Official Publication of the Oklahoma Press Association Vol. 82, No. 11 • 20 Pages • November 2011

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THIS MONTH: OKLAHOMA SHAKEN BY EARTHQUAKE Add earthquakes to the a lot of rumbling and rat- VISUAL list of natural disasters that tling, almost like when the JOURNALISM: have befallen Oklahoma press fires up and starts Dr. Terry Clark this year. running at full capacity, says “It ain’t Although this isn’t the Allen said. photojournalism first time Oklahoma was The News & Eagle ran a without words shaken, the 5.6 magnitude few minutes late that night and pictures.” Check out his earthquake on Nov. 5, to include the updated guideline to writing cutlines. 2011, has been recorded as earthquake story. PAGE 7 the largest in the history of “We had a few calls that the state. evening from people ask- Geologists now believe ing about the earthquake,” OPA PAST PRESIDENTS: a magnitude 4.7 earthquake Allen said. “It seemed as It’s time to catch up with earlier Saturday morning though it was difficult to this prestigious group and was a foreshock to the big- get a cell phone connection find out what they’ve been ger one that followed that for up to 10 minutes after up to this past year. night. Several aftershocks the earthquake.” PAGE 12 have been recorded since The Alva Review-Cou- then, some as big as mag- rier had just begun its press SCOUTING REPORT: OPA nitude 4.0. run when the quake hit, President Rusty Ferguson When the ground A toppled chimney in Meeker is just some of the damage seen from last week’s quakes. said Editor Marione Mar- is back on the road visiting stopped shaking, Okla- tin. “The noise and slight homa newspapers went to vibration from the press newspapers. Read about by park covering Occupy for about a minute. The was an index item that work doing what they do completely masked the his latest travels… Tulsa activists, returned to headline said, ‘Shaky Win changed because of the best – getting reader reac- effect (of the quake),” she PAGE 14 the newsroom and started for Cowboys,’ which per- swap.” tion, providing in-depth said. working on quake cover- fectly described the 52-45 As luck would have information and answering Although the earth- age for a hot fly edition. score and the tremor.” it, the presses stopped for questions. quake was far enough away (A hot fly is the term used News Editor Mike some kind of mechanical from Alva that there was no at the World for when new Strain called in and said he problem after all the hot fly DEADLINE COVERAGE damage, “it was a big topic versions of pages are sent could access the World’s pages had been set. Debbie Jackson, Tulsa of conversation Sunday to the pressroom after the website from home and “I called the pressroom World Sunday editor, was at church,” said Martin. in the newsroom with about press run has started.) would update it with infor- and told them not to start 18-20 co-workers trying to A few minutes later, mation he was getting from again until they got the hot ST. GREGORY’S DAMAGED the U.S. Geological Survey get the Sunday paper out Jackson received a call fly pages,” said Jackson. Most state newspapers website. when the quake struck at from World reporter Shan- The presses started weren’t on deadline when Strain and Jackson dis- 10:53 p.m. on Nov. 5. non Muchmore, who vol- again at about 1:15 a.m. the quake hit, but many felt cussed the print edition and The newsroom, located unteered to come in and and the version with the the tremors. how they could update an on the fifth floor of a nine- help. earthquake on page A1 Gloria Trotter, co-pub- earlier quake story, which story building, shook and “Reporters in Stillwa- made it on to approximate- lisher of The Countywide was on the Local cover, rumbled for about 20 sec- ter were just starting to ly 100,000 papers. & Sun in Tecumseh, said and move it out front. onds, Jackson said. send in their copy from the The newsroom at the she felt both quakes, but “In all,” said Jackson, The staff immediately OSU-K-State game,” said Enid News & Eagle strong- the second one really got “we had to hot fly five went to work covering Jackson. “Sportswriter Bill ly felt the earthquake, said her attention. news pages: A1 and jump, the breaking news event. Haisten included the quake Managing Editor Cindy “I had just climbed into the Local cover and jump, Amanda Bland, a World in his game story, reporting Allen. bed when the two cats along with A2 where there The newsroom reported reporter who was at a near- that the pressbox swayed Continued on Page 4 2 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011 grasp and guiding them out from beneath the hovering clouds of gloom and doom. He sees times like these as an opportunity for newspapers to be a leading force in the recovery efforts of local economies. I OPA CALENDAR appreciated his admonition. Consider what you can do to help a OF EVENTS OPATIM PRESIDENT’S COLUMN struggling business. Creative, out-of-the- BY RUSTY FERGUSON, PUBLISHER OF THE CLEVELAND AMERICAN box thinking and some flexibility in the rate card could go a long way in helping GAME During a recent trip to Norman to visit allow newspapers to partner with them in local business, promoting good will, and our children, Deana and I were reminded order to help build their businesses, and in establishing positive, long-lasting relation- of the key role newspaper professionals turn, build a strong community. ships. PLAN play in supporting their home team. Three words — “shop at home” — have ■ ■ ■ Complete Listing of Events at We had stopped at a local hardware long been a rally cry promoted by news- store to pick up some needed items for papers. I’m a firm believer in shopping at During this time of Thanksgiving, I www.OkPress.com the twins’ dorm room, when we met The home first, and encourage all newspapers trust we will all be counting our blessings. Norman Transcript general manager Andy to continue to tackle this subject. As newspaper professionals I know we’re especially thankful for the freedom we MON., DEC. 5, TULSA, OK Rieger in the paint aisle. Recognizing one ■ ■ ■ MON., DEC. 12, LAWTON, OK another we stopped for a brief hello, and have as citizens of this great country to let his immediate reaction was to thank us for Oklahoma Press Association hosted the our voices be heard. OPEN MEETING/ shopping in Norman and supporting the annual Past Presidents Dinner on Nov. 3 We are blessed to be able to use our OPEN RECORDS ACT local economy. I assured him I was happy at the Oklahoma City National Memorial voices to inform, to teach, to explain, to SEMINARS to be doing so and quipped that my pur- Center for Education and Outreach. This entertain, to recap, to surprise, to stir emo- Attorney General Scott Pruitt, the chase of a few shelf brackets was nothing event allows past “team captains” of OPA tion, to build excitement, to promote, to Oklahoma Press Association and compared to what I have been depositing to share memories of days gone by. This cheer, to convince, to assert, to lead, to Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation invite in his local economy for years now in year was no exception with tales ranging get others to stop and think, and to make you to attend these seminars designed from humorous to heartfelt. a difference. to deal directly with your questions order to have a daughter graduate from the and concerns about Oklahoma’s Open University of Oklahoma and three sons Former OPA executive vice president In addition, we’re finding that we can be grateful that we have even more ave- Meeting and Records Acts. Oklahoma currently enrolled as Sooners. Ben Blackstock was as sharp as ever First Attorney General Rob Hudson and I smiled as we were leaving the store and challenged publishers of today to get nues than the printed page to share our voice as we embrace the electronic world Communications Director Diane Clay and asked Deana, “How many people from a bit uncomfortable. With, perhaps, too will present these seminars,which are of web pages, digital subscriptions and the other professions would even ever think to many of us allowing our administrative free and open to the public. For more thank us for shopping in their hometown?” chores to keep us bogged down behind our various forms of social media. information visit okpress.com/events- The truth of the matter is that newspaper desks, Mr. Blackstock suggested we get May we always strive to use our voice calendar. people have a keen awareness of how a out from the comfort of our offices and wisely and for the good. dollar spent at a local register turns over into the front doors of local businesses. ■ ■ ■ JAN. 23, 2012 During this uncertain economy, he said DEADLINE FOR ANNUAL several times in order to help a community THE POINT AFTER and its residents. And, of course, our hope those business owners are as nervous as CONTEST ENTRIES anyone else about profit/loss statements or Not what we say about our blessings, Contest entries must be postmarked by is not just that a strong business sector will but how we use them, is the true measure lead to a strong advertising base for our even being able to pay the electric bill and Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, for the Better of our thanksgiving. ~ W.T. Purkiser newspapers, but that business owners will that newspapers should be out there not Newspaper Contest, Website Contest, just holding their hands, but taking a firm Print Quality Contest and the Outdoor Writer of the Year Award. For more information, visit www.okpress.com/ Newspaper advocates stress importance of printed notices awards At an interim study before the House tices.com where actual newspaper pages “I guarantee you they do in Okfuskee FEB. 9, 2012, Oklahoma City, OK General Government Committee, Okla- that contain public notices are digitzed and County, word for word, and will show up OPA LEGISLATIVE DAY homa Press Association Executive Vice word-searchable, said Thomas. at the next county commissioner meeting AT STATE CAPITOL President Mark Thomas defended publica- The rate newspapers may charge to pub- if they disagree,” said Thompson. OPA members are encouraged to meet tion of legal notices in newspapers. lish legal notices is a fixed rate approved Thompson said people in his mostly at the State Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 9, A proposal intended to save counties by the Legislature. The last increase rural area don’t primarily use the computer 2012, to discuss issues with statewide and cities money would result in less occurred in 2005. to search for local information. elected officials and House and Senate members. Members will discuss proposed information being provided to the public, Oklahoma County District 3 Commis- Rep. Randy Grau, who conducted the legislation and issues of concern to every Thomas said. sioner Ray Vaughn said county and city interim study on the issue, said he is still Oklahoma newspaper. Check okpress. It’s best when legal notices are pub- governments are facing tough times and gathering information. com/legislative-meeting-at-state-capitol for lished by an entity outside of government, that the requirement for them to publish Mary Mélon, president and publisher of updates. said Thomas. In addition, newspapers are certain legal notices should be modified. the Journal Record in Oklahoma City, said better suited to archive notices so people Vaughn said he doubts that newspaper the printed piece is critical. For more information on upcoming events, visit the OPA website at www.OkPress.com or can retrieve them years later and can verify readers go through every legal advertise- “You know you can’t change something contact Member Services Director Lisa Potts at their authenticity. ment in the paper. when it’s in print. Things can be changed (405) 499-0026, 1-888-815-2672 Newspapers in the state voluntarily Roger Thompson, publisher of the Oke- online,” said Mélon. or e-mail [email protected]. have created a free website at oklahomano- mah News Leader, disagreed. 3 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011 Supreme Court considers restricting court records Before making a decision to ban basic In a letter to the court, Freedom of public’s and the news media’s access to personal information from public court Information Inc. wrote, “The organization important information flies in the face of records, the Oklahoma Supreme Court believes the court’s proposed rules are that transparency,” the editorial stated. asked for comments from the media, coun- over broad and would negatively impact “The more information the public has, ISSN 1526-811X ty judges, prosecutors, the state attorneys’ basic information that every citizen of the the better. Responsible news organiza- Official Publication of the association and others. state should be able to access easily. tions know when not to step over the line. Many media organizations and others “It is in the best interest of the public But there must be a way to differentiate OKLAHOMA PRESS have weighed in on the proposal, which to have as much information available as between people involved in court matters ASSOCIATION would keep complete personal identifying possible. Erasing this information as pro- and others who might share the same first information and the names of children out posed by the court would be a step back, and last names. 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd. of court records “unless otherwise ordered not a step forward.” “We hope the court comes down on the Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499 or as otherwise provided by law.” In an editorial on Nov. 1, The Norman side of transparency.” (405) 499-0020 • Fax (405) 499-0048 The restriction would apply to records Transcript penned, “We hope the justices The issue was taken up because the Toll-Free in Oklahoma: (888) 815-2672 in civil, criminal, divorce and all other err on the side of more, not less, transpar- court is moving toward having more and Web: www.OkPress.com types of cases. ency here. Removing such information more state court filings accessible online. E-mail: [email protected] The proposal would limit an individu- hampers citizens in their right to know Mike Evans, administrative director Facebook: facebook.com/okpress al’s birth date in most records to just the what their government is doing and to of courts, said the justices would review PUBLISHER year, home addresses to the city and state, whom.” all comments before deciding on the rule Mark Thomas and only the initials of a child. Social The Tulsa World also urged openness in changes. [email protected] Security numbers, financial account num- an editorial published Sept. 26. No date has been set for deciding on the EDITOR bers, driver’s license numbers and other “This is more than chipping away at proposed rules. Jennifer Gilliland similar numbers would be limited to the the public’s right to know. Transparency [email protected] last four digits. in government is necessary. To limit the OPA OFFICERS Rusty Ferguson, President Two editorial cartoonists inducted into OK Cartoonists Hall of Fame The Cleveland American Jeff Shultz, Vice President Editorial cartoonists Chan Lowe and from 1978-1984. After the Oklahoma City Foundation’s Barryman Award. He was a The Garvin County News Star the late Doug Marlette were inducted into Times, Lowe became editorial cartoonist Pulitzer Prize Finalist in 1990. Gracie Montgomery, Treasurer the Oklahoma Cartoonists Hall of Fame for the South Florida Sun Sentinel and Marlette was editorial cartoonist at the The Purcell Register on Oct. 22. is now the senior member of the paper’s Tulsa World from February 2006 until They were inducted at the sixth birth- editorial board. his death in a car crash in July 2007. He Mark Thomas, Executive Vice President day celebration of the Toy & Action Figure Lowe’s cartoons are internationally also wrote the comic strip “Kudzu” for 26 Oklahoma City Museum in Pauls Valley, which houses the syndicated by Tribune Media Services years. Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection. and his cartoons often appear in publica- Marlette won the Pulitzer prize in 1988 OPA DIRECTORS Lowe began his career at the Shawnee tions such as the New York Times and while working for the Atlanta Journal- Rod Serfoss, Past President News-Star in 1975 and was an edito- the Chicago Tribune. He has won numer- Constitution. Clinton Daily News rial cartoonist at the Oklahoma City Times ous awards, including the National Press Jeff Mayo, Sequoyah County Times Jeff Funk, Enid News & Eagle Robby Trammell, The Oklahoman Enid News honors Dayva Spitzer, Sayre Record & Beckham County Democrat local volunteers Brian Blansett, Shawnee News-Star For the ninth year, the Enid News & Mike Brown, Neighbor Newspapers Eagle will honor a local volunteer who goes above and beyond the call of service with its Pillar of the Plains Award. SUBSCRIBE TO Past recipients of the award, which was THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER established in 2002, include April Danahy, $12 PER YEAR Becky Cummings, Dr. Charles Ogle, Janet THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER (USPS 406-920) Cordell, Bert Mackie, Lew Ward, Lee is published monthly for $12 per year by the Thompson and Dr. Jerry Blankenship. Oklahoma Press Association, 3601 N. Lincoln “Enid and northwest Oklahoma are Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499. Periodicals home to some very generous and giving postage paid at Oklahoma City, OK. people,” said Cindy Allen, managing edi- POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE tor of the News & Eagle. “This award rec- OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., ognizes local people who have given their Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499. talents back to the community.” 4 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011

“People can see tornadoes coming, but finally getting calmer and then that night tained damage. Estimates of damages to earthquakes are sneaky,” he said. “And, at 8:47 p.m. a 4.7 quake struck with homes in the area ranged from $10,000 to EARTHQUAKE when they are going on, you don’t know such speed and force, I really can’t even $60,000, she said. Continued form Page 1 how long it will last or how severe it will describe the feeling other than shear ter- The epicenter of the 5.6 earthquake was be. The epicenter was about 15 miles ror for a few minutes… it was like a semi located about 7 miles northwest of Prague. jumped straight up and lit out for parts northeast of town, so we got a pretty good truck had just hit the house.” unknown,” Trotter said. “The bed began to A RESTLESS NIGHT FOR MANY ride out of it.” Jenkin’s home and the Meeker News’ roll like it was surfing.” John D. and Gracie Montgomery, office were spared any significant damage, Damage was light in Tecumseh, but MEEKER, PRAGUE SUSTAIN DAMAGE publishers of The Purcell Register, were however many residents in the town and there was major damage at St. Gregory’s Meeker and Prague were two towns watching a late newscast when the quake surrounding area are dealing with prob- University in Shawnee, Trotter said. especially hard hit by the earthquakes. hit. lems beyond just home damage. “One spire atop Benedictine Hall, Both are located close the epicenter of the “Our fireplace utensils started swaying Some residents “are in serious shape the almost 100-year-old main build- seismic activity. and we looked out to see our pool sloshing because … hardly anyone had earthquake ing, crashed down and three others were “It has been an emotional roller coaster around,” said John D., who added there insurance,” Jenkins said. severely damaged,” she said. “It will take for most people in and around the Meeker was a large earthquake east of Noble in Like many publishers, Jenkins turned a long time to replace them. The building area,” said Carol Jenkins, publisher of The October 2010 that the Register covered to her paper’s Facebook page to help put is an icon in this county and for Catholics Meeker News. extensively for a couple of weeks. out and gather information about the earth- across the state, and is one of our most While many people were awakened by Stu Phillips, publisher of The Seminole quakes, such as the school closings. prominent landmarks.” the jolt of the 4.7 quake very early on Sat- Producer, said the quake seemed to rise Numerous homes and structures were Trotter spent most of Sunday afternoon urday morning, “none of us were prepared in intensity for about 15 seconds before also damaged in Prague, reported Sha- taking pictures at St. Gregory’s for the for the one that night. That was the 5.6,” starting to decrease. “With the doors to ron Maggard, co-publisher of the Prague Countywide & Sun’s website and next Jenkins said. our house open on a quiet night, you Times-Herald. week’s issue. Reports of damage began to emerge could hear it before you felt it,” he said. The Prague Police Department phone Brian Blansett, publisher of the Shaw- soon after the large quake hit. “I thought it was distant thunder until the lines were ringing off the walls and the nee News-Star, said the quake came at the “People lost electricity for three hours shaking started.” dispatcher and officer couldn’t keep up worst possible time for them, “minutes in some areas, “Jenkins said. “Water lines The Producer covered the Seminole with the number of calls,” Maggard wrote before our deadline for the Sunday paper.” broke in some homes and brick and rock County earthquake in December 2009, in a Nov. 10 article in the weekly news- “We don’t publish Mondays, so we had exteriors came tumbling down and many “right before a swarm of earthquakes that paper. “Many who called said they were a two-day blank spot,” he said. chimneys collapsed.” have plagued eastern Oklahoma and Lin- frightened.” In addition to the damage at St. Greg- Meeker schools were closed Tuesday to coln Counties since then.” Highway 62 west of Prague buckled in ory’s University and some buildings in check for possible structural damage. “We’re glad they call this new fault line two areas. town, Blansett said the community was “By Monday things seemed to be calm- the ‘Seminole Uplift.’ It’s always better to Maggard interviewed several Prague affected psychologically. ing down,” said Jenkins. “Everyone was be on top of things,” said Phillips. residents whose homes or businesses sus-

Sports: OSU to take on Local: 8-year-old finishes stumbling Texas Tech. B1 15k Tulsa Run in error. A9

www.tulsaworld.com final home edition TUESDAY $1.00 November 8, 2011

LOCALLY OWNED SINCE 1905 Council EARTHQUAKES IN OKLAHOMA: WHATWHAT’SS GOGOINGING OON?N? elections are today in Tulsa

• District races and City All shook up Charter amendments will be on the ballots. BY BRIAN BARBER • Thhe one thing geolilogists agree on is World Staff Writer that earthquakes are unpredictable. It’s time to vote, Tulsans. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to cast ballots in seven City Council district races and on BY WAYNE GREENE ₪ WORLD SENIOR WRITER four proposed City Charter amend- ments that would make changes to the local government. The third earthquake to rock Tulsa in three days proves Voters must present a valid photo one thing about geology: You can’t predict it. identification card with an expiration The U.S. Geological Survey said the 8:46 p.m. Monday date, such as a driver’s license or a earthquake that was felt in Tulsa had a magnitude of 4.7 passport, or a voter registration card. and an epicenter five miles northwest of Prague, very A state ID issued to a person older close to the spot where the first quake in the spate struck than 65 also may be used, even though early Saturday. it lacks an expiration date. Oklahoma Geological Survey instruments put Monday Officials expect a light voter turn- night’s quake at a 5.0 magnitude. out of 7 percent to 19 percent of regg- Monday night’s shaking came just as geoscientists istered voters participating. thought Oklahoma might be ready to settle down. On the four proposed charter Before the latest temblor, State Geologist Randy Keller amendments, voters who want no said history teaches that as aftershocks get further apart changes to the city’s government — as they were earlier Monday — they fade away. should vote against them. Voters who Except, he added, earthquakes simply aren’t predict- want changes should vote for one or able in human time. more of the amendments. Austin Holland, a research seismologist for the Okla- Proposition 1: A majority of city coun- homa Geological Survey, says more shaking along the Wilzetta Fault — which stretches from near Tecumseh to SEE VOTE A4 Creek County — is possible anytime, and Oklahoma has many other faults. The immediate cause of the earthquakes is one of their great uncertainties, said University of Tulsa Geosciences Read more about today’s city elections: tulsaworld.com/ cityelections Active Earth: Understanding Movement of fault An earthquake The rupture of stressed rock results in an ea late Saturday of energy passes through the Earth night caused extensive damage STRONGEST to the two-story OKL RECORDED ranch-style home EARTHQUAKES IN Area Epicenter shown of Joseph and OKLAHOMA: MaryMaryryy Reneau near POLL Nov. 5, 2011: Prague, below the commommunity of SparS arkssi in Lincoln Couno ty. Contents Police/firefighterli /fi fi ht campaigningi i insiden theheeir home Should police and firefighters be were dammamaged allowed to engage in campaign earlierr Saatturday 44 activities such as going door to door whenhe an eearth- or making phone calls? quaake strruuck the samem areaa. The Yes ...... 47% Reneausn have No ...... 50% lived in thheirh house DK/Refused ...... 3% 40 Earthquake focus for 252 years. Should they be allowed to wear 40 JIM BECKELL/ clothing and signage that identifies The Oklahoman them as police officers or firefighters while campaigning in public? (Asked only of those who said yes on first question) Yes ...... 55% No ...... 44% DK/Refused ...... 1% (Numbers have been rounded) Campaigning issue splits likely voters Tulsans are divided on whether firefighters and police should be able to Delaware DA urges inmate release campaign in elections.

• Attorneys for the woman, one of 15 who settled, DISTRICT emotional the woman was while BY RANDY KREHBIEL ATTORNEY she was being placed in a holding World Staff Writer sent county employees’ reports about her jailing. cell — the same cell where she said Eddie Wyant: The she had been raped by Bill Sanders Tulsans are split almost evenly BY SHEILA STOGSDILL suit that they were raped or sexu- statements reflect Sr., Wyant said. over whether firefighters and other the woman’s at- World Correspondent ally assaulted by law enforcement Had his officeb een provided city employees should have been al- officers inh t e county jail or in dep- titude when being with these statements reflecting lowed to actively campaign in this JAY — District Attorney Eddie uties’ patrol cars. put in the cell the reason she struck the deputy, year’s city elections. Wyant’s office will take gle al action The county commissioners where she said his office would not have used the Mayor Dewey Bartlett issued an to have a former Delaware County voted last week to settle the civil she was raped. incident to revoke her probation executive order this year banning inmate released from custody after rights lawsuit for $13.5 million. on previous assault charges, nor such activities, reversing the policy the prosecutor received new evi- Wyant said that on Sunday he administrator Lonnie Hunter, would he have pursued new felony of his predecessor Kathy Taylor. dence in the case, he said Monday. received from the women’s at- Todd Melton and Janie McCarney, assault charges, Wyant said. An even 50 percent of the 508 The inmate, who is being held torneys three written statements all employees of the Sheriff’s fOf- likely voters surveyed by SoonerPoll. at the Hillside Community Cor- dated June 25, 2009, surrounding fice, he said. The inmate’s circumstances com from Oct. 27-Nov. 1 agreed with rectional Center in Oklahoma City, a May 28, 2009, incident in which “This is the first time the District Bartlett. Forty-seven percent said is one of 15 former female inmates one of the women struck a deputy, Attorney’s Officeh as ever been The woman was arrested on May the police and firefighters should be who have settled a suit against the drawing blood, when she was be- provided or made aware of these 28, 2009, on outstanding warrants allowed to campaign, with a majority Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. ing placed in a holding cell. reports,” Wyant said. The women alleged in the law- The statements were from jail The statements reflect how SEE CASE A7 SEE POLL A7

Today High 70, Low 38 Inside today’s Tulsa World Follow the World online Daily - $1.00 Showers, storms. More weather on E6 Action Line...... E3 Comics ...... D4,5 Energy...... E4 Obituaries..... A10 • Breaking news at tulsaworld.com Ask Amy...... D4 Crosswords ....D4 Horoscope.....C10 Sports TV ...... B2 • facebook.com/tulsaworld Get more weather coverage and check out             our weather blog at tulsaworld.com/weather Bridge...... D4 Editorial...... A13 Movies...... D3 Stocks...... E5 • twitter.com/tulsaworld 5 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011

In Cordell, the noise woke Zonelle ing news online even before the metro Rainbolt, editor of the Cordell Beacon, and papers and metro TV stations.” then her bed began to move. By Monday, Some damage occurred in Oologah, but Health insurance trust to terminate Nov. 30 Rainbolt was interviewing people in the it was minor, said John M. Wylie II, pub- The OPA-Member Employees Benefit used for medical care or treatment to community, asking where they were when lisher of the Oologah Lake Leader. Trust will terminate on Nov. 30, 2011. inform them to submit claims for pay- the earthquake hit and what they thought “We did have a lot of traffic on our In a letter dated Oct. 14, 2011, OPA- ment immediately. it was. Facebook page, which is how we handle MEBT Chairman Sean Dyer informed “All claims must be submitted for pay- “On our Facebook page, I wrote about initial coverage of breaking news these participants and members of the Trust ment no later than Feb. 28, 2012,” Dyer the earthquake and requested posts from days (then link to our website),” said that medical/health benefits will cease to wrote. “Claims incurred up to 11/30/2011 people who wouldn’t mind sharing their Wylie. be provided on Nov. 30. which are not received by Feb. 28, 2012, thoughts/actions about it,” she said. “The The letter instructed participants to will not be paid.” plan is to have a front page story with obtain other coverage as soon as pos- All claims incurred by any covered photos of the people I interviewed and sible. person must be submitted to GreenStar at information about the earthquake.” “Because the Trust is terminating in the address on the participant’s ID card. Carolyn McBride, co-publisher of the its entirely, there is no continuation cov- Participants in the OPA-MEBT that Anadarko Daily News, said they had a erage offered by the Trust to anyone,” have questions should contact Jerry good shake. Dyer wrote. Sokolosky at (405) 427-6869 or email “Dishes rattled in cabinets at our house The letter further instructed mem- [email protected]. but no damage was reported,” she said. bers of the Trust to contact all providers David Reid, publisher of the Cushing Citizen, was sleeping in an easy chair in his living room when the quake hit. “I leaped out of sleep,” he said. “I thought I was going to find a one-ton Ford trying to climb the stairs into our home.” DEATHS Cheryl Franklin, publisher of the Grove MARGARET VIOLA FUQUA, McShane was born in Trenton, N.J. Sun, Miami News-Record and Delaware who worked at She earned a bachelor’s degree in journal- County Journal, felt the quake in Missouri, the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise as ism from Central State University, now five miles east of the Oklahoma state line. a copy editor, died Sept. 30, 2011, in the the University of Central Oklahoma, in “We had already gone to press when Barnsdall Nursing Home. She was 87. Edmond. the quake hit, but our website was very Mrs. Fuqua was born Aug. 2, 1924, Her career at The Oklahoman began in active,” she said. “We were posting break- at Independence, Kansas. She graduated from Havana (Kan.) High School in 1942. 1977 when she took a position in the news- On Sept. 13, 1947, she married Alvie Ray- paper’s classified advertising department. mond Fuqua. She later became a writer for the Farmer- She was employed as a copy editor at Stockman, an agricultural publication pro- the Examiner-Enterprise and also taught duced by The Oklahoma Publishing Co. at school in rural Havana, Kan. that time. Survivors include her son, Carl R. When she retired from The Oklaho- Fuqua and his wife Ruth Ann of Pawhus- man in 1998, McShane had held several ka; two brothers, Lynell Clubine of Candy, positions including features writer in the Kansas, and Frank Clubine of Iola, Kan- women’s department, which later evolved sas; one sister, Betty Fuqua of Garland, into the features department. Texas; and one granddaughter. Known to her friends and colleagues as ‘Bunny,’ McShane also wrote numerous book and music reviews. BERNICE McSHANE, longtime staff writer She is survived by her husband, Harold for The Oklahoman, died Nov. 8, 2011, in R. Soles; four children, five grandchildren Edmond. She was 84. and five great-grandchildren.

LEGAL ADVICE 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: OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION’S LEGAL SERVICES PLAN 1-888-815-2672 or 405-499-0020 6 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011 PLAYER PROFILE Name: JOE HANCOCK, HOBART DEMOCRAT-CHIEF Newspaper(s): HOBART DEMOCRAT-CHIEF Educational Background: University of Oklahoma, BA Journalism Spouse/Children: Wife: Neville L. Hancock. Children: Mollie Hancock Nagel, Todd R. Hancock, and Walter J. Hancock, Jr.

Each month, The Publisher will profile a newspaper executive in this space. Learn more about your peers from all corners of the state. To request the questionnaire for your Player Profile, email [email protected].

a newspaper and keeping readers Q: How does your newspaper play an history of the Kiowa county schools and informed about their city government. important part in the community? landmarks, and see the nearby Quartz Mountains and Quartz Mountain state A: We cover most meetings and report the Q: What about newspaper publishing gets park and the beautiful Quartz Mountain goings on of public bodies. Our readers you out of bed in the morning? resort. know they can find out what elected Q: What’s something most people don’t A: The excitement of knowing what’s going officials are doing with the public funds.nds. know about you? on in community and being able to We are the vehicle for community A: When you are born and raised in a influence activities. organizations and clubs to get their community and lived there for 82 years messages to the people. except for a time in the University and Q: What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve the Army, there’s not anything people overcome in your career? don’t know about you. Q: What type of annual events is your A: Making the switch from a daily to a newspaper involved in? weekly publication. Q: What’s the best part of your job? A: We take part in every local activity fromrom A: Something new and different every day. Christmas events to Memorial Day and Q: What are you most proud of? Never boring. Fourth of July activities. A: That Neville and I were married 61 Q: What civic activities are you involved in? years on Sept. 1, 2011. That we appear Q: What challenges are facing your to accomplish our goals and earn the newspaper today and in the future?? A: Been member of Hobart Kiwanis club respect of the community. I retired after How to create enough economic since October 1953, almost 58 years. 30 years in the U. S. Army, including two A: activity to continue to publish a goodod years active duty and 28 years in the newspaper. And how to print a Q: Who’s had the biggest influence on your Reserve. career? newspaper that people want to read.d. My father, Ransom Hancock. A: Q: What are your hobbies? Q: What are some area attractions in Q: What would you describe as the three A: Don’t have any hobbies since my golfing your community visitors shouldn’t most important responsibilities of your buddies have died or moved to assisted miss? job? living facilities. A: People should see the Kiowa A: Making employees understand the County Museum and the Tommy significance of their jobs, demonstrating Franks Museum, tour the to the community the importance of courthouse square and stroll throughgh tthehe Journalism students to cover Oklahoma’s 45th Infantry Combat Brigade Students from journalism programs at homa Press Association member news- guardsmen and their families,” said OU will travel to Afghanistan in mid-Novem- the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma papers and on an OU Gaylord College journalism professor Mike Boettcher. ber to cover the 45th while it conducts State University and Cameron University of Journalism & Mass Communication Since July 29, 14 soldiers from the missions. are joining forces on a project to cover website, http://routes.ou.edu. 45th Infantry Combat Team have been In addition to Boettcher, project advis- the impact of the deployment to Afghani- Their reporting will culminate on Bed- killed in eastern Afghanistan. U.S. Sen. ers are John Schmeltzer, University of stan of the Thunderbirds, the Oklahoma lam Saturday, Dec. 3. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) has described the Oklahoma; Jack Hodgson and Barbara National Guard 45th Infantry Combat “We wanted to take a game that will death toll as “huge” and “tragic.” Allen, Oklahoma State University, and Brigade. divide the state and use it to focus Okla- Boettcher, one of the project’s advisers Chris Keller, Cameron University. The stories will be distributed to Okla- homa’s attention on the sacrifice of its and an ABC News war correspondent, 7 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011 Digital subscriptions for do-it-yourselfers Use the same PDF 4.0 setting and same An email push will require some experi- computer notes settings. mentation to see what your email and your plugged IN Now create a separate set of PDFs to subscribers’ emails can handle. However, from the road email with this setting. Most email clients email also gives you a chance to chat with by WILMA MELOT have file size limits, so try to stay under your customers and get some feedback. Packaging files 400MB if you want to send more than one Another option is a service on the Before the days of PDFs it was com- Print publications are looking at new page at a time. web at www.YouSendIt.com. This service mon practice to package files in Quark ways to sell digital subscriptions. Several Next, create a list of your digital sub- makes it possible to upload your entire and InDesign with supporting art and companies offer excellent services, but scribers’ emails with a comma between newspaper, control who receives it and font files. aren’t always cost effective for the pub- each email (e.g., wilmamelot@hotmail. receive verification that it was received. It seems to be a lost art form today. lisher who has only sold a few subscrip- com, [email protected], etc.). Make The Pro version is $4.17 per month and Many people don’t even know it’s pos- tions. the list a plain text document or .rtf. By will send a 2GB file or store folders and sible. If you have 50 or fewer digital subscrib- the way, if you don’t have a current list set the access for those folders. The limit In workflows without a server, every- ers, consider an email push. of your subscribers, contact Arcasearch at for the storage is 4GB, which should be one works off their own hard drive. It It all begins by learning how to make 1-800-846-9433 and ask them for your list. plenty for a week’s worth of small PDFs. can be quite a feat for the editor to find PDFs of your pages smaller. With smaller Open your email program and create a The Pro Plus package tracks everything for all the art links to make proper PDFs at pages, your email client will allow you to new, outgoing email. Put one email in the $12.50 a month and has unlimited storage. the end of the day. email several pages at once. ‘to’ line (maybe your own as a check) and The price level for business users is $14.99 This procedure could be implement- If you’re using Distiller to create PDFs, then look for BCC or blind carbon copy. a month. ed as a way to move the files to the edi- change the setting from ‘Press Quality’ to Copy and paste around 10 to 20 emails into Even newspapers with many pages tor’s hard drive. In InDesign go to File > ‘Smallest File Size.’ Then go to the Set- the BCC line. By using BCC, you protect would have enough space for uploads that Package. A window comes up showing tings menu and pull down to ‘Edit Adobe your subscribers’ privacy since no one is customers could retrieve. And you retain a options of what will be included. It dif- PDF Setting’. able to see the list of where your email is lot of control over the data. fers according to the version of the pro- In the ‘General’ tab look for compat- being sent. The YouSendit Express application gram so pay attention to where the file is ibility and choose Acrobat 4.0 so anyone Next, attach the small PDFs you created works with Macs and Windows computers going to be made on the hard drive and can read your PDF. Leave remaining set- and hit send. If you don’t receive an error and lets you drag and drop files to their give it a name. tings as is and click OK. A prompt to save message, the PDFs are probably small site for faster upload times. This program It’s possible to embed links in In- the setting will come up; choose a name enough to go through to your subscribers. works with most email including plug-ins Design, which means you don’t have and save. If your newspaper is more than 8 pages, for Yahoo and Outlook. to package the art files. But if you have The ‘reduce file size’ feature in newer attaching it to an email might not be pos- It’s easy to use and the support is well font problems, all fonts should go to the editions of Distiller also can be used to sible, unless you send it in sections. rated. editor’s computer with the page. downsize PDF files you already created. It’s easy to move small files with InDesign. Just embed the art and drag the file to the desktop to make a snip- Keep your Mac running safe with these disk utilities pet. This file can go as a unit to another page by dragging it over but it does not DiskWarrior has long been the standard reliably prevents pri- Click ‘Repair Disk Permissions.’ Disk move fonts. for keeping Mac computers running right. vate data from being Utility checks and repairs the file permis- In Quark go to Collect for Output and It recovers all of your files when the hard sent out without sions. If the computer is booted from a follow the same steps. drive crashes and will even fix the hard your knowledge. It compatible system disk it may be possible drive when disk utility can’t. can also detect net- to repair the drive. The $99 price tag might sound high, but work related activity MacKeeper, $38, performs many tasks Vent holes on iMacs DiskWarrior can even boot your computer. of viruses, trojans you could do yourself but bundles them This tip is for all of you with flat If your system disks for the computer are and other malware. into a neat package that is easy to use. I am panel iMacs. Make sure the vent at the missing, this may be your best chance to Little Snitch retails for $29.95 per com- often asked about this program and have top of the computer has enough air space get your drive back. It essentially recov- puter. It’s a download only program at never been able to give it my full endorse- around it to allow heat to escape. ers your crashing hard drive and reorders www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index. ment, but it does what it advertises. Don’t put anything over the vent hole the files on it. DiskWarrior is available at html. It has a free demo that can be restart- It will update programs for you, clean by taping something to the back of the www.alsoft.com/diskwarrior/. ed indefinitely every three hours. up unnecessary files, and provides virus computer. The circuit board of the com- A good tool for guarding a Mac com- Don’t forget to run Apple’s Disk Utility and spyware protection. MacKeeper offers puter can overheat and shut the machine puter from incoming threats is a utility every few months. Go to Applications > lots of features designed to get you to down. Putting iMacs under shelves can called Little Snitch. Little Snitch informs Utilities > Disk Utility. Then click the First spend more money with them, but it does do the same thing. If that is the only you whenever a program attempts to estab- Aid tab, which may already be checked. the basic job of keeping your computer arrangement available try putting a fan lish an outgoing Internet connection. You On the left side of the window, the drive clean and should be looked at as a tool in behind the computer. And if the vent can then choose to allow or deny this con- icon is displayed along with the names of the arsenal. Available at mackeeper.zeobit. gets full of dust, clean it out with a dust nection, or define a rule on how to handle your hard disk volumes and partitions. com/download. cloth. similar, future connection attempts. This Select your Mac OS X volume.

OPA COMPUTER CONSULTANT WILMA MELOT’S COLUMN BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE OKLAHOMA ADVERTISING NETWORK (OAN). FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE OAN PROGRAM, CONTACT OKLAHOMA PRESS SERVICE AT (405) 499-0020. 8 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011 Visual journalism requires pictures – and words sentence cutline is usually adequate – Clark’s Critique identifying people and action. BY TERRY CLARK, Journalism Professor, 10. If it’s a grip and grin, keep it simple: “John University of Central Oklahoma Smith presents a check for $100 to Sally [email protected] Smith.” 11. In photos whose only action is obvious “It ain’t photojournalism without words (shaking hands, receiving an award), if and pictures.”—Clark they accompany a story, name lines are all Teaching a photo essay/documentary that’s necessary. class again this fall has forced me to force 12. Spellcheck. students to be reporters as well as pho- tographers. Translation – that means they Your job as a photographer: (What can have to ask people their names, how to I do to assure that my photos are used as spell them, and figure out the who, what, much as possible, or how to win friends when, where, why and how. and influence editors). So while it’s on my mind, here’s a brief 1. Get all information (5Ws and H) yourself. checklist of cutline (caption) guidelines. 2. Get contact persons email, phones. NEGATIVES. Do not use these phrases, etc.: 3. Ask for correct spelling of names. 1. “Pictured (shown) above (here).” Not need- 4. Get addresses. ed. You wouldn’t write in a story, “In the My question to you: Do these cover story written here….” writing cutlines for the website? Any addi- 2. “From left to right.” “From left is sufficient.” tions needed? If identification is unnecessary, leave it out. I once saw a photo of a little boy feeding LOOKIN’EM OVER. Here may be a a squirrel, and the cutline said something first in Oklahoma. The Heavener Ledger like, “Johnny Smith, left….” reported on Tea Partiers confronting the Front pages full of Halloween coverage and the equally frightening drought. 3. Don’t describe what is obvious. The reader county commission. can see the woman smiling. The likely top story of this year and 4. Don’t mix tenses in one sentence: “John next will continue to be the drought. The Zane Thomas of the Wagoner Tribune Smith jumps his motorcycle, as he collided Mangum Star-News, “Dry weather con- explains changes in Medicare. Kim Mora- with a car yesterday.” tinues to keep choke hold on area,” with a va in the Shawnee News-Star reports on 5. Don’t assume anything. photo of the “duster” at Lubbock. Taloga losing drivers’ licenses for bus stop viola- Times-Advocate, the Gage Record and tions. The Newkirk Herald Journal cov- POSITIVES. Okarche Chieftain (“Winter outlook not ers the new law requiring voter ID. 1. All photos need cutlines. good for Oklahoma”) also carried stories Trends in your area – Meth is still a 2. Respect both the photo and the words. from the state climatologist. John Brock plague – The Mustang Times and Stigler 3. Study the photo. Is there some detail that of the Sapulpa Daily Herald wrote of the Country Star record its impact. a reader might not see, or something the drought impact on life and property. I saw lots of creative work on Hal- reader might not understand or misinter- How’s your hospital? Better check. loween for flags and the top of the pages. pret? Explain what is necessary. Doug Russell of the Stigler News-Sentinel How to cover Halloween – terrific photo 4. Use present tense describing action in the reported on bankruptcy and the Watonga by Becky Burch at the Bartlesville Exam- photo. “A policeman uses a broomstick to Republican asked: “Any major benefac- iner-Enterprise (see photo at right). Too ward off a rioter.” tors out there?” Head: “Council debates many others to count. Speaking of flags, 5. Use past tense in additional sentences to hospital’s uncertain future.” there are times to break the rules. Pink give additional details that don’t describe Newspapers are best at storytelling. type? Generally no, but yes in the case action in the photo. “That was just part of Ralph Shaefer at the Tulsa Daily Com- of the Sequoyah County Times’ flag for the wild action in Main Street.” merce & Legal News writes about “Law- breast cancer month. yer by day, comedian at night.” Lead: 6. Tell the reader what the photo is. Don’t tell HEAD‘EM UP AWARDS. First place, “There is nothing funny about Clint Par- Photo by Becky Burch, Bartlesville Examiner- what it seems to be or what is isn’t. Tahlequah Daily Press, on a Teddy Snell sons’ day job.” Enterprise 7. Make it fit the photo. If it’s a disaster photo, Karen Anson of the Wewoka Times story about the newly elected chief of the Cherokees: stick with the facts. For a feature photo, writes about twins reunited with their Third place, tie, Enid News & Eagle Hail to the Chief. more creative writing might be ok. dad, after decades. The Holdenville Tri- and Broken Arrow Ledger. Second place: Moore American on a 8. When writing for a “wild” photo (without a bune carries Johnny Wingo’s first per- Enid’s James Neal reported about music story by Michael Kinney and photo by story), answer all the basic questions just son account, “Sharecropper’s daughter.” in downtown Enid: Kyle Phillips about a student getting a as you would with a story. Include action in Lucinda Bray at the Pawhuska Journal- Business and the Beat. the story in the first sentence. Capital writes of a 95-year-old’s birthday. haircut like OU’s Kenny Stills: 9. If the photo accompanies the story, a one New laws your readers need to know? All the Buzz. Continued on Page 9 9 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011 Clark’s Critique Continued from Page 8 Smiths buy newspaper in Elgin His lead: “The use of music to drum up business is the major focus this week….” The Comanche Chronicle in Elgin is “It’s an honor to try to fill the shoes of Photographer G.B. Poindexter writes under new ownership. Mike and Kathy by striving and pursuing about a Broken Arrow business reopening Mike and Cathy Plumbtree recently the task of putting out a worthy paper,” after storm damage: sold the weekly newspaper to Randy and said Randy Smith. Back at it… from snow to go. Cheryl Smith. The Smiths intend to add a “drop box” Personal notes: Congratulations and Randy taught Ag in Fletcher public at the paper for readers to be able to con- good luck to Mr. and Mrs. Randy Smith, schools for 20 years before moving on to tact them when they are away from the new owners of the Comanche County a career at Bank of the Wichitas. Cheryl office. Chronicle. Oklahoma journalism lost a teaches at Sterling High School. The phone number, fax number and legend this month, with the death of Bob The Smiths said they have long thought email address for the paper are unchanged. Barry, Sr. I enjoyed Andy Rieger’s front about owning their own business. They The email address has changed to the- page column in The Norman Transcript. became familiar with the Plumbtrees over [email protected]. And I see a fitting tribute in the Waurika the years and learned the importance of the News-Democrat to a retiring coaching leg- Chronicle to the area. end in Jefferson County – Norman West. I first met Norman at the Duncan Banner years ago, and worked with him at Wauri- Herman Brown back in the movies ka. Finally, to quote the poet John Donne’s Herman Brown, editor of the Okmulgee be an issue of the Okmulgee Daily Times “No Man is an Island”: “Any man’s death Daily Times, is helping out another movie dated July 2, 2011. It will feature the front diminishes me.” So too for me, with news- producer filming in Oklahoma. page, sports page and an article about the papers. The death of the Eldorado Courier Director David Boyd is filming his film’s protagonist. and Granite Enterprise is a sad loss. movie “Home Run” in parts of Okmulgee Brown has helped print or designed and the surrounding area. The movie is a prop newspapers for more than 15 movies drama about a pro baseball player dealing throughout the years. with a substance abuse problem and rehab- He has had minor acting roles in sev- bing in his hometown of Okmulgee. eral Oklahoma based movies, including Brown will participate as an extra in “Elizabethtown.” He is currently acting in the film, and will also produce a prop his largest role to date in a film titled “La newspaper for use in the film. Brown has La Land,” which is being filmed in the created several prop newspapers for mov- Oklahoma City area. Brown is playing the ies throughout the years. editor of a small publishing company. Lots of new flags cropping up: The prop paper for “Home Run” will Nowata Star hires new advertising rep Nowata native Liz Watts has joined the before transferring to the University of staff of the Nowata Star as an advertising Tulsa to major in psychology. sales representative. Watts studied journal- “I really like the public. I thought this ism at Friends University in Wichita, Kan., would be perfect,” Watts said.

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Tulsa Warrrior Dash contestants braved more than 10 obstacles along Turkey Mountain’s trails, including two rows of fire they had to jump. Thousands competed in several heats. Photo by RACHEL ANNE SEYMOUR, The Bigheart Times, September 29, 2011 12 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011 April. He said it was successful thanks OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION to the experience and help of David and Myra Reid, Cushing Citizen. “Looking forward to a great year ahead,” Dick wrote. “Miss my old OPA Past Presidents Report president pals as our long gray line gets shorter.” NOVEMBER 2011 OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 1977 – PAT DYER (JACK) Pat celebrated “the big 8-0” this year The Oklahoma Press Association with her family at a dinner party where she arrived in style in a black limousine. compiles this annual Pat and her daughter, Kelly Dyer Fry, executive editor of The Oklahoman, took Past Presidents Report a trip to Florida. Pat’s granddaughter Andrea Dyer as a way of recognizing married Matt Childers this year and granddaughter Katie Eaton will marry and keeping in touch Justin Gore in March. Pat said, “Miss all of you – what wonderful memories we with those who dedicated have.” Pat regrets she will not be able to attend this year’s event. their time and efforts 1979 to serve the press association. KEN & PHYLLIS REID Ken reported a few changes: “More forgetful, more excuses, quit pruning tall trees, expect early morning leg cramps… Four OPA past presidents died in the health challenges were signs of Lou trip to Ardmore where they met fellow Phyllis quit going fishing in Alaska last year. We greatly appreciate their Gehrig’s Disease (ALS). OPA family Pat Dyer, Kelly Dyer Fry and with me. It’s not that she did not enjoy contribution to the Oklahoma newspaper Lou Gehrig’s slowed him down, Ray Dyer for breakfast. fishing. She just couldn’t get up out of the industry and dedication to OPA. We’ll although not without he and Maribeth Maribeth continues to live at Grace airplane seat when we got home.” remember them fondly. joining the Dallas Chapter’s ALS Presbyterian Village in Dallas. The Reids have 12 grandchildren and caregivers’ support group. They made new Lauri and husband Tom in nearby nine great-grandchildren. Son David and AL HRUBY friends as they faced the challenges of Farmers Branch watch the Sooner games his wife, Myra, went with the Reids to the Nov. 14, 2010 living with ALS. with her now. Marti is still vice president Lake Ouachita, Ark.,w cabin this year. “I of global advertising sales in classifieds LARRY WADE (AND MARY JANE) Those challenges and complications think to be sure we go home when they limited his recovery from a summer heart for the Wall Street Journal. March 6 & 31, 2011 do,” Ken joked. attack. He passed away in mid-August at “Our thoughts are with you as you He and Phyllis will be at the dinner, J.L. JENNINGS the family home. celebrate the evening – please know that and sent this message to those who won’t Aug. 11, 2011 In early December last year Jim, we will toast you from afar – wishing attend. “Keep busy doing something that JAMES PATE daughter Marti, daughter Lauri and each of you good health, peace and makes your neighbors wonder why, enjoy Aug. 11, 2011 granddaughter Jessica made a trip to happiness.” it and hope it is worthwhile to somebody. Arlington, Texas. Jim wanted to see the Thank God for every pretty day and don’t 1959 Cowboy Stadium and Marti wanted to see 1975 blame Him for the bad ones…and thanks ED & MELBA LIVERMORE what would be the final OU-Nebraska DICK & RHONDA HEFTON for being our friends and mentors in what Ed and Melba traveled to see the game at the Big XII Championship. His Dick and Rhonda report they saw is still a GREAT calling.” aftermath of the twister in Joplin, Mo. Ed nephews, John and Mark Austin, came family and old friends this year. Dick had hip replacement surgery this year and along too. went to Hilton Head with a fighter pilot 1980 said he’s almost as good as new. Melba’s Jim and the family connected with friend twice. He also went to the Air TOM McCURDY back problems are under control, and the fellow OPA’ers (and cousins), Joe and Force Academy in Colorado Springs and Tom moved to Norman after his father’s family is “wise, well and happy.” The Neville Hancock and Bill Hancock and Cheyenne Mountain Resort in August to death, but hopes to move back to Purcell Livermores regret they will not be able to also with John D., Gracie and Matthew daughter Hilarie’s family reunion. Son someday to be near his grandchildren. He attend this year’s event. Montgomery at the game. Capped off Sam and Dick visited Sam’s home at had lens implant surgery in September with a win, Jim told John D. he hadn’t Angel Fire. Before that, they went to the and is now working to play golf again 1974 been up that late in too many years and it Big 12 Championship in December. after recuperating from a back injury. MARIBETH PATE (JIM) was time to go home to bed! The Heftons sold their house in the Tom has gotten to know OU baseball and Jim, ever the follower of new Jim learned six weeks later in January spring and moved to Glenbrook in basketball coaches and visited friends in technology, was awaiting the new Apple of the ALS diagnosis. In March, he and Oklahoma City. Tanglewood, Texas. iPad last January when he learned his Maribeth joined daughter Marti Gallardo, Dick led a Rotary District conference in Midwest City at the Reed Center in Armando and James Gallardo on a road Continued on Page 13 13 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011

Sixteen past presidents of the Oklahoma Press Association attended the annual Past Presidents Dinner on Nov. 3 at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Back: Wayne Trotter; Jim Mayo; Steve Booher; John D. Montgomery; Rod Serfoss; Sean Dyer; Jerry Quinn; Tom McCurdy; Ben Blackstock; and Dick Hefton. Front: Mark Thomas; Gracie Montgomery; Barb Walter; Gloria Trotter; Joe Hancock; J. Leland Gourley; Ken Reid; and Don Ferrell.

involved with the Sequoyah County Times Leland had surgery on his ear and both in Dallas to watch the Sooners beat Texas OPA Past Presidents for decades, at 81 in August. knees replaced. – again. They are looking forward to this Jim and Becky are thankful to be able Speaking of his knee surgeries, Leland year’s event. Continued from Page 12 to travel. They escaped the hottest month said, “The first one was so much fun, I 1981 in Oklahoma history to visit their older just had to have the other one done.” 1993 JIM & LOUISE BELLATTI son, Jack, and his wife, Jen, in Seattle and Vicki went on a girls-only trip to ED & MARCIA LIVERMORE Ed Jr. and Marcia have survived the Jim and Louise are sorry they cannot Roche Harbor, Wash., for two weeks. Jordan and Israel. She’s chorus line year of “drought” in and around their attend the dinner this year. Jim reported “We liked it so much we’re going back dancing for charity as well. Leland and Kerrville, Texas, home. “We’re even the kids and grandkids are doing well. for Christmas,” Becky wrote. the family dog, Missy, have enjoyed capturing shower and bath water in Jim is still the executive presbyter for “Jeff and Beth and children Madolyn watching Vicki rehearse at home. She also pails to distribute outside to help our Cimarron Presbytery, which includes and Maddox bring good cheer to life in took her two grandsons to Disney World landscaping,” Ed wrote. “If we don’t get 14 Presbyterian churches in northern Sallisaw and make it possible to dodge at and had more fun than they did. rain this winter, things could get very Oklahoma. He and Louise visited least some of the hot weather of summer Vicki talks to their dog Missy every dicey in 2012 in central Texas. So, pray Colorado and Hawaii this past year. and ice and snow of winter.” Jim and night, but Leland did not know what Becky look forward to seeing friends at to say, so he decided to teach Missy for some rain…and include the zip code!” 1984 the Past Presidents Dinner. the alphabet. Nightly he repeats the The Livermores spent two weeks in DON & SALLY FERRELL alphabet to her and then counts to 25. California and Hawaii last winter and then “We stayed home all summer engaged 1987 The Gourleys have visited Vicki’s family in August hiked in the coastal Redwoods in a losing battle to keep trees and shrubs JOE & CAROLYN McBRIDE house in Hawaii twice during the past of northern California. “How many recall from dying of the heat. The good news is Not much has changed for Joe and year. Leland sure hopes Ed Livermore, the wonderful OPA trip to Kauai back in we did not have to mow grass often…and Carolyn. They still publish six times in Sr., will be at the Past Presidents Dinner the 1980s? We visited the same area, but we never saw a mosquito.” five days every week, producing two so Leland will not be the oldest one there. how it has changed.” Daughter Cindy is district judge for issues on Fridays. Their five grandchildren are all Lincoln and Pottawatomie counties. It’s been two years since the Anadarko 1991 well. Son John is in software work in Don and Sally haven’t gotten to travel Daily News office burned down. In about JOE & NEVILLE HANCOCK Dallas, and daughter Christy is a school often, but plan to meet their “horseless two months, the McBrides will have a Joe and Neville say there haven’t been counselor in Leander, Texas. Ed has carriage” friends for a trip across Pauls building again. Joe said they may move many changes for them this time around become a member of the local airport Valley, Davis and Sulphur in their 1914 into the new building even though it’s still except they no longer travel to OU out- board in Kerrville. Oldsmobile. under construction. of-state football games, other than Dallas. “We hope all are well among our OPA Don and Sally are looking forward to “(Daughter) Carla is determined Joe and Neville are looking forward to friends and that advertising revenues are seeing everyone at the dinner. the minute we have electricity and a this year’s event. growing,” Ed wrote. bathroom we’re moving in on top of the 1985 construction people,” he wrote. Joe and 1992 & 2005 1996 DONN DODD Carolyn regret they will not attend this JOHN D. & GRACIE LINUS & LEE WILLIAMS Unfortunately, we did not hear from year’s event. MONTGOMERY Linus and Lee are healthy and happy, Donn this year. The Montgomerys have a new Linus wrote. They travel a few times each 1988 grandson, John Denny Montgomery IV. year in late fall and spring and go to the 1986 J. LELAND & VICKI GOURLEY He was born May 6, 2011, in Norman. mountains in summer. They’ve handed JIM & BECKY MAYO Leland and Vicki are looking forward “Jack is keeping everyone, especially over more responsibility to Linus Jr. Jim lost his brother Dick, who was also to seeing everyone at this year’s dinner. Grandma and Grandpa, entertained.” John D. and Gracie made it to the Cotton Bowl Continued on Page 14 14 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011 2001 as a school administrator at Tishomingo OPA Past Presidents SEAN & DONNA DYER Schools and Susie as a classroom teacher Continued from Page 13 Sean and Donna are adjusting to an at Byng. empty nest now their youngest daughter, The newspaper office just recently and his family in the business and feel Andrea, has married Matt Childers and got a fresh coat of paint and a new sign. fortunate, Linus said. moved to Yukon. Son Travis is still in “The old sign was one Dad put up years “We hope all of the past presidents El Reno with his three boys. Daughter ago, with the newspaper being founded and their families are doing well.” The Tristan, also known as the wedding in 1900,” Ray said. “Right after we put Williams regret they will not be able to planner, is in Norman with her husband out our Centennial issue in 2000, we attend this year’s event. and three boys. Donna and Sean visited discovered the paper was actually started Maui, Hawaii, in September. in 1901. After 30 plus years, we finally 1997 The Tribune bought a larger building, got the sign corrected!” Ben Blackstock, left, retired executive TOM & SHERRY MUCHMORE vice president of the Oklahoma Press four blocks south of the news office for Tom and Sherry are looking forward to Association, and Bill Walter, co-publisher a new 10-unit Heidelberg V-30. “We are 2004 this year’s dinner. of The Hennessey Clipper, visit at the Past still attending Little League games and Jr. JOE & MYRA WORLEY Presidents Dinner. The Worleys are sorry to miss everyone 1999 & 2009 High games and hope to be for years to come,” Sean said. this year. Joe wrote, “The Tulsa World dinner this year, but getting better every WAYNE & GLORIA TROTTER is doing great. Nothing changes at our day.” The Trotters are glad that 2011 is 2002 house except the dogs that come and go During Stu’s absence Cheryl took over almost over. Wayne has suffered most of BARB & BILL WALTER regularly.” Joe and Myra are working his duties at The Seminole Producer, the year from nerve problems that made “The newspaper is our hobby, just ask with a Tulsa non-profit, Muddy Paws, including replacing the four-person news his right hand useless, severely limiting the government,” Barb wrote. “Our travels which trains female felons to groom pets staff. Stu wrote, “I might not let her quit his journalistic production. Along with in September were to Hennessey’s first so the women have jobs after they’re when I get back to work, at least not in that, the newspaper moved out of the Wine & Chocolate Festival at Memorial released. Son Bo has moved to run the the writing part.” huge, historic building it had called home Park here. We hoped for a couple Southern Mississippi University Army for about two decades, which entailed hundred, and had more than 500. We’d ROTC program. Joe and Myra’s daughter, 2008 buying a new building (half the size) ordered 580 wine glasses and only had a Allison, still teaches in Tulsa Public STEVE & SONYA BOOHER and moving or throwing away a lot of dozen left at the end of the evening.” Schools. She and her husband live in Sonya retired after 22 years as the stuff. Gloria said it was exhausting and The Walters also attended events Owasso. Alfalfa County Assessor and agreed expensive. sponsored by Hennessey United (formerly to join Steve at the newspaper as an “We’ve booked a cruise for early next Hennessey 2010.) Barb is a past president 2006 advertising sales person. Steve wrote, year; we need the rest. But overall, things and has served on the board since the DAVID STRINGER “She immediately organized everything are fine,” Gloria wrote. group’s inception. Bill keeps busy with David accepted the job as publisher of (I’m used to chaos) and is doing a great The newspaper continues to win the Lions Club, shooting football on the Hannibal (Mo.) Courier-Post in June. job.” awards. The Trotters have a small but very Friday nights, selling ads and writing After leaving The Norman Transcript The Boohers took another short talented and loyal staff. Son Greg uses stories. in 2010 and exploring a number of vacation to Red River, N.M. The break his computer skills at the paper when he’s “We’d love to go to New Orleans opportunities, both inside and outside the from the heat was just what they needed, not at his real job at the National Severe for Christmas, but that depends on lots industry, he took the job in “America’s not to mention the relaxation. The Storms Lab. ... including how many ads Pioneer Hometown” on the banks of the Boohers are looking forward to seeing “The cats are fine, although Miss Telephone runs with us,” Barb wrote. The Mississippi, at a paper that claims Samuel everyone at this year’s event. Patches gave us a scare when she Walters are looking forward to this year’s Clemens (Mark Twain) as its most notable disappeared for a couple of days. Wayne dinner. former employee. 2010 found her under the house and declared He reported he won’t make the dinner ROD AND JODY SERFOSS himself a hero. We’re looking forward as 2003 this year, but will do all he can to make it Rod reports he and Jody took no major usual to the OPA family reunion at the RAY & JENNY LOKEY in 2012. trips this year. His only hobby remains Past Presidents Dinner, and send our love Ray just finished his second term producing a newspaper every day. “The and best wishes to those of you who can’t as president of the Johnston County 2007 best part of the year is now being part make it this year.” Humane Society. The greatest challenge STU & CHERYL PHILLIPS of the distinguished group of OPA past was completing a new 48-kennel animal Stu and Cheryl went on a cruise in presidents!” Rod will see everyone at the 2000 February and upgraded from Harley riders Past Presidents Dinner. JERRY & CAROL QUINN shelter for Tishomingo, funded through a benefit concert by Blake Shelton and to “Reverse Trike” riders. Both got a Can- Jerry retired in February. He and Carol Miranda Lambert, who live outside of Am Spyder. OPA RETIRED EXECUTIVE VP have been to South Dakota, Wyoming and town. Stu had surgery in August, he wrote. BEN & BONNIE BLACKSTOCK Montana with their daughter, son-in-law Ray and Jenny lost their Rottweiler, “The outcome wasn’t successful and I The Blackstocks lost their son Dan to and twin grandsons. Jamie, this past year to hip dysplaysia, but had to sit on my tail for two months while a heart attack and stroke in August, after Carol is involved with the Garden still have plenty of company with their they tested me over and over. Finally they Ben had spent 11 days in the hospital Center in Bartlesville. Jerry’s learning four other “kids” at home, plus a cat that opened me back up on October 18th and himself. to garden as well. Jerry and Carol are watches Ray’s every move at the office by fixed me right. A week after the surgery “I have to believe the rest of the year looking forward to this year’s dinner. perching next to his keyboard. and I’m feeling better than I have in was and will be better,” Ben said. The Ray’s brother, Rex, and sister, Susie months. Not sure if we’ll make it to the Blackstocks plan to see everyone at the Kiser, both retired this past year, Rex event. 15 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011 Interns tell what they learned working at newspapers Final part of ONF interns’ experiences at Oklahoma newspapers this summer MARY NEWPORT editors with a flair for teaching and a long history of excel- always available to assist me and didn’t hesitate to give Mary, a junior at East Central lent journalism. advice. By the end of my internship, I noticed marked University in Ada, interned at Under their care, I explored every aspect of my craft. improvement in my writing and my confidence. The Countywide & Sun. I wrote stories, took photos, posted on the website and I gained experience that would be impossible to earn in checked the paper for errors along with other tasks. a classroom, and I feel that I was able to be helpful at my From day one, I felt very much a part of the paper. My host paper in return. interned at the County- work was not confined to the fringes; I worked on front- This internship was the best possible way to spend my wide & Sun, a paper with page stories as often as not, and I covered important local summer, and I am immensely grateful to the ONF and the a reputation for excellence, events and meetings. Countywide & Sun for providing me with this opportunity. Iunder the tutelage of Gloria and Gloria and Wayne encouraged me to work indepen- Wayne Trotter. dently and exercise my own judgment, but they were The Trotters are top-notch

KORY OSWALD My internship is like a deluge in a drought. It is over- Washington after more than 30 years at The Oklahoman. Kory, a University of Central whelming and beneficial, and I would be an idiot not to Shortly after that, David Thompson retired as the pub- Oklahoma graduate, interned at embrace it. lisher. Both were replaced by two courteous, intelligent The Oklahoman. The newsroom chatter of police scanners, ringing and only slightly intimidating people. telephones, rustling half empty doughnut boxes, clicking I’ve covered a range of subjects. I’ve shot video and staplers and crude editorial jokes make me feel my deci- met interesting people while working on stories for more can see Broadway Exten- sion to pursue journalism was the right one. It’s music than one department, but it doesn’t feel like I did enough sion from my desk on the to my ears, but at times it sends my A.D.D. into frenzied during my time here. I could have done more. My intern- eighth floor at The Oklaho- overdrive. ship is not over but I already feel a tinge of regret for not Iman. The cloudless blue sky and Working with such smart and talented people is some- trying harder. yellow grass is as telling as the thing I will never forget and hope to continue through As I’m typing this, the sun has been blanketed by dark comments on Facebook: it’s dry my career. Everyone has been extremely helpful and sup- clouds and my Facebook friends say the temperature and hot outside. portive. They hold me to the highest standard but let me is only 93 degrees. It’s 5 pm but it’s getting dark and I It hasn’t rained much this summer, but in the newsroom stand on their backs to help me reach it. They accepted all think I hear thunder from the newsroom. That trace of the patter of people pecking out stories on their keyboards the interns as staff members and made us feel more than regret I feel will probably build up like the clouds lurking sounds like rain. If you close your eyes you can pretend welcome. above Oklahoma City. With any luck it will flow like rain the red dirt is turning to mud. Most days it pours, some- I started at the beginning of June. I have seen interest- through my fingers. times there are only small showers, but it’s always raining ing changes at The Oklahoman during my short time here. in a newsroom. During my first week, Ed Kelley, the editor, left to work in

SHAWNDRA Never would I have thought I would be seeing anything ed events and city council meetings. I wasn’t running cop- new in El Reno. I was very active in high school so I was ies and getting coffee, I was a full-fledged reporter. My ROBERTS, able to be active in the community. I worked as a lifeguard interviewing skills improved, and my ability to dig to find Shawndra, a University of Central at the city pool, volunteered at elementary schools; I more information. Oklahoma graduate, interned at the thought I knew quite a bit of people. I lived there my entire I gained useful knowledge in all of the areas a reporter El Reno Tribune. life until going to Edmond for college. should be well versed. I know everything I learned while The first day at the internship I went to the disinterment interning at the El Reno Tribune will be utilized when I rowing up in a town of an Italian prisoner of war at Fort Reno, a definite first start my career as a journalist. the size of El Reno, and maybe once in a lifetime experience. I was able to There are a lot of aspects about this career that just you begin to think you hang out with Italian Air Force men for an entire day. You cannot be taught inside of a classroom. I had excellent haveG experienced everything the could feel how proud they were to be bringing one of their professors, but there are just some things you will never town has to offer. countrymen home, even though they had never met him. fully understand until you do them. The only way to learn This was the mindset I had From then on I was able to speak with new people and is through experience. This internship was ideal in order when coming to intern at the El Reno Tribune. experience new things while working at the newspaper. to gain such experience. I was very mistaken. I wrote in-depth features and hard news pieces, attend-

The Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation’s internship program, made possible by a grant from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation, promotes the value of working at Oklahoma newspapers and benefits students as they begin their professional careers. 16 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011 SCOUTING REPORT 4 Join OPA President Rusty Ferguson on his visits to OPA member newspapers

By RUSTY FERGUSON, OPA PRESIDENT product of Gary and Linda Hicks since One word continuously came to mind January 1983. Memories of that first issue during my most recent road trip to visit that they managed to get to press between Oklahoma newspapers — and that word flipping dough at their pizzerias vividly was quality. sticks with them as they used Scotch tape I met quality people producing qual- to hold everything in place. “The printers ity newspapers. As we left each town the quickly found a waxer to donate to our thought that consistently came to mind cause,” Kathy recalls. was, “Do the people in this community Although Gary holds a degree in jour- Garvin County News Star publisher Jeff Shultz, right, offices in a local art gallery in Pauls Valley that realize how fortunate they are to have such nalism from North Texas University, he features the work of local artist Kevin Stark, left. Touring the gallery with Shultz and Stark is OPA a quality newspaper operated by people first went into the insurance business. President Rusty Ferguson. who really care about their community?” However, with an entrepreneurial spirit, year we bought the paper.” While Sharon schedule. Cindy’s degree is in accounting. Oklahoma Press Association Executive other interests would get his attention, was reporting the Davis news, Richard “Buying the newspapers has given us a Vice President Mark Thomas and I headed such as a classified ad for pizza ovens. The retired from Haliburton, became an educa- second degree… and education from the south this time around, and attempted to Hicks opened four pizza parlors before the tor, a competitive pistol shooter and found School of Hard Knocks,” laughed Cindy. stray from the interstate to experience Lone Grove city clerk convinced him that an interest in coin collecting that resulted “We’ve had a few sleepless nights over some true community journalism. the town could really use a newspaper. It in opening a coin shop next door to the some issues, but we always try to do what Of our eight stops, seven of them were wasn’t long until the pizzerias were sold news office. Today the coin shop is closed, we think is right.” weekly newspapers where it was obvious and the news was cooking week after but Richard’s massive collection of coins Of the eight newspapers aforemen- that “it takes two” was a well-understood week. Gary and Linda share both publish- and all-things-Davis are neatly displayed tioned, seven of them are printed at The phrase. Husband-and-wife teams are a ing and editing duties. at the news office and he hopes to turn Ardmoreite in Ardmore. Publisher Kim powerful combination for newspapers in The Marietta Monitor has been in the the former coin shop into a local museum. Benedict appreciates her commercial Garvin County, Ringling, Lone Grove, Choate family since 1897 when Willis As far as newspaper production goes, it’s printing clients and said her team of long- Marietta, Davis and Sulphur. And in Choate’s grandfather bought an interest in daughter Alesha Henley who partners with time pressmen work diligently to provide Healdton, it’s a “sister act” that gets the it. “I never intended to come back and do her mom to bring the news to Davis each them a good product. In fact, while The job done. this,” Willis said. But that’s just what he week. Ardmoreite switched to a 22-inch web The Garvin County News Star is owned and wife Noreen have been doing since James and Kathy John publish the press paper width, Kim said she felt it and published by Jeff and Nanette Shultz. Willis graduated from the University of Sulphur Times-Democrat and have been important to “give the customer what they Nanette has a full-time job outside of the Oklahoma in the early 1960s. He said it is doing so since 1968. James is the second wanted.” It seemed all the weeklies wanted news business, but her employment at Noreen who has kept the office organized generation to publish the Times-Democrat, to maintain their 25-inch size, so rolls of the county extension office lends itself and handled all the bookkeeping while he following in his father’s footsteps. After paper are being changed on a regular basis to making important news connections. has overseen the news side of the business. graduating from OU, he returned to Sul- in The Ardmoreite press room to keep the Jeff says her input is important and their The ink truly runs in his bloodline. After phur where he met and married Kathy. customers happy. collaboration has been essential in recent his grandfather died in 1924, his grand- James oversees news coverage and pro- Kim’s grasp on customer service stems business decisions. It was three years ago mother took over until his father returned duction while Kathy is the advertising from entering the publishing business on when Jeff left the world of corporate jour- from college to run the business. However, director. “But we both do a little bit of the advertising side. “Back in college I nalism to return to his roots of community Willis was just 13 when his father died, everything, that’s how we’ve always made had hopes of being the great American newspapers. He and Nanette purchased the and he watched his mother take charge it work,” Kathy said. reporter,” Kim recalled. “But, when I inter- weeklies in Maysville and Stratford and and operate the business until he took over And it’s in Healdton where it’s the viewed for a reporter’s job I found out it combined them into a single paper, soon in 1961. “Now, I can’t imagine doing any- sister act of publisher Christi Blakemore paid less than I was making as a waitress!” adding Pauls Valley news into the mix. thing else,” he said. and managing editor Cindy Dickerson that After considering her options and moves, The Ringling Eagle is published by Jay Sharon Chadwick publishes the Davis has been getting both the Healdton Herald the same newspaper called her and asked and Melissa Grace. In Ringling it’s Melis- News, and at her side to lend a hand is and the Wilson Post-Democrat to readers her to come back and consider applying sa who keeps the news office functioning husband, Richard. Sharon was mentored for more than five years. “It’s something for an ad sales rep position. “They were while Jay handles a family farming and into the business by former OPA president I never dreamed I would be doing,” said very insistent and I was very reluctant, ranching business. However, he maintains and Davis News publisher Margaret Tay- Christi. “But, we’re really enjoying it,” but I decided to give it a try and I was hands-on connection to the paper and, lor. “Working at the paper was a good job added Cindy. “We work hard to provide a surprised I liked it and was successful among other places, can be seen on the for me while my daughter was growing good newspaper because this is our home at it,” Kim said. Her success took her to sidelines of sporting events with camera in up,” Sharon said. “I was working more and we care about our community.” Christi Hillsdale, Mich., as ad director and then to hand. The Graces have operated the Eagle and more hours as Margaret showed me also teaches computer classes at Healdton Arkansas City, Kansas, where she worked since 1990. how to do more and more. The year our High School and works around that busy Continued on page 17 The Lone Grove Ledger has been a daughter graduated high school was the 17 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011

Continued from page 16 as publisher for a dozen years. She said the opportunity to move to Ardmore came at a good time for her family. “This is a great market and I’m fortunate to have great people working here,” she said. As pub- lisher of the Gatehouse-owned six-days- a-week newspaper, Kim also can relate to the multitasking that her weekly publishers face as she is also charged with being The Ardmoreite’s managing editor and produc- tion manager, not to mention the landlord responsibilities that come with leasing out the upper floor offices of the newspaper’s downtown corner lot landmark building. A WHOLE NEW WORLD Melissa Grace, publisher of the Ringling Eagle, Most of the publishers with whom we enjoys a visit from OPA President Rusty Ferguson. visited have personally been part of the amazing transition in such a relatively short period of time of watching newspa- per production move from melting hot lead to form letters and words on a Linotype to Sharon Chadwick, publisher of The Davis News, and husband, Richard, who helps out at the the punching of yellow teletype tape for weekly newspaper. offset film processing to the first little Mac Willis Choate is the third generation of his family to today’s amazing digital offerings. to publish the weekly Marietta Monitor. owner for a few years and learned all about In Healdton, sisters Christi and Cindy offset paste-up. After taking a break from are thankful for the ongoing employment the stress-filled news business, the owner of Claude Freeman, who has been a part called to encourage her to come back and of the Herald’s history for some 50 years. consider taking over the paper. She rec- Although today he’s comfortable building ognized the town’s need for a newspaper ads and laying out pages on a computer and the newspaper’s need for updating screen, he remembers the late nights of the and progress, so she went back and soon letter press days. He still uses the windmill thereafter bought a computer to make the Heidelberg to number invoices in the print transition to desktop publishing. shop as well as other old relics that still, after all these years, do the job that needs SOMETHING EXTRA Sisters Cindy Dickerson, left, and Christi to be done. Many weekly newspaper publish- Blakemore own and publish the Healdton Herald In Davis, a small letterpress, wood type and Wilson Post-Democrat where Blakemore ers recognize a need to supplement their drawers and other early day pressroom serves as publisher and Dickerson as managing income. Some continue to utilize their fixtures are on display for visitors to see editor. graphics department to not just build ads, up close. Sharon Chadwick’s newspaper but to create print jobs as well, such as experience doesn’t take her that far back, business cards, letterheads and envelopes, but she does remember how important it invoices, etc. Of the newspapers we vis- was to make as few mistakes as possible Kim Benedict, publisher of The Ardmoreite in ited, busy print shops were part of the Ardmore. on the old Compugraphic 7200 headliner. mix at Healdton, Lone Grove, Marietta “I remember Margaret asking us repeat- and Sulphur. Ringling and Davis also sell edly, ‘Do you all know how much that printing products by doing the layout work film costs!?’” she recalled. Shortly after and using wholesale printers. And even in purchasing the News, Sharon bought her today’s market of big box discount stores first Mac. and Internet deals, several newspapers In Sulphur, James John clearly remem- continue to sell office supplies in their bers all the details about hot metal and front offices. From pens and markers to the intense labor involved with getting receipt books and register tape, Sulphur the newspaper to press each week. The and Davis were both well-stocked. In Times-Democrat made the switch to offset Ringling, photo packets were spread on a in 1975, and a large basement has evi- counter waiting to be claimed as publisher dence of the many stages that came before Melissa Grace utilizes her photography today’s digital capabilities. In Marietta, skills to take group and individual pictures Willis Choate has those same memories Gary and Linda (right) Hicks are the entrepreneurs and sell the Memory Mate packets to all who started the Lone Grove Ledger in 1986. and a back shop packed full of the Moni- kinds of teams and squads. And in Garvin James and Kathy John, publishers of the Sulphur Also working with the Hicks is Terry Church (left), tor’s rich history. In Ringling, Melissa Continued on page 18 Times-Democrat. assistant to the administrator. Grace worked for the former newspaper 18 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011

as president of groups like Chamber and to be able to not only write about, but be SCOUTING REPORT 4 Rotary, has also been involved with com- in on the transitions a community makes,” Judiciary restricts Continued from page 17 munity theater and currently not only she said. County, publisher Jeff Shultz has even promotes a local art gallery, but rents an “I think many of us have an illusion that public access tried his hand in the comic book publish- office space in a gallery that showcases the we can make a difference in the commu- ing arena. art of local artist Kevin Stark — the same nity… and it’s great when we actually do,” man who is responsible for Pauls Valley’s said Marietta’s Willis Choate. “Plus, this to information OUR TOWN top tourist attraction, the Toy and Action job has allowed me to live three minutes By MICHAEL MINNIS, OPA ATTORNEY Wherever we travel, it’s awesome to Figures Museum. from home and 15 minutes from the golf The Oklahoma judiciary recently see newspaper professionals sharing a love Plaques and certificates adorn the walls course!” The job also gave him the oppor- made several decisions that signifi- of community backed up by hours of vol- of every newspaper office we visit in tunity to pass on a love for photography to cantly reduce public access to public unteer contributions. appreciation of the contributions the news- a grandson who is now working towards a documents under the Oklahoma Open Noticing a beautiful new hospital as we papers, their publishers and staff have photojournalism degree at Western Ken- Records Act. drove in to Sulphur, we soon discovered made in their respective communities. tucky University. On June 28, 2011, the Oklahoma that publisher James John had a hand in The Healdton Herald sisters recall Supreme Court affirmed an Oklaho- the reality of bringing such a facility to the THE WHY the first issue they picked up from the ma District Court decision that public community as a member of the hospital “The late, crazy hours” was not the press. “This is ours! We did this,” they employee birthdates could be kept con- board. In Ardmore, publisher Kim Bene- answer given by any of the publishers exclaimed. And it’s that same sense of fidential because allowing public access dict is president of the Rotary Club and is when asked why they enjoy the newspaper accomplishment that has spurred them on would be a clearly unwarranted invasion excited about an annual event that funds business. through the years. “Plus, most people are of privacy under the Act. purchasing winter clothing needs for every Linda Hicks said the stacks of bound usually glad to see us and appreciate what A motion for rehearing filed July 19 child attending a local elementary school. volumes of the Lone Grove Ledger often we’re doing. It’s good to hear comments is pending. This decision will signifi- She also shared projects she’s involved in remind her of how fortunate she has been from people who are grateful for what cantly affect the public’s right to know as a board member for the local Chamber to be a part of chronicling a community’s we’re doing and we love those little notes about their own employees because the of Commerce and a children’s shelter. In progress and history. we find stuck inside a subscription renewal public will now have considerable dif- Marietta, publisher Willis Choate was eas- Melissa Grace said it’s the people of — that’s awesome encouragement,” said ficulty distinguishing public employees ily able to tell his readers what transpired Ringling and the surrounding area that Cindy Dickerson. from those with similar names. at city council meetings as he served on keeps her going. “People are very interest- Lone Grove’s Gary Hicks has also been In the Oct. 8 edition of the Bar that council for more than 22 years — 12 ing. It has been great getting to know them moved by the grateful words of apprecia- Journal, the Oklahoma Supreme Court of those as mayor! and realizing this is a place for us all to tive readers. “Back in the early days there once again proposed a rule that would It was the Kiwanis Club that got the belong,” she said. were plenty of late Tuesday nights or early eliminate personal identifiers from all attention of Lone Grove Ledger publisher From his office in Pauls Valley, Jeff Wednesday mornings when I’d be deter- case filings. Gary Hicks. He and wife Linda have spent Shultz remembers the words of his news- mined that this was going to the last issue A similar rule had been promulgated years traveling to Kiwanis events through- paper publisher father. “He told me the and we just needed to call it quits. But earlier but withdrawn following public out the Oklahoma-Texas region to publish newspaper business is like a mirror. We every time — I kid you not, every time reaction. The response date for public a monthly newspaper for the organization, see the good in a community and we see — I was ready to call it quits, I’d run into input expired on Nov. 4. Although this Ki-Notes. Until just recently, they trav- the bad. It’s our job to point out things someone who would say a few kind words proposed rule is similar to the Federal eled extensively to cover and photograph that need some fixing up,” adding that it’s or offer me encouragement or tell me how Rule, the affect is once again to consid- special events, meetings, galas, etc. and always rewarding to know you’ve been a important the Ledger is to the community, erably limit public information about designed and printed the monthly publica- positive force in making such improve- and I’d keep on going” he said. public events, inter alia, because the tion. ments. And Gary also recalls the sage advice media’s liability for misidentification In Garvin County, publisher Jeff Shultz In Sulphur, James John is thankful he from a fellow publisher who offered him will chill the exercise of Freedom of said, “As a young man I watched my dad’s has been an active participant and witness advice when he and Linda were consider- the Press. involvement in the Chamber so commu- to so many events and changes in the com- ing starting the Ledger, “He said just be On Nov. 4, the court dismissed a nity involvement just comes naturally.” munity. Sharon Chadwick of the Davis forewarned. Half the people are always case filed by two citizens who sought Jeff, who like most publishers has served News agrees. “It has been so interesting going to be mad at you… it’s just that the to enjoin a public trust from violating half is never the same!” the Open Meeting Act. The case was Ardmore publisher Kim Benedict per- dismissed because the plaintiffs did not Looking for a Complete haps summed up the feelings of many of Now you can get have a sufficient interest in the alleged Combination Solution fully-templated, full-color us. She said, “A publisher wants the paper failure to comply with the Open Meet- for Print and Online Special Sections? print special sections & to be a positive influence that helps readers ing Act. This decision relied upon the companion, ready-to- make good decisions about what’s going constitutional requirement that every post online MicroSite sections from Metro on in their community in order to improve suit must be brought by a person with a Editorial Services! their community.” real or substantial interest in the litiga- I remember reading once that quality tion, i.e., “standing.” is never an accident, but is the result of Unfortunately, at least the first two View samples and get intention, effort and goal-driven execution. incidents appear to be judicial efforts to + more information from metrocreativeconnection.com, Meeting Oklahoma newspaper publishers restrict public access to public informa- call Metro Client Services on their home turf does nothing but rein- tion for reasons that are, at best, specula- at 1-800-223-1600, Metro Creative Graphics, Inc. or send an e-mail to force such a thought. tively and in the face of legislative rejec- 1.800.223.1600 [email protected] tions of similar efforts to deny access to www.metrocreativeconnection.com public employee birthdates. 19 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011 Internet Explorer market share going down OPA STAFF non-profit called the Mozilla Foundation. hand-held devices. Not much was done DIRECTORY That InterWeb Thing The Mozilla Foundation begat the Mozilla about it. by KEITH BURGIN, OPA STAFF Application Suite and a for-profit named Today, more people carry Web-enabled ADMINISTRATION Mozilla Corporation. Along the way, the devices than ever before. Of course, Apple MARK THOMAS, Executive Vice President Microsoft’s Internet Explorer may be group begat Firefox – hailed as the Inter- fairly took over the smart-phone mar- [email protected] • (405) 499-0033 on the skids… you might even say Elvis net Explorer killer. ket with the iPhone. Microsoft has tried has left the building. In 2003, Microsoft and Apple Comput- unsuccessfully for years to make headway ROBERT WALLAR, Accounting Manager Yeah. That’s the ticket. ers reached the end of a five-year agree- against it. [email protected] • (405) 499-0027 A new study reveals that for the first ment under which Microsoft provided a iPad anyone? Tablet PCs never really time since IE trounced Netscape Navigator Mac version of IE. Two years later, Mac’s caught on, but Apple’s entry into tablets SCOTT WILKERSON, Front Office/Building Mgr. in the browser wars, Microsoft’s share of OSX10.4 (Tiger) shipped with Apple’s sure did. Remember shortsightedness? No [email protected] • (405) 499-0020 Web users is less than 50 percent. That’s own Safari browser. IE:Mac was a memo- Internet Explorer on iPad. an ego-killer for an application that once ry. It left Apple lovers who were familiar Android is another up-and-coming MEMBER SERVICES held 95 percent of the market. with IE:Mac no choice but to learn Safari operating system for tablets and smart- LISA POTTS, Member Services Director How does one go from owning nearly or download Firefox, Opera, etc. phones. It uses Chrome to browse the [email protected] • (405) 499-0026 all the market to holding less than half? It would also prove to be short-sighted Web. Chrome is a recent standards-com- ELI NICHOLS, Member Services Coordinator on the part of Microsoft. pliant cross-platform browser introduced Well, the aforementioned ego may have [email protected] • (405) 499-0040 had something to do with it. Safari, Firefox and the popular Europe- by Google, one of Microsoft’s biggest Part of the big complaint against Micro- an browser, Opera, all rendered standards- competitors. ADVERTISING soft was that as a dominant company, it based content largely as it should be on The use of tablet computers, smart- felt it could do as it pleased. multiple platforms. Internet Explorer – not phones and internet-enabled devices is, CINDY SHEA, Media Manager In the late ’90s the Web Standards so much. today, the norm – not the exception. The [email protected] • (405) 499-0023 Project (WaSP) and groups of indepen- To be fair, Microsoft eventually listened browsers these devices use are primarily dent website developers advocated for to standards evangelists and passionate Firefox, Safari and Chrome. When you LANDON COBB, Account Executive standards in writing code and displaying propeller-heads. IE was re-designed with add that to these applications popularity [email protected] • (405) 499-0022 Web pages. standards in mind and support for many on laptop and desktop computers it takes a COURTNI SPOON, Advertising Assistant & Even though Microsoft worked with of the technologies missing from previ- big chunk out of IE’s dominance. WaSP, its Internet Explorer remained stub- ous versions. By that time, though, users Microsoft’s unwillingness to adapt to OCAN/2X2 Contact bornly broken for years, making a digital had tasted other fruit and liked it. Internet new delivery models, emerging technol- [email protected] • (405) 499-0035 Explorer was already losing market share. ogy and customer demands was the prob- mess of websites written to standards. CREATIVE SERVICES Meanwhile, Netscape rose from the Wouldn’t you know it though, right lem. It left Internet Explorer clinging to ashes and read like my grandma’s Bible. about then mobile computing reared its the exit door. JENNIFER GILLILAND, Creative Services Director Netscape begat Mozilla. Mozilla begat a head. Internet Explorer was clunky on [email protected] • (405) 499-0028 MORGAN BROWNE, Creative Assistant NNA urges newspapers to help postal service reclaim its equipment [email protected] • (405) 499-0029 COMPUTER ADVICE period of amnesty from Nov. 12 to 26 for ance. No, USPS is not going to die. But Postal Notes people who bring the property back. many changes are ahead. WILMA MELOT, Computer Consultant by BILL NEWELL, OPA POSTAL CONSULTANT Max Heath, NNA postal committee NNA Postal Committee Chairman Max [email protected] • (405) 499-0031 chairman, said as he travels around the Heath and President Reed Anfinson dis- POSTAL ADVICE The National Newspaper Association is country, he finds the white tubs, in particu- cuss the future of newspapers in the mail. asking newspapers to help assist a USPS lar, stashed in all sorts of places. If you are concerned about recent bad BILL NEWELL, Postal Consultant campaign to reclaim its property. A critical news from USPS, you’ll want to watch [email protected] • (405) 499-0020 shortage of postal equipment is creating RATE INCREASE it and share it with others who care about OPEN (DIGITAL CLIPPING) problems in moving the mail. The Postal Service has submitted their newspapers in the mail. The video is post- The Postal Service spent $50 million request for a rate increase. If approved, it ed at NNAWEB.ORG and also on You Tube KEITH BURGIN, OPEN Manager last year replacing mailing equipment that becomes effective Jan. 22, 2012. YOUTUBE.COM/watch?y=b42h6GVdJ3A. was stolen or taken off postal property. The average increase for Periodicals [email protected] • (405) 499-0024 The NNA is asking newspapers to provide is 2.1 percent. First Class letters will go CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION KYLE GRANT, Digital Clipping Dept. editorial support for USPS in its campaign from 44 to 45 cents. To see more on the On Nov. 9, 2012, the U.S. Senate [email protected] • (405) 499-0032 passed out of committee the 21st Century to reclaim the white tubs, pallets and rates, go to pe.usps.gov and look for “New BRENDA SUMMIT, Digital Clipping Dept. other equipment that has found its way Jan. 22, 2012 Price Change Info” on the Postal Service Act of 2011. Labor unions [email protected] • (405) 499-0030 into American homes and offices. The lefthand side. are unhappy with the Act. A group of sen- Postal Service announcement of the need ators, including U.S. Sens. John McCain, NELSON SOLOMON, Digital Clipping Dept. is available at http://about.usps.com/news/ VIDEO DISCUSSIONS Arizona, and Tom Coburn, Oklahoma, [email protected] • (405) 499-0045 national-releases/2011/pr11_123.htm. So many publishers and editors have support ending Saturday delivery imme- Theft of postal equipment can lead to approached NNA to ask whether the Postal diately, eliminating the mailbox monopoly GENERAL INQUIRIES prison time of up to three years and fines Service is going out of business that NNA and allowing states to pass a Do Not Mail (405) 499-0020 • Fax (405) 499-0048 up to $250,000. USPS has declared a decided it was time to offer some reassur- law. Toll-Free in Oklahoma: 1-888-815-2672 20 THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, November 2011 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SEPTEMBER 2011 CONTEST WINNERS Column: Editorial: DYRINDA TED TYSON-JONES STREULI Mustang News The Journal Record

SEPTEMBER 2011 EDITORIAL WINNER TED STREULI, THE JOURNAL RECORD Taking on a flawed system Two pit bull puppies in Sheila Ingram’s care injured a neighbor, who complained to Oklahoma Enter and Win a City officials. No one disputes that, but the extent of the injury and aggressiveness of the puppies remains a topic of debate. A municipal court judge will get a second chance to sort it out next week. $100 Check from The more important part of Ingram’s story is that she had the fortitude to challenge a flawed sys- tem. And she won. ONG! Ingram received a form that said she should turn up in Oklahoma City Municipal Court at 2:30 1. Each month, send a tear sheet or p.m. on Nov. 30, 2009. There was no mention that the city intended to try her at that time. Tried she photocopy of your best column and/ or editorial to ONG Contest, c/o OPA, was, though, found guilty, and fined $1,000. The puppies were to be euthanized. 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma Ingram thought that was unfair. She appeared as directed, but was not ready to defend herself in City, OK 73105-5499. a trial. The Court of Criminal Appeals didn’t think it was fair, either. The justices overturned the 2. Include the author’s name, name conviction and sent the matter back to the trial court for another go. of publication, date of publication It’s a rare resident who will invest the time and money to challenge such a system, especially and category entered (column or editorial). when a family pet is being held at an animal shelter while the case drags on. It’s much easier to just 3. Only ONE editorial and/or ONE pay the fine. column per writer per month will be It’s also tough to fight the city when the judge refuses to hear you out, and clearly Ingram wasn’t accepted. heard. Instead, she was tossed out of the courtroom. We wanted to ask municipal judge Fred Austin 4. All entries for the previous month about that, but he refused to take our call. We were told he’s only willing to talk to attorneys, a pretty must be at the OPA office by the 15th haughty position for a jurist trying the lowest- level cases, and perhaps that’s another flaw in this of the current month. 5. Winning entries will be reproduced particular system. Not even our state Supreme Court justices have such conversational limitations. on the OPA website at www.OkPress. Sometimes the right thing comes in a big, flashy package, such as a death-row inmate being com. exonerated through DNA after years of legal wrangling. And sometimes it turns up as micro-justice, Entries must have been previously wrapped up in a middle-age woman who cares more about the fairness of the process than the pen- published. Contest open to alty assessed. all OPA member newspapers. Ingram may be found guilty again, but her willingness to fight over process will push the city to Although Oklahoma Natural Gas Company change its notification procedure, which will prevent others from landing in a courtroom patently selects representative contest winners’ work unprepared for a trial. for use in this monthly ad, the views expressed in winning columns and editorials are those of Good for you, Sheila Ingram. the writers and don’t necessarily reflect the 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)