Fellowship • Scholarship • education And the Best View in Town Volume 51 • Number 5 MAY 2017 WWW.OmaHAPRESSCLUB.COM SEE PAGE 2 SEE PAGE 5 Ashford will be ‘Face on Floor’ on May 17 By Tom O’Connor Brad’s wife, and John Ashford, Brad’s son. Communications Committee The event will begin with a reception at rad Ashford – a political icon and 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. community leader in Nebraska for and the roast around 7:45 p.m. Reserva- Bthe past three decades – will be the tions can be made by calling 402-345- next “Face on the Barroom Floor” on May 8008. Cost is $50 for members and $60 17. for nonmembers. A daily runner, Ashford’s slate of roasters A four-term state senator in the Nebraska includes two of his running partners as Legislature (1987-1995 and 2007-2015), well as several media members, attorneys Ashford served in the U.S. House of and even a couple of family members. Representatives from 2015-2017. He won The two running partners are Jim Quin- his House seat by defeating Rep. Lee Terry, ley, a pharmacist at Kubat Pharmacy who an eight-term veteran in Nebraska’s 2nd will serve as emcee, and Chris Burbach, Congressional District. Ashford was one of a City Hall reporter for the Omaha only two Democrats in the United States World-Herald. Brad Ashford to defeat an incumbent House Republican Other roasters will include: Erin Grace, in the 2014 election. He lost his 2016 bid Omaha World-Herald columnist; Chris corporate relations, HDR, Inc.; Woody for re-election to Republican Don Bacon. Abboud, partner, Abboud Law Firm and Bradford, partner, Houghton Bradford Ashford’s term in Congress was high- former Nebraska state senator; Jim Rose, Whitted Law Firm and the 151st “Face on lighted by his ability to find solutions KFAB radio host; Rex Fisher, director of the Barroom Floor;” and Ann Ashford, See ASHFORD, Page 3 Bacon to discuss OPC Hall of Fame induction set for June 3 his first 100 days By Claudia Bohn on May 15 Communications Committee reshman Rep. Don Bacon, representing ne of the Omaha Press Club’s most Omaha’s 2nd Congressional District, is glorious celebrations, a night to Fa member of the Republican majority honor journalists past and present, is tackling challenges like health care, the O coming Saturday, June 3. The ninth annual economy, taxes, immigration and terrorism. Judy Horan - WOWT, freelance C. David Kotak - Omaha What are Bacon’s priorities as President OPC Journalists of Excellence Hall of Fame writer World-Herald Trump presents his legislative agenda to the will induct six industry professionals new Congress? What does Bacon realistical- recognized for their extraordinary contribu- ly think the GOP majority can get accom- tions to the media industry. plished? Past Hall of Fame recipient and KETV News Director Rose Ann Shannon will emcee the evening, which begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and dinner to follow. The event, sponsored by Firespring, is open Patricia Matson - - ABC, White Sibyl Myers - Omaha to OPC members and nonmembers, but House speechwriter & press aide World-Herald reservations are required. The 2017 inductees include: • Judy Horan - WOWT, freelance writer • C. David Kotok - Omaha World-Herald • Patricia Matson - ABC, White House speechwriter and press aide Don Bacon • Sibyl Myers - Omaha World-Herald Alfred “Bud” Pagel - UNL College of Journalism and Mass Dave Webber - KFAB, KMTV, See BACON, Page 5 See HALL, Page 2 Communications WOWT HALL, continued from page 1 tographer Jeff Bundy. The experience won achievement was preserving the rich legacy plaudits and awards, but nothing topped of African-Americans in Omaha. Myers the recognition Dave received from the 1st developed the Dreamland Historical Project • Alfred “Bud” Pagel - UNL College of Jour Squadron-167th Cavalry for deploying with and became the editor of the Dreamland nalism and Mass Communications them into a combat zone where few other Journal. Myers died Jan. 8, 2007. • Dave Webber - KFAB, KMTV, WOWT journalists ventured. Alfred “Bud” Pagel: An emeritus associ- Patricia Matson: Now a consultant to the ate professor of journalism at the University Let’s meet this year’s honorees: Walt Disney Co., Matson spent almost 25 of Nebraska-Lincoln, Pagel taught news years at ABC television. Prior to her career courses at UNL from 1982-1997. He grew Judy Horan (posthumous): A regular there, she was a speechwriter and press aide up in a newspaper family and published his contributor to Omaha Magazine since 1992, in the Ford and Nixon White Houses and family’s paper in Neligh from 1957-1963. Horan was a true friend of the Omaha Press for Omaha Congressman John Y. McCo- He was city editor at the Norfolk Daily Club. She was a member of the Communi- llister. In 1977, ABC television recruited News and a reporter for the Miami Herald cations Committee for 20 years, serving as Matson as director of news information in and Omaha World-Herald before joining committee co-chair the past 15 years. The Washington, D.C. She became vice pres- UNL as the Gannett Professional Lectur- Hall of Fame event was her vision, and she ident, senior vice president and, in 1985, er. Bud and his mother, Ruth Best Pagel, chaired the event since it began in 2008. department chief. Born in Illinois to a are the only mother-son members of the Horan was the first woman manager at an Foreign Service officer, Patti lived in Wash- Nebraska Press Association Hall of Fame. Omaha television station, when she served ington, D.C., Mexico and South America His other honors include the OPC Career as director of promotions and marketing at before moving to Omaha as a sixth-grader. Achievement in Education, the College Leg- WOWT. She served on the OPC board and She maintains ties to Omaha through her islative Teaching Award, and being named a as president for three professional orga- board membership on the Susan T. Buffett Distinguished Professor in 1996. nizations. Through the years, Judy wrote Foundation. Dave Webber: Dave is one of the most books, articles, histories, audio-video scripts, Sibyl Myers (posthumous): An “am- familiar faces and voices in the Omaha com- speeches and a humor column. Horan died bassador” for Omaha and an advocate in munity. In demand as a speaker, emcee and March 1, 2017. particular for North Omaha, Myers touched genial host, he’s been a popular television C. David Kotok: In 2008, Kotok was the lives of many. She began her reporting figure in the area since 1978. He began his named managing editor of the Omaha career at the Omaha World-Herald in 1974. career in radio with stints at KLNG and World-Herald after a distinguished career In 1985, Sibyl became office manager at KFAB. His first broadcast job was at KMEG as an award-winning reporter. He built a Myers Funeral Home, a position she held in Sioux City. He returned to Omaha and reputation through the 1980s and 1990s until 1994. She remained a correspondent at KMTV in 1977. In 1978, be became sports as one of the nation’s top regional political the newspaper, writing feature articles that director for WOWT, a position he held until reporters. He has interviewed every presi- included her widely read column, “Neigh- 2010. Though semi-retired, Dave still can be dent since Gerald Ford and reported from borhood Notes.” Myers received many seen during WOWT’s “Friday Night Lights” 10 national political conventions. In 2005, honors including the YWCA’s Leadership and Husker football coverage. he volunteered to report from Iraq with pho- Award in Communications. Her crowning A MESSAGE FROM THE maNAGER art of my daily routine at the club is complimentary perk for all members except (Sunday), Independence Day, Labor Day, welcoming and answering questions students. Just call or email me the date(s), Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pfrom members and guests. So I time frame and how many guests for the 7. Parking challenges: Twice a year the thought a top 10 list of frequent topics space needed. We have three private rooms: DoubleTree garage has a parking influx: the might be appropriate: the Agnew Room, Lauritzen West and Berkshire Hathaway meeting (May 6 this 1. Restaurant Attire: The OPC respectfully Lauritzen East. We also rent out larger year) and the College World Series (June recommends business casual -- no shorts, space, including the entire club with or 16-27/28). Our backup garage is called hats, flip flops or tank tops. Exceptions without the Agnew Room. Central City and is at 17th and Capitol. are made during sports-affiliated functions 5. Elevators: The express elevators to the 8. Newsletter: OPC News is your monthly such as the fireworks buffet for the college 22nd floor work only at night from 6 p.m. guide to everything your club has to offer. baseball championships -- a perfect time to on Monday through Friday and from 4:30 For a handy at-a-glance guide to coming wear your favorite team T-shirts. p.m. on Saturday. If we have a Sunday attractions, check the Events listing on the 2. Garage Parking: Members enjoy event, we have the option to run express back page. validated parking at the DoubleTree elevators. Here is the tricky part: There are 9. Faces on the Barroom Floor: In my next garage at 16th and Dodge. The gates are six elevators, but four go no higher than the column, I will tell the unabridged version! automated. The club provides “chaser 21st floor. If you get out on the 21st floor, 10.