Former Frankfort publisher, Dix Communications president
Al Dix was remembered by the Frankfort (Ky.) community as a sensitive and caring publisher who was dedicated to improving the community but kept his good works private.

Dix, 80, died at his home in Frankfort Dec. 1 of pancreatic cancer. Services were Dec. 4 at South Frankfort Presbyterian Church. He was buried at Frankfort Cemetery.

Albert Dix

A fourth-generation journalist, Dix first worked at The Times-Leader in Bellaire, Ohio, where his father was publisher. He moved to Frankfort in October 1962 to become publisher of The State Journal. He retired in 1996 as publisher and as president of Dix Communications.

His daughter, Ann Maenza, is the current publisher of The State Journal, and son, Troy Dix, is publisher of the Ashland (Ohio) Times-Gazette.

Maenza said her father “never cut corners. He always made sure things were done right. He was old school, fair and honest.”

Amy Dix Rock, senior director of regulatory and scientific affairs at Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Nashville, Tenn., said her father was “always thinking of others.”

“We don’t know how many things he’s done for others because he didn’t talk about it,” Dix Rock said. “That’s the way he was. He was soft-spoken but when he did speak you listened.”

Al Smith, who rose to prominence in the state as a weekly newspaper publisher and as the longtime host of KET’s “Comment on Kentucky,” said Dix was a newspaper publisher of the old school, “but the opposite of the domineering egotistic bosses who bullied employees and squeezed the news to match their biases.”

“‘Old school’ means that we always knew that with Al at The State Journal, it was like the grocery slogan of years ago, ‘the owner is in the store.’ He didn’t have to call a distant headquarters to know what to say or do,” Smith said. “He had strong views, conservative Republican in a ‘company town’ (state government) of readers who are mostly Democratic, but he ran the paper on principles of fairness in the news columns and gave his editorial writers, who were mostly more liberal than he, free rein on the opinion page.”

Smith noted how The State Journal under Dix supported a constitutional amendment that overhauled the state’s judicial system and created what is today the Supreme Court. Smith also noted the newspaper’s spotlight on corruption in government and how Dix shunned personal publicity.

“Once I wrote him a private note about something very generous he had done to help someone in trouble,” Smith said. “I heard nary a word in reply. But I didn’t expect it. I am sure he was embarrassed that I even knew.”

Born Aug. 18, 1929, in Ravenna, Ohio, Albert E. Dix majored in political science and was a 1951 graduate of Denison University in Granville, Ohio. He served in the U.S. Army Intelligence from 1953-1955.

Dix was a member of the board of directors of First Capital Bank of Kentucky, the Frankfort/Franklin County Industrial Development Authority and the local Kiwanis Club; and served two terms as chairman of the American Saddlebred Museum at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. He loved fishing and making fishing rods, electric trains and saddlebred horses.

Other survivors include his wife of 56 years, Edna Dix; and four grandchildren, Evan, Stewart and Melissa Dix and Lauren Maenza.

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Insurance updates

The Wells Fargo Insurance Services Team wishes all of the employees of The Wooster Republican Printing Company and their families a very happy and healthy 2010!

The following is a reminder of the new benefits plan design components that are effective as of Jan. 1 for all plan participants:

1)    2010 Deductible Levels
Individual (PPO):  $2,000     Individual (Non-PPO):  $4,000

Family (PPO):  $4,000       Family (Non-PPO): $8,000

2)     2010 HRA Employer Contribution Levels
Individual: $600

Family: $1,200

3)    2010 Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximum Levels
Individual (PPO): $4,000     Individual (Non-PPO):  $8,000

Family (PPO):  $8,000       Family (Non-PPO): $16,000

4)    2010 Prescription Drug Copay Amounts
Retail Copays (30 Days Supply)    Mail Order Copays (90 Days Supply)
Generic: $10                Generic: $20
Preferred Brand: $40            Preferred Brand: $100
Non-Preferred Brand: $60        Non-Preferred Brand: $150

5)    4th tier Prescription Drug Coinsurance Levels
•    Under the fourth tier, the participant will be responsible for 30 percent of the cost of the medicine up to a $350 Per Fill Out-of-Pocket Maximum
•    The Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximum for Specialty Rx is $2,000 per member

Importance of Routine Dental Care

Dental health is a key factor to preserving one’s general health. There have been many scientific studies that show the connection between oral health and a variety of general health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. In response, the World Health Organization has integrated oral health into its chronic disease prevention efforts as the risks to health are linked.

Too many people believe that it is necessary to see a dentist only when they have developed pain or they think something is wrong. Unfortunately, that is a mistake that more than 100 million Americans make each year. Dentists’ areas of care include not only teeth and gums but also the muscles of the head, neck and jaw, the tongue, salivary glands, the nervous system of the head and neck and other areas.  During a comprehensive exam, dentists examine the teeth and gums, and they also look for lumps, swellings, discolorations and any other abnormalities. Dentists often can spot early warning signs in the mouth that may indicate disease elsewhere in the body.

Most dental needs and treatments are predictable, non-catastrophic, low cost and low risk. Dental disease is most often preventable. With the exception of damage due to an accident, dental treatment begins with relatively low-cost diagnostic procedures, such as exams and x-rays. If decay or disease is detected, the sooner it is treated, the less expensive that treatment will be.

The Dental Benefits provided as a part of the Wooster Republican Printing Company Plan include two routine exams every twelve months, which are covered at 100 percent with no deductible. Basic and major services are subject to an annual deductible of $50 per member and are covered at 80 percent and 50 percent respectively, up to an annual maximum of $1,000 per member.

For additional information about all things related to oral health, hygiene, dentists, dental procedures and FAQs, visit the American Dental Association Web site at www.ada.org.

(Source: ADA The  American Dental Association)

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Remembering friend, co-worker

The Crescent-News suffered the loss of a valued friend and co-worker with the unexpected death of copy editor Teri Hageman who died Nov. 13 at the age of 54.

Hageman began her newspaper career as a part-time photographer at The Crescent-News after graduating high school in 1974. In her 35 years there she served in nearly every newsroom capacity, including the last several years as copy editor.

“Teri’s absence has created a real void in the newsroom,” Editor Dennis Van Scoder said. “It’s nearly impossible to replace her years of experience and the knowledge gained in covering northwest Ohio for as long as she had.”

Teri leaves behind her best friend — a 2-year-old Labradoodle named J.T. (for James Taylor), her parents, a sister and brother and three nieces.

“As valuable as Teri was to the newspaper, she will be missed more as a friend and respected sounding board for every idea (from amazing to hare-brained) to pass through the newsroom,” added Van Scoder, who first met Teri in second grade at Defiance’s Spencer Elementary School.

Special section success

The C-N benefitted once again from ever-growing phenomenon of “Black Friday” shoppers.

“The Thanksgiving Day ‘We’re Stuffed’ edition was our best selling newspaper of the month in November,” C-N circulation manager Betty Lentz said. “We sold 18,188 papers on Wednesday, (Nov. 25) 66 papers more than our best Sunday edition for the month.”

Again this year, the popular before Christmas shopping edition had a suggested retail cover price of $1.25 at newstands, the same as the regular Sunday edition and higher than their regular $0.50 newstand price for the daily paper.

In the challenging economy everyone is facing, their advertising department has worked hard on developing and selling special sections to help carry them through the slump.

“With retailers and professional institutions like banks and health care dealing with budget cuts, we’ve placed more emphasis on special sections,” Advertising Director Mark Ryan said.

Most recently, the C-N produced a special section recognizing first-responders — police, firefighters, rescue workers — in Defiance County which was well received by advertisers and the public.

An ongoing special section involves a twist on their annual Baby Tab. This year, in conjunction with the print product, there is an online contest. Everyone who pays to have their baby in the print product also will have the photo posted online. People may then pay 50 cents per vote, either in person or online, to vote for the favorite baby of the year. Money raised from this promotion will be used to support the newspaper’s NIE efforts.

Video added to sports blog

The C-N sports department recently has added more video to its popular NWO Sports Blog, adding new segments, “Challenge Chuck” and “The C-N 6.”

A joint effort by sports staffers Tim McDonough and Chuck Martinez-Brandron and online editor Mark Froelich, the video’s are shot at surrounding high schools and are attempting to attract younger viewers to their Web site.

“Chuck has already been challenged by area high school students in 3-point shooting, hook shots, underhand free throws and a desktop paper football field goal contest,” Froelich said.

In the ‘C-N 6,’ they present six questions to an area high school athlete, ranging from ‘What’s your latest I-pod download?’ to ‘What do you find most enjoyable about your sport?’

Froelich reports that viewership for the blog has shown steady growth since the new segments have been added.

Crisis averted

A potential disaster with their 40-year-old press was averted in October thanks to the foresight of former publisher, the late Gordon C. Dix.

When the C-N bought its press in 1968, Dix also purchased a supply of replacement parts just to be safe, Production Manager Gary Richey said.

When the press came to a halt early in the press run in October, it took the troubleshooting skills of a local electrician to trace the electrical problem in the antiquated electrical system.

“They don’t make parts for this electrical system any more,” Richey said. “We were fortunate to have not one, but two of the parts we needed stashed away that Mr. Dix bought more than 40 years ago.”

In all, the press was halted for only 1 1/2 hours while the repair was made.

Increased giving to United Way

The Crescent-News employees rose to the occasion in this year’s United Way drive as the newspaper gave $2,000 this year, far surpassing last year’s $1,420.

“I’m really proud of our employees,” C-N campaign coordinator Linda Ricker said. “They recognized the need and stepped up to the plate to help our community.”

Rayle hired to newsroom

The editorial department welcomed Bethany Rayle to the newsroom in December. Rayle, a 2009 graduate of Bluffton University, had served summer internships at the C-N in both the newsroom and business office during her college years. A resident of Continental, she also worked at The Lima News during college and comes to Defiance from a reporting job with the Northwest Signal in Napoleon.

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Long-time employee retires

Composing Department employee Patty Cain retired in October after 45 years of service at The Review. She was honored with a potluck luncheon by her fellow workers on Sept. 30 and said she looks forward to relaxing at home and taking care of herself.

Wendy Prince, head of The Review’s composing department, poses with retiring employee Patti Cain, who left The Review Sept. 30 after 45 years of service.

Comings and goings

New composing room employees are Shane Lewis and Malissa Vernon. Lewis is a student at Stark State College, studying graphic art, while Vernon has just moved back to the Alliance area from North Carolina to be closer to her family.

Review Weekly Division sales representative Linda Stark of The Press-News retired Dec. 11 after 24 years of service. Stark’s co-workers and colleagues gathered at Cibo’s italian restaurant in Waynesburg for a farewell dinner, hosted by The Press-News Editor Karen Mundy and the Review’s weekly division staff.

Brenda Brand has been named to fill the vacancy created by Stark’s retirement. Brand lives in the Canton South area and is familiar with The Press-News sales territory. She says she is looking forward to using her sales experience to grow the business in the weekly market, as well as cross-selling into the various publications owned by Alliance Publishing Company.

Holiday special

In a special “Holiday cookie bake-off” event, Review newsroom staff baked and decorated cookies which were photographed and listed with their recipes for a local feature on The Review’s lifestyles food page.

New this year was a bake-off judging by Publisher Chuck Dix. Judged the winners were part-timer Steve Woolf for his Scottish Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (first place) and Kevin Graff for Aunt Jane’s Chocolate Chip Cookies (second place). Tying for third place was Sarah Gold, with Italian Pizzelles, and Joni Bowen with her Jam Thumbprints.

Year-end events

The newsroom held its annual Christmas party at Anthony’s Restaurant, located just blocks from The Review.

Coordinated by Ruth Lang, Stephanie Ujhelyi and Shannon Harsh, entertainment for the event was provided by Lang who sang a special version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” with verses germane to reporting. See the text below and sing-along if you like.

“Twelve Days of Reporting” by Ruth Lang and Shannon Harsh
On the first day of reporting the editor gave to me… An assignment at AASC (Alliance Area Senior Center); two township meetings; three special sections; four police reports; five furlough days; six proofing pages; seven feature stories; eight obituaries; nine Readers Tell Us; 10 disgruntled readers; 11 photo days; 12 webinars.

Photographers Gayle Agnew and Kevin Graff presented the “Top 10 Newsroom Quotes of 2009”. The newsroom staff’s spontaneous quotes are complied throughout the year by Harsh and Lang and posted from time to time on a dry-erase board in the newsroom.

Chamber event draws Review employees

A number of Review employees purchased tickets and attended the Sebring Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas party at the Sebring Mansion Inn and Spa, a splendid historic landmark in the village that has been newly-restored

Reporter/photographer Gayle Agnew represents The Alliance Review as president of the Chamber. Over the past several years The Review has featured the restoration of the mansion, the former home of one of the village founders, Frank A. Sebring.

Business of Cher

With help from her co-workers, and to present a sultry Halloween presence, business reporter Ruth Lang dressed up as Cher with the help of Executive Editor Sarah Gold, and caused a sensation at her church’s event.

Leaving a paper trail 60 years long

Managing Editor K.C. Held celebrated his 60th birthday in December. He was surprised when he arrived at the office to find that the newsroom staff has decorated his work space with black streamers and “over the hill” balloons. His co-workers sang to him before treats were served to mark the milestone. Executive Editor Sarah Gold also celebrated her birthday in December. The staff decorated her office with pink and white streamers and recycled “over the hill balloons.”

A conversation with Earl Bruce

Sports Editor Mike Brown was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview former Ohio State Coach Earl Bruce, when Bruce appeared for a local presentation, and then engaged him in an enthusiastic discussion.

Traficant visits Alliance

Former Mahoning County Sheriff and Congressman Jim Traficant visited Alliance and was interviewed by Stephanie Ujhelyi at a local restaurant prior to his appearance at the Alliance Senior Center. That event was covered by reporter Laurie Huffman. Traficant was photographed by Kevin Graff, and videotaped by Joni Bowen. Readers flocked to The Review site to view the video and feature.

Review Photo/Kevin Graff Jim Traficant talks at Anthony’s in an interview.

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Sales team wins Zip2Save contest

The Ashland sales team, the Ashland Annihilators, was the winner of the November Dix Blitz Zip2Save Challenge. They sold 30 coupons for the T-G, Mohican Area Shopper and Zip2Save.

“It was a lot of fun and a little hairy at times with the tight deadline for the promotion,” Ashland Advertising Director Jason Gwinnup said. “I am proud of my team and what they accomplished.”

T-G Photo/Tom E. Puskar

The Ashland sales team, from left, Tammy Staton, Mark Jablonowski, Cindy Drotleff, Christina Boreman and Advertising Director Jason Gwinnup, wear the Zip2Save shirts they were given for winning the November Dix Blitz Zip2Save Challenge.

The Zip2Save.com shirts were awarded by Ron Waite, Marketing Director of Dix Communications.

Scary first sight

T-G Photo/Tom E. Puskar

Times-Gazette employees Nancy Wasen, Sandy Massie, Laurie Simmering, Janet Jones and Craig Clawson dressed up for Halloween at the office.

NIE Silent auction a success

The circulation department organized the 13th Annual Silent Auction to benefit the Newspapers in Education program. There were 68 bidders and 201 businesses that participated in the event, raising $4,097. Circulation Director Deb Boreman attributed the success of the event to the hard work of her department and to the help they received from other T-G staffers.

Serving United Way

T-G Photo/Duane Martin

T-G Editor and General Manager Ted Daniels helps shave the head of local United Way Campaign Chairman Dennis Miller during the United Way 2010 Critical Needs Campaign Celebration at the Salvation Army Kroc Center. United Way of Ashland County was one of four United Way organizations in the state to reach its annual fund-raising goal, which was $960,000.

Changing of the guard

Sam Renfroe on Dec. 1 joined the newsroom as an editor. He also works in broadcasting on the side, covering high school football and basketball for WMAN in Mansfield.

Before starting at the T-G, Renfroe for 14 years was the news bureau editor at Ashland University. He also worked as news editor at the Willard Times Junction and Shelby Daily Globe. He was the voice of AU Eagles radio for 13 years.

Renfroe lives in Mansfield with his wife, Deborah. The Renfroes have three children and three grandchildren.

He replaces newsroom editor Karen Hanna, who moved to Akron to pursue a master’s degree in library science. Hanna now is employed part-time at the Akron Beacon Journal.

Khoury Heilman on Oct. 19 joined the composing department. Heilman is a graduate of North Central State College and Mapleton High School and received Eagle Scout rank in January 2000.

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Sports writer inducted into Hall of Fame

Long-time sports writer Ron Miller of The Daily Jeffersonian recently was honored as an inductee into the Muskingum University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Miller has covered Muskingum athletics for the past 32 years for The Jeff. He covered the women’s basketball team and volleyball team runs for national championships and covered the induction of two Muskingum football legends into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Miller was recognized for his dedication and loyalty in covering Muskingum and Ohio Athletic Conference athletics by OAC Commissioner Tim Gleason at
the 2009 OAC Football Media Day.

He was Muskingum’s assistant baseball coach for 10 years (1980-90) and was with the team when it advanced to OAC and NCAA postseason play. Miller had a 35-year teaching career in Cambridge City Schools, and today he supervises student teachers for Muskingum’s education department in addition to his sports reporting.

Jeff Harrison/The Daily Jeffersonian
Long-time sports writer Ron Miller of The Daily Jeffersonian was inducted into the Muskingum University Athletic Hall of Fame. Presenting Miller with his plaque here is Muskingum University President Dr. Anne C. Steele.

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Pledging to live healthy

Nearly two dozen Record-Courier employees “took the pledge” in the interest of living healthier in a six-week program that was part of the Healthy Roads initiative.

The 22 participants pledged to improve their health through efforts that included cutting down on smoking, maintaining a better diet and increasing exercise. The voluntary program was coordinated by Circulation Director Bryan Thomas, who heads the R-C’s Smoking Cessation program.

Several of the participants celebrated their successful completion of the program by enjoying a tailgate party at the Kent State University Homecoming game, where they cheered the Golden Flashes at Dix Stadium. The party was hosted by Pete Mahoney, assistant Kent State athletic director.

High profile at area schools

The R-C is maintaining its high profile at KSU athletic events. In addition to promotional activities at Kent State football games at Dix Stadium, the Circulation Department also will be on hand at home basketball games at Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.

The R-C Special Events team also was on hand at the Garrettsville Community Showcase at James A. Garfield High School, where sample copies of the newspaper were distributed along with promotional items.

Circulation Director Bryan Thomas shares a copy of the Record-Courier with a visitor to the Garrettsville Community Showcase.

R-C editor publishes book

Record-Courier Editor Roger J. Di Paolo signed copies of his book, “Rooted in Kent: 101 Tales From the Tree City,” which was published by Kent Historical Society Press.

R-C Editor Roger J. Di Paolo is the author of “Rooted in Kent: 101 Tales From the Tree City,” a collection of his writings about Kent history that have appeared in the R-C as “Portage Pathways” columns.

The 262-page paperback, which was published in December by the Kent Historical Society Press, includes a Foreword by R-C Publisher David Dix. R-C staffers who assisted in the project, include Kasha Legeza-Burton, R-C Special Projects editor, who served as editor; and Mary Louise Rusher, Lifetimes, who was a proofreader along with former R-C staffer Lorie Bednar. Former IT staffer Jona Burton designed the book.

All proceeds from “Rooted in Kent” will benefit the Kent Historical Society.

New hires

New faces at the R-C include Ali Cook, Creative Services graphic designer; and Teri Danner, Advertising clerk.

Staff saddened by loss of former editor

The R-C was saddened by the loss of Sheila Unsworth, retired About People editor, who died at her home in Oregon. She worked at the newspaper from 1973 until her retirement in 1992.

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Wooster JPF finishing holiday rush

The final numbers are in for what was the biggest two months since the opening of the Joint Production Facility (JPF) in Wooster in 2002. Back then, average press runs per week were 20-25, which included both daily newspapers and commercial work.

This year, for the two months of October and November, the average weekly press runs were more than 70. The JPF had 622 press runs totaling 9,351,532 copies and 156,407,168 impressions.

These two months of the year have the highest insert numbers and for all of the publications printed, 1,850 different inserts were run through the mailroom department. On Nov. 23, 58 skids of inserts were delivered in just one day. Needless to say, the racks and floor space were full. The employees once again did a fantastic job of producing all of these products, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief when the holidays were over.

Marketplace.com coming to Wooster

The Daily Record, Holmes County Shopper, Wooster and Orrville “This Week,” Spectrum Publications and their family of Web sites on Jan. 1 launched MarketPlaceOhio.com.

Debbie Holzkamp of HDS Premier Consulting spent three days — Dec. 1, 2 and 3 — in Wooster training the sales reps on how to present and sell MarketPlaceOhio.com and print and online package deals for all their publications.

On Jan. 5, they hosted their advertisers at three separate seminars about MarketplaceOhio.com.

Giving to the community

Total employee pledges to the United Way campaign amounted to $7,883, down only 1.46 percent from last year. There were 31 contributors, six of whom were new to this year’s campaign. Management’s support was shown again with incentives of three paid days off with a $20 or more per pay pledge, two days paid off for a $10 or more per pay pledge and one day paid off for a $4 or more per pay pledge.

On Sept. 25, the managers kicked off the campaign by hosting a grill out for employees at the Wooster office complete with burgers, dogs and all the fixin’s. Brian Zerrer, production manager, also held a cookout at the print site at a later date.

New employees

Terrie Bonfiglio returned to display advertising sales for The Daily Record after 24 years! During her time away, Bonfiglio worked for U.S.Air as a flight attendant and for 17 years sold veterinary pharmaceuticals for Schering Animal Health and Professional Veterinary Products.

Near Washington, D.C., she recruited regulatory personnel for the Maryland biotech corridor before returning to Ohio to care for her parents. An Ashland native, Bonfiglio resides in Ashland with her two Bernese mountain dogs, Var and Bella.

Charlotte Muenzenberger joined the newsroom as the agriculture reporter. Muenzenberger moved to Lakeville from her family’s 52-cow registered Brown Swiss and Holstein dairy in Coon Valley, Wisc. In addition to her parents, Randy and Barb Muenzenberger, Muenzenberger has four younger siblings, Shannon, 21; Cassie, 18; Robin, 15 and Brooke, 12.

Muenzenberger attended UW-River Falls and majored in dairy science with a management emphasis.

In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, playing sports, ice skating and watching the Brewers and Packers. In high school, she played basketball, volleyball and softball and in college cheered for hockey. Her other hobbies include showing cattle at World Dairy Expo and deer hunting.

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Staffers participate in 5K race

Several State Journal employees on Oct. 30 ran or walked in Frankfort YMCA’s annual Black Cat Chase 5K race.

Participants included staff writer Paul Glasser, photojournalist Hilly Schiffer, assistant news editor Sara Gividen and circulation manager Rick Kuiper. Graphic designer Sheri Bunker was a volunteer at the race.

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Busy with events

K COUNTRY recently has participated in a number of events, including one of the station’s biggest yearly events, the one-day McIntosh 1890’s Festival, which draws more than 25,000 people. Afternoon personality Big Red was at the Bushnell Fall Festival. The Mr. Bob Morning Show and country stars The Lost Trailers rode in the University of Florida Homecoming Parade and, later that night, Lewis Stokes emceed The Lost Trailers concert at :08 Seconds country club in downtown Gainesville.

K COUNTRY held two more lunch time acoustic concerts for contest winners. The stars this time were Jason Michael Carroll and Joe Nichols. George Strait only is making one Florida appearance in 2010 and K COUNTRY had plenty of “win ‘em before you can buy ‘em” tickets for his Orlando show. Plus, one lucky winner got to upgrade to the front row.

For Halloween, Lewis Stokes appeared at the Gainesville Jaycees Haunted House during the Alachua County Fair.

K COUNTRY and the Mr. Bob Morning Show held two events to support adoption with the Children’s Home Society. And, to honor veterans and current military personnel on Veteran’s Day, K COUNTRY worked with their client Bob’s Tire to offer free oil changes all day long. For the first time ever, to kick off Black Friday, Lewis Stokes broadcast live from the Oaks Mall in Gainesville starting at 6 a.m.

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Contest winners announced

Record Publishing Co. staffers had a great time at their annual luncheon in October, during which the winners of the yearly RPC Editorial Contest were honored.

The contest was open to all staffers of the RPC weekly newspapers, as well as the daily Record-Courier. The entries were judged by the staff of The Daily Record in Wooster.

Publisher David Dix and General Manager Rich Sekella presented the awards. They were as follows:

Best overall weekly newspaper: First place: Andrew Schunk, Twinsburg Bulletin; Second place: Bill Hammerstrom, Hudson Hub-Times; Third place: Jaime Gerard, Tallmadge Express
Best headline: First place: Chad Murphy, Record-Courier: “Dann’s Done”; Second place: Chad Murphy, Record-Courier: “Portage flushes away $230,000″; Third place: Tim Troglen, Hudson Hub-Times: “Group steams ahead for railroad restoration”
Best Sports column: First place: Michael Leonard, Cuyahoga Falls News-Press: “All’s fair in love, war and rooting for the Steelers”; Second place: Mike Lesko, Stow Sentry: “Herb Score left a remarkable legacy”; Third place: Michael Leonard, Cuyahoga Falls News-Press: “CVCA student-athletes setting fine example”
Best column: First place: Tim Troglen, Maple Heights Press: “Be thankful for the true heroes in blue”; Second place: Colin McEwen, Record-Courier: “Repub-u-licans red-faced”; Third place: Amanda Harnocz, Tallmadge Express: “Lemonade stands offer more than a cool drink”
Best photo: First place: Steph Krell, Record-Courier: “Surprise jump”; Second place: Lisa Scalfaro, Record-Courier: “Surgery”; Third place: Laura Freeman, Hudson Hub-Times: “Touchdown turnstile”
Best sports feature: First place: Michael Leonard, Cuyahoga Falls News-Press: “Royal girls bring it home”; Second place: Mike Lesko, Stow Sentry: “Gangloff’s brushes with greatness”; Third place: Michael Leonard, Cuyahoga Falls News-Press: “So close!”
Best editorial: First place: Phil Keren, Cuyahoga Falls News-Press: “Why not allow for more discussion on safety deal?”
Best single page layout: First place: Chad Murphy, Record-Courier: “Dann’s done”; Second place: Chris Burkey, Record-Courier: “Mushroomhead in Kent”; Third place: Chris Burkey, Record-Courier: “Kent Stage Marathon”
Best news story: First place: Mike Sever, Record-Courier: “Train derails in Kent”; Second place: Matt Fredmonsky, Record-Courier: “Standoff in Ravenna Township ends peacefully”; Third place: Tim Troglen, Hudson Hub-Times: “Schools screech to halt”
Best feature: First place: Stephanie Fellenstein, Hudson Monthly: “Beautiful Music”; Second place: Ellin Walsh, Cuyahoga Falls News-Press: “Falls woman transplants hope”; Third place: Stephanie Fellenstein, Hudson Monthly: “Digging in”
Best special section: First place tie: Stephanie Fellenstein: “Hudson Monthly February 2008,” and Tom Nader, Record-Courier: “Celebrating a decade of excellence”; Second place: Tom Nader, Record-Courier: “2008-09 high school basketball preview”

Doing time for a good cause

Twinsburg Bulletin reporter Emily Canning-Dean on Oct. 29 was “arrested” by the Stow Muscular Dystrophy Association Lockup. She was “detained” at the Silver Lake Country Club where she had to make calls to raise “bail.” She ended up raising $330 for the MDA.

Reaching out to students

Hudson Hub-Times Editor Bill Hammerstrom participated in Career Night at Hudson High School in November. He set up a booth in the high school auditorium and fielded questions about journalism from high school juniors, including the daughter of Cuyahoga Falls News-Press reporter Ellin Walsh.

Schoenstein joins Stow weeklies

The weeklies welcome Holly Schoenstein, who joined the Stow weeklies team in October as a reporter for The Gateway News and the Aurora Advocate. She has worked in various newsrooms across Northeast Ohio as a reporter and editor, including the NPR affiliate WKSU 89.7 FM in Kent and The Vindicator in Youngstown. Schoenstein is finishing her master’s degree in journalism at Kent State University.

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