RIP, BARBERTON HERALD, 100 YEARS OLD

 

Barberton Herald dies at age of 100

 

Since 2004, the U.S. has lost more than 2,000 newspapers. Add the 100-year-old Barberton Herald to the dismal list. Thursday’s edition will be its last.

the Herald began publishing in Barberton in 1923, moving from Kenmore, where it started in 1921. It moved into its current location on Fourth Street Northwest in 1967.

 

The Herald began publishing in Barberton in 1923, moving from Kenmore, where it started in 1921. It moved into its current location on Fourth Street Northwest in 1967.

 

The Geauga Times Leader in Chardon, Ohio gave up a few years back.

Barberton mayor William Judge said it’s bad for a community to rely on social media rather than its local newspaper for the truth.

West Side Leader and South Side Leader publisher Clark Burns said he will increase Barberton news coverage to partially fill the gap of information for Barberton residents. The BJ also said it will focus more on Barberton.

JERRY STAPLETON, RITA'S BROTHER, PASSES AWAY IN FLORIDA

 

Rita Fay Stapleton, who worked in nearly every department during her 42 years at the BJ, filed this sad news:

 

“My only brother, Jerry Stapleton passed away Wed. Dec. 14. He was raised in Randolph, graduated and played football for Akron U, became a 1^st Lieutenant in the Army during the Vietnam years, became a State Farm Agent in Solon.

 

“He and his wife Patty moved to (Valrico) Florida after he retired. His son, Shannon, called me from the Ukraine and notified me of his passing. He was on assignment there as a photojournalist with Reuter News Agency.

 

“He was a very good husband, father, grandpa and brother. We will miss him greatly.

 

“Jerry and (newsroom editor) Sandy Levenson both had esophageal cancer around the same time. Sandy’s wife and my sister-in-law connected. They both had the same doctor.

 

“Jerry later had prostate cancer and he withered away to 123 lbs. He is no longer struggling.

 

“Rita was a fixture in Composing for almost half a century. She recalls: “I spent 42 years there. It felt like my second home.”

 

Rita retired in 2011 on the same day as David Cummings. Both had been at the BJ for 42 years!

In retirement Rita “helped with the USO of North Canton, visited my 88-year-old dad more often, played tennis and in general just having a good ol’ time.”

Rita started out as a typesetter in November 1968, did paste-up, proofreading, worked the computer room, Camex operator, worked in CTS in graphics arts, then data entry, then worked in call center typing and was switched to operating the tearsheet room for a few years before it got phased out.

Went from there temporarily to finance before ending up in Marketing and helped with Newspaper in Education and anywhere else when needed. Ended up in the packaging department before finally retiring.

It was a fun time working with all the printers. Enjoyed all the excitement of helping put the paper to bed on night shift and all the comradeship of the men, never a dull moment.

She concluded: “It was a blessing to have worked for such a fine newspaper, especially when times were great.”

Mandy Gillis said of Jerry: “He was a good guy! Watched out for the neighborhood kids” in Randolph, where Mandy grew up before winding up in Tallmadge, where I live, too, after four decades in Cuyahoga Falls during my 26 years at my beloved BJ.

TERRY TAYLOR, MARIEDNA TAYLOR'S HUSBAND, PASSES AWAY

 

Terry Taylor, husband of Mariedna Taylor, BJ Payroll for 22 years still her 2018 retirement, passed away Tuesday, December 6.

Mariedna received a Beacon Journal’s Brightest award in 2017 on the same day as Rick Armond and Frank Palcko.

Karen Jones, BJ benefits coordinator who lives in Tallmadge, tipped me off.

Terry’s obituary:

In Loving Memory of Terence Lee "Terry" Taylor 1944 - 2022

 

Terence “Terry” Taylor, 78, met his heavenly gate invitation, peacefully, at home on December 6^th, 2022.

His legacy is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Mariedna S Taylor; his daughters, Erica (John) Taylor, Kelly (Kip) Welty, Robin (Scott) French and his son, Gregory Taylor; his sister, Kathy (Richard) Goocher and his brother, Jeff Taylor.

Preceded in death was his mother, Agnes, his father, Dale Dirk Taylor; and his brother, Scott Alan Taylor. He will also be deeply missed by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Terry always appreciated spending time with family, whether it was on a boat, travelling in the car on fun road trips, or to the infamous White Sox vs Indians games. Also, throughout the years, he has enjoyed golfing, bowling, hunting and fishing. Each and every one of these pursuits were always approached with a great deal of planning and great enthusiasm.

Born the eldest of four children, Terry was engrained with the responsibility of a leader. Throughout his career in engineering and various leagues, whether it be Boy Scouts or otherwise, he has always taken the initiative to take on more responsibility by being in a leadership role. Always the one to see through things to the end, he would make sacrifices to make deadlines for newsletters and action plans for his leagues.

Terry enjoyed many, and seemingly endless, nights of Sunday evening rivalrous games of Euchre and Cribbage. A man full of sharp-witted comments and clever phrases was always said with a smirk or a laughter that made his shoulders jump, especially if it was particularly witty.

Defeats never went un-noticed and would often be called ‘muggins’. Or the first points made in the game would always be called, “first blood”.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 12, 2022 at 1 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 North Canton Road, Akron, Ohio 44305, where Rev. David Weyrick will celebrate Terry's life. Family and friends may visit at the funeral home on Monday from 11:00 AM until the service time at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made directly to Stow Presbyterian Church, 4150 Fishcreek Road, Stow, OH 44224. 

