Wrong kind of stoned for Sandy Bee Lynn

Retired BJ librarian Sandy Bee Lynn had surgery at Akron General Hospital to remove two kidney stones. A larger one will be removed later.

 

Sandy Bee Lynn, husband Glenn Lynn

This must have been a piece of cake compared to the 2010 day when a drunk driver crossed a double yellow line and hit Sandy’s car head-on. 

The punk went to the Ohio Penitentiary. But Sandy had to deal with intestinal surgery, a plate with 6 screws in her busted left hand, 5 broken bones in her spine and a broken right foot.

It was BJ Alums founder Harry Liggett’s article about the collission in this blog that led her long-ago North Hill friend, Marsha Sue, to a reunion. Marsha saw the article and began her hunt for Sandy Bee. They reunited at the New Horizons Band in Cuyahoga Falls where Sandy Bee plays viola.

Sandy is married to Glenn Lynn. After the BJ, Sandy worked at Orrville and Wadsworth public libraries and lives in Doylestown. Sandy and Glenn both perform with the New Horizons Band in Cuyahoga Falls.

Uniform, medals and other items worn by her father, Henry Fuller, are on display at the Military Aviation Preservation Society (MAPS) Museum. 

Pop was a paratrooper with the 101^st Airborne Division (the famous Screaming Eagle) that jumped over Normandy on D-Day to defeat Nazi Germany. 

The uniform was on display in France for more than a year. The French haven’t forgotten how the Yanks came to their rescue in World War II.

The New Horizons Band, directed by Jim Adkins, performed patriotic music at the dedication ceremony for Sandy’s dad. Glenn was among the band performers.

Henry and Arline Mitchell Fuller had three children: Sandy, Ron and Timothy.

8 chains own 1,100 newspapers in America

Eight companies own about 1,100 newspapers, daily or weekly, in America.

There were only 1,331 daily newspapers in 2014, probably fewer now since there were 1,408 dailies in 2008.

If the owners of those eight companies sat in the same room and decided the identical wording of a story today, what would that do for informing America’s citizens?

Just like an octopus that controls America’s newspapers, the eight tenacles are:

GateHouse Media, the largest newspaper chain in the country with nearly 450 papers in the U.S. including the Akron Beacon Journal.

Gannet, the second largest newspaper chain with more than 220 newspapers

Digital First Media owns more than 170 papers nationwide

Kentucky-based Paxton Media Group owns nearly 60 papers nationwide

Ogden Newspapers has 50 newspapers

Newhouse’s Advance Publications owns newspapers in 25 cities and towns across America and is the country's largest privately-held newspaper chain.

Rupert Murdoch family controls 120 newspapers across five countries.

Warren Buffett, as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, owns about 70 dailies today.

And most of the newspapers that survive have skeleton staffs since newspaper employment went from 458,000 in 1990 to 25,000 today. That’s an astounding loss of 433,000 jobs . . . a 95% freefall.

Photos of John Olesky's trips to Cuba and Florida

To see photos of trips to Cuba and Florida by John Olesky, Class of 1950, copy the URL below and paste it into the www URL destination at the top of your screen.

When you click on a photo, the artlines will appear on the right side of your screen.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/EpGhORA30NcBuiSX2 

Latshaw memorial May 12 on Manchester Road

There will be a Celebration of Life service for former BJ printer Dick Latshaw at 2-5 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at the Allenside Athletic Club, 2533 Manchester Road.

Dick and Pat Latshaw

Dick passed away March 1 on Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

Dick and wife Pat, who asked me to post this information on the BJ Alums blog so that Dick's friends can share in the event, lived for two decades on Pawleys Island two blocks from Linda McElroy, widow of BJ business department retiree Harold McElroy.

Dick thought he had escaped snow when he left Ohio. But in 2010 Pawleys Island got snow for the first time since 1989 . . .  four inches worth.

CF Consolidated Freightways retiree Larry Ray Latshaw, Dick’s brother, predeceased him. Another brother, Ken Ronk, lives in Pennsylvania with wife Lucinda.

Their parents were Doris Denny Ronk and Ken Ronk. Dick returned to Ohio to help his mom celebrate her 97^th birthday shortly before Doris passed away in 2014. Ken predecreased Doris.

Retired printer Sid Sprague, who also lived near the Latshaws on Pawleys Island, moved to Loveland, Colorado with his new bride after his first wife died.

Sid was the first to move to Pawleys Island (from Cuyahoga Falls) around 1997 or 1998. Then Harold and Linda McElroy moved around 1999. Dick and Pat moved to Pawleys in 2000. They all lived on the same 3-blocks-long street. 

Bud Shaw exit 433,000th newspaper job lost in 28 years!

Among the eight veteran reporters, writers and editors who took voluntary buyout offers from Cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer this week were sports columnist Bud Shaw, Washington bureau chief Steve Koff and sports editor Mike Starkey.

Bud Shaw, #433,000

Bud Shaw covered more than a dozen Super Bowls and World Series, eight Masters golf tournaments, the PGA and U.S. Open golf championship, six Olympic Games, the Ryder Cup, the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup Finals, the Daytona 500, the NCAA Final Four and the U.S. Open tennis tournament.

But that’s irrelevant in today’s crumbling newspapers era.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduate and Philadelphia native Shaw came to the PD in 1991 from The National Sports Daily where he worked in Chicago and Detroit. 

His career includes newspapers in Atlanta, San Diego, Philadelphia, New Jersey and western Pennsylvania.

It’s a sad time when a Bud Shaw walks out the door because newspaper owners didn’t get ahead of the infant Internet and, with all their reporting resources, own it. 

No one who toddled onto the Internet to write could have matched all that newspaper talent.

Newspaper employment went from 458,000 in 1990 to 25,000 today. That’s an astounding loss of 433,000 jobs . . . a 95% freefall!

During that same time frame, internet publishing and online broadcasting rose from 30,000 to more than 200,000. A 433,000 loss and a 170,000 gain means 260,000 more people out of work. 

Oh, many migrated to TV newsrooms, which have more reporters than newspapers for the first time in history.

Is this good for democracy? Hell, no! The Washington Post puts it bluntly and accurately. 

Go to

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-crisis-in-journalism-has-become-a-crisis-of-democracy/2018/04/11/a908d5fc-2d64-11e8-8688-e053ba58f1e4_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.dc902ab1fcfb  

to read it. 

There are too many Bud Shaws in this equation to benefit America. There are so few left to catch the politicians and businesses raping America.

Politicians and businesses will have a field day without newspapers being the guarddogs for democracy.

Charlotte and Harry Memmer and their beloved Gold Wing motorcyle

Harry Memmer’s widow passes away

Thanks to Ken Krause, former BJ sports editor who lives in Medford, Massachussetts, I didn’t miss the passing of former 44-year BJ mailroom worker Harry Memmer’s widow.

Here is Charlotte’s obituary:

Charlotte Memmer (88) passed away in her sleep on March 30 while visiting in the Florida Keys.

Charlotte was born in Fayetteville, Tenn. and in high school moved to the Ellet area where she remained. She was a homemaker who enjoyed golfing, traveling and reading. She and Harry visited every state, including Alaska on their Goldwing. They were charter members of "Chapter T" and "Chapter P" Goldwing Road Riders Club.

Charlotte enjoyed her family and friends at their cabin in Deep Creek Lake, Md. She and Harry enjoyed more than two decades of winters in Key Largo; many with their friends at WBN.

Preceding her in death was her first husband, Ross Varner and husband of 56 years, Harry Memmer, Jr.; and sons, Roger W. Varner, Richard A. Memmer; and sister, Corneilia Dibble. Surviving are her children, Lorna (Bill) Moore, Norma (John) Gay, Ron (Dee) Memmer, Bill (Terry) Memmer, Carl (Linda) Varner, Jim (Barbara) Memmer, and John Memmer; and numerous grandchildren; stepbrother, Ken Faber; stepsister, Karol (Jim) Simon; and brother-in-law, Wally (Nancy) Memmer.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 21, with a service at 4:30 and the Celebration afterwards at Springfield Sr. Center, 2491 Canfield Rd., Akron, Ohio 44312. Donations may be made to St. Jude's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis, TN 38105, ID#11271900.

Published in Akron Beacon Journal from Apr. 15 to Apr. 21, 2018

And here is the June 20, 2015 BJ Alums blog article that Ken provided:

Harry Memmer, mailroom retiree, dies at 88

Beacon Journal mailing room retiree Harry Memmer passed away on Friday. As the obituary below notes, Harry and his wife, Charlotte, were avid motorcyclists. Their bike trip to Alaska in 1998 is partially chronicled on this Fairbanks website.

Harry A. Memmer Jr., 88, passed away peacefully at home with family at his side on June 19, 2015. Harry lived in Ellet his entire life and retired from the Akron Beacon Journal after 44 years. He was a veteran in Korea during World War II. Harry and Charlotte visited every state in the U.S. on their Goldwing motorcycles. Their highlight was their Alaskan trip. They were charter members of "Chapter T and Chapter P Goldwing Road Riders Club." They also enjoyed their time and friends at their cabin in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. They enjoyed many winters with their WBN friends in Key Largo, Florida. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, working puzzles and cross stitching.

Harry is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Anna Memmer Sr; sister, Jean Lee; first wife, Mary (Higgins); sons, Rick Memmer and Roger Varner. He leaves behind his loving wife of 56 years, Charlotte (Varner); sons, Ron (Dee) Memmer, Bill (Terry) Memmer, Carl (Linda) Varner, Jim (Barbara) Memmer, and John Memmer; daughters, Lorna (Bill) Moore and Norma (John) Gay. He leaves behind 20 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.

Calling hours will be held on Monday June 22 from 4-7pm with memorial service following at 7pm at Newcomer Funeral Home 131 N. Canton Rd. Akron, OH 44305. Pastor Fred Higgins officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Summa Hospice or a charity of your choice.

RIP, Harry and Charlotte. 

As a long-time motorcyclist, beginning at the age of 38, who never reached Gold Wing status, I envy your accomplishments. 

The most I ever harnessed between my legs was a 250 Benelli, 175 Yamaha, 125 Honda and a Penton off-road dirt bike that we took to New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.

My late friend, electrician Gene Gray of Cuyahoga Falls, who got me hooked on motorcycles, would be the lead biker and I would be the last biker in a 15-bike caravan through mostly mountain roads and timber trails. 

The Olesky bikes would be strapped inside our camper till we got to the camping site, then unloaded to roam that area.

I still remember the stupid thrill of hitting 85 mph on the Benelli. It was an open, untraveled country road. And the wind into my helmet shield was incredible. But I wouldn’t recommend that anyone imitate that feat.

When Paula and I stay in The Villages, Florida, there’s a Gold Wing Club that takes trips to California and back, among other places. 

Keep in mind that you need to be 55 or older to buy a home in The Villages. It’s common for Villages Gold Wing Club members to be in their 70s.

The Gold Wings run about $30,000 today with 1833 cc engines. The famed Harley Hog in my riding days was about 1200 cc.

Roar up the Stairway to Heaven and through St. Peter's Gold Gates, Harry and Charlotte, with your gold wings. 

And I don't mean only the motorcycle.

Cincy Enquirer gets a Pulitzer

The Cincinnati Enquirer staff won a 2018 Pulitzer Prize for documenting Greater Cincinnati’s heroin epidemic.

Enquirer cartoonist Jim Borgman won a 1991 Pulitzer for his work.

Pulitzers went to:

New York Times and Washington Post for their articles on Russia’s interference with the American election.

New York Times, for its articles on wealthy and powerful sexual predators.

Washington Post for its coverage of the Senate race in Alabama.

Arizona Republic and USA Today for its coverage of Donald Trump’s vow to built a wall along the Mexican border.

Read it and weep

Newspaper Death Watch

 http://newspaperdeathwatch.com/

R.I.P.

North American metro dailies that have closed since March, 2007

Tucson Citizen

Rocky Mountain News

Baltimore Examiner

Kentucky Post

Cincinnati Post

King County Journal

Union City Register-Tribune

Halifax Daily News

Albuquerque Tribune

South Idaho Press

San Juan Star

Honolulu Advertiser

Tampa Tribune

McKeesport Daily News

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

---

• W.I.P.

Works In Progress: Major metro dailies that have cut frequency or adopted hybrid online/print or online-only models.

Ann Arbor News

Capital Times

Catskill Daily Mail & Hudson Register-Star

Christian Science Monitor

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Detroit News/Free Press

East Valley Tribune

Flint Journal; Bay City Times; Saginaw News

Harrisburg Patriot-News, Syracuse Post-Standard

New Orleans Times-Picayune; Birmingham News; Huntsville Times; Mobile Press-Register

Portland Oregonian

 

GateHouse has agreed to acquire The Palm Beach Post and the Palm Beach Daily News, in addition to several niche publications and companion websites, from Cox Media Group LLC for $49.25 million.

Ogden Newspapers, Inc., a family owned newspaper group with 43 daily newspapers in 16 states, took over Byrd Newspapers, including Winchester Star, Harrisonburg Daily News-Record, Shenandoah Valley-Herald and Skyline publications.

The Byrd family has been in the publishing business in the Shenandoah Valley since 1897.

Ogden Newspapers was founded by H.C. Ogden in 1890 when he began publishing the Wheeling (WV) Journal.

In 1912 Harry F. Byrd Sr. sold the Martinsburg Journal, which he founded in 1907, to Ogden Newspapers.

Ogden, headquartered in Wheeling, West Virginia, also publishes newspapers in Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah.

Former Guild president Linda Foley on the BJ sale

post sent to Paula A. Schleis from Linda Foley, former pres. Of the Newspaper Guild.


1. Even though Gatehouse doesn’t have to accept the contract, they do have to recognize the union once a majority of the new workforce is composed of workers from the former employer, the union is considered the representative of employees in the new workforce. (Because the Beacon is a daily newspaper, this is a likely scenario.). That means working conditions cannot be changed without the union’s agreement. An obligation to bargain a new contract also attaches. I know that’s not much consolation for losing hard-fought benefits, but it does mean you are not powerless.

2. Health insurance — They are obligated by law to continue your insurance for 18 months (I think) after the “qualifying” event that caused you to lose your benefits. You must pay the premiums, but it would be at the group rate. You do not have to pay a premium until 45 days after the “qualifying” event.

3. Any grievances, unfair labor practice charges, EEO charges, etc. attach to the new employer if they are not resolved before the hand-off.

4. Any “anti-union animus” demonstrated by the employer in its “hiring” should be called out and prosecuted.

Wandering wonderings of a worrywart

Reading tea leaves is rather tricky, particularly in a scary situation like Gatehouse Media’s $16 million purchase of the BJ and Ohio.com.

But I’ll have a go at it, from the relative safety of 22 years of BJ retirement and 85 years of age. The undertaker might get me before Gatehouse does.

First warning sign: Gatehouse is taking a SHORT-term lease on the 44 E. Exchange Street building, which still is owned by Canadian Black Press.

That means the BJ, down to 165 full-time employees (the newsroom alone had more than that the day I retired in 1996), and without a printing press for years, can move and become a storefront newspaper.

Will editor Bruce Winges keep his job a year or so down the road? New owners like to have their people running the show after the old management shows them the ropes.

More than 60 Gatehouse Media Ohio publications and websites reach more than 4.2 million adults a month in Ohio. So one voice can pretty well tell the citizens what it wants them to know.

Diverse media sites are a good thing for democracy.

Gatehouse will make take-it-or-leave job offers to current Ol’ Blue Walls employees. That sounds like more pay cuts for a group that already has taken financial hits in recent years.

BJ workers have to decide before May whether to accept whatever Gatehouse offers or leave.

Pittsford, N.Y.-based Gatehouse itself emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2013 and expanded exponentially to than 140 daily newspapers. In a business sector that has gone from cash cows to survival mode. That can be a house of cards that tumble overnight.

John Knight took his father’s heavily in debt newspaper and grew it into 32 newspapers and 18,000 employees. Ancient, but beloved history.

JSK always felt, and often said, that its people are what made Ol’ Blue Walls and Knight Newspapers great.

Let’s hope the new owners realize that.

Four Pulitzers didn’t happen by accident.

Columnist Bob Dyer, for example, is almost automatic for Ohio Columnist of the Year nearly every year.

Mark J. Price plumbs area history with aplomb.

Paula Schleis, Cheryl Powell, Betty Lin-Fisher, Doug Livingston, Michael Douglas and Katie Byard are assets every newspaper needs.

And that’s just off the top of my head.

I admire the troops; I don't trust management once JSK left the building.

Hopefully, Greathouse won’t go with those who will work the cheapest instead of those who can continue the glory that has been the Beacon Journal for a century or so.

Stay tuned. The cat eventually will be out of the bag.