or photocopy of your best thought of ever getting one. morning’s repast, but rest assured no one went hungry. column and/or editorial to ONG Contest, c/o OPA, 3601 But his children and grandchildren latched onto it, setting in Not all Christmas memories are funny, exciting or even motion an elaborate hoax. marginally pleasant. Some are, at best, grim. N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499. By the time the family gathered under the tree on Christmas A fellow I know spent part of his childhood in Wichita, morning, the plot was in full flight, so to speak. One by one 2. Include the author’s name, name of publication, date of living in a home that could only generously be described as he opened his presents, consisting of a bag of bird seed and publication and category entered (column or editorial). dysfunctional. Both his parents were alcoholics, and seemed to other items any new bird owner would need. With every gift he opened he got more and more flustered, despite his attempts to care more for the bottle than making any Christmas prepara- 3. Only ONE editorial and/or ONE column per writer per keep smiling through his discomfiture. tions for their children. month will be accepted. Occasionally there came the sound of a bird chirping some- One Christmas Eve there was no sign of the holiday in 4. All entries for the previous month must be at the OPA where in the room. It was coming from a tree ornament from the family’s home, so my friend and his brother went out and which bird songs emanated when its electric cord was plugged found a small evergreen tree, which they cut down and dragged office by the 15th of the current month. into the wall socket. One family member sitting near the tree home. 5. Winning entries will be reproduced on the OPA website would surreptitiously plug the ornament in for a few seconds, They put up the tree and decorated it with makeshift gar- at www.OkPress.com. then unplug it, leaving my father-in-law craning his neck to lands consisting of popcorn and string. discover the source of the sound. There were no presents under the tree, nor would there be. Finally it was time for the last gift, which no amount of gift That Christmas Eve both parents got roaring drunk and pro- Entries must have been previously published. wrap could disguise. It was, clearly, a bird cage. ceeded to beat each other bloody, while the children cowered Contest open to all OPA member newspapers. My father-in-law clearly was wary as he carefully peeled the paper off the cage. in fear. All at once a broad smile split his face. There was a bird That was the last night the family ever spent together. Although Oklahoma Natural Gas Company selects in the cage, all right, a stuffed toy one. The room bubbled with When your family gathers to make Christmas memories representative contest winners’ work for use in this monthly laughter as the prank was revealed, and his real Christmas today, take a moment to offer a prayer for those whose memo- ad, the views expressed in winning columns and editorials presents were brought from another room. ries will not be good ones. are those of the writers and don’t necessarily reflect the Last Christmas morning my sister-in-law was bustling Merry Christmas, and watch for flying egg casserole. Company’s opinions.

Thank you for continued support of “Share The Warmth” Read the Winning Columns and Editorials on the OPA website: www.OkPress.com (Under Contests)