Services & Gatherings Visitation: Monday, December 12, 2022 from 11:00am to 1:00pm Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions 131 North Canton Rd Akron, OH 44305 330-784-3334

MARY KAY QUINN LATEST VICTIM OF BJ EXODUS TSUNAMI

 

Add Mary Kay Quinn to never-ending BJ exodus

 

Mary Kay Quinn, who was BJ editorial page editor, Metro reporter and editor and both BJ and Hudson Hub-Times regional opinion and engagement editor, has been eliminated from her BJ job. Mary Kay began at Ol' Blue Walls in 1996, 

the year I retired from 44 E. Exchange Street after 26 fantastic years there.

Earlier this year she was awarded second place for editorial page writing in the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors honors.

She posted on her Facebook page:

“Found out my ‘position is being eliminated’ this morning. Not surprised, the way things have been going. Fortunately, they will be giving me a nice severance and my health care runs until the end of this year. Last day is Dec. 9. Good luck to those who remain!”

Indeed, it’s like hearing a dirge from the dance band on the Titanic at the BJ these days.

Marla Ridenour, Jim Mackinnon, Karren Schiely and Scot Fagerstrom took buyouts in November.

In the 2001 exodus were sports columnist Tom Melody, chief artist Art Krummel, the copy desk’s Sandy Levenson, columnist Mickey Porter, Features Department editor Joan Rice, superb writer Bill Bierman, Reference Librarian Diane Lynch, copy editor George Davis, editorial board member Tim Hayes, Metro reporters Bill Canterbury, Bob Hoiles and Dennis McEaneney, Mark Braykovich, reporter Barb Mudrak Galloway, columnist Steve Love, Jim Quinn, religion writer Laura Haferd and Terence Oliver.

 

In the 2006 exodus were editor Bonnie Bolden; clerk Barbara Albrecht, artist Dennis Balogh, reporters Gary Estwick and Mary Ethridge, columnist Diane Papparone Evans, copy editor Tim Good, reporter Andale Gross, copy editor Erin Hill, reporter Gloria Irwin, copy editors Jim Kavanagh and Jody Kraner, reporter Delano Massey, copy editor Kim Profant, reporter Tom Reed, photographers Robin Sallie and Lindsay Sample, food writer Jane Snow, reporter Kathy Spitz, copy editor Chiffon Staebler, copy editor  Debbie Stock Kiefer, editorial writer Sarah Vradenburg, reporter Judie Wallace and photographer Jocelyn Williams.

In the 2008 exodus were city hall reporter Carl Chancellor, deputy Metro editor Keith McKnight, Metro editor Ann Sheldon Mezger, columnist David Giffels, cartoonist Chip Bok and classic music critic Elaine Guregian.

We are getting nearer and nearer to this notice:

“Will the last person who leaves the BJ please turn off the lights.”

GREG KORTE TO COVER CITY HALL . . . IN NEW YORK CITY!!!

 

Ohio University graduate Greg Korte, BJ Metro reporter 1997-2001, will be covering New York City Hall for Bloomberg News.

 

Korte is from Cincinnati, where he began his reporting career with the Cincinnati Enquirer. He also was White House correspondent for USA Today, covering President Trump.

 

Greg posted:

 

“I've been in Washington 12 years and have had the chance to cover Congress, the White House and a few presidential campaigns. But I often tell people I'm really just an overgrown City Hall reporter.

 

”So today I'm excited to let everyone know I'm starting a short stint covering the most overgrown City Hall in the country. I'll be filling in for the next three months or so at New York City Hall for Bloomberg News.

 

“I'll try not to clutter up my Facebook feed with stories of the War on Rats, traffic-congestion pricing, parking tickets and Mayor Eric Adams' political ambitions, but you can follow all that on my professional page.

 

https://www.facebook.com/gregorykortenews

 

 

“And if you're in the Big Apple, let's connect sometime!”

 

 

Korte lives in Bethesa, Maryland with wife Lisa Huey Korte. They met while students at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

 

His email address is gregorykorte@gmail.com

MITCH & KIM McKENNEY CELEBRATE 28th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

 

Kent State graduate Mitch McKenney, one of many who went from the BJ (after 18 years) to the Kent State University faculty (in 2008), and Kim McKenney celebrated their 28^th wedding anniversary Saturday, November 19.

Mitch posted:

”28 years later, still smiling. I love you, Kim!”

They spent their 2017 wedding anniversary in Paris, appropriately The City of Love. Paula Tucker and I spent a week in Paris for one of our living-together anniversaries.

Mitch joined the BJ in 1998 as a deputy Metro editor, and later features editor and online editor.

He came to the Beacon after stops at the Palm Beach (Florida) Post and the Rochester (New York) Times-Union.

Mitch is associate professor and student media adviser at Kent State School of Media and Journalism.

Mitch and Kim live in Hartville. Their children are Brynn McKenney, also a Kent State graduate who still lives in Kent; Connor McKenney, a Kent State graduate living in Hartville as is an elementary school teacher, and Suzanne McKenney Newman.

Mitch and I had a pleasant chat at the BJ Newsroom Alumni reunion at Wingfoot Park this year.

MARGARET NEUMANN DIETZ, WIDOW OF BJ'S DICK DIETZ, PASSES AWAY

 

 

 

Margaret Neumann Dietz, widow of long-ago BJ employee Dick Dietz, passed away Tuesday, November 1. 

Dick, who became a Selvage, Lee & Howard public relations firm executive in Cleveland after left he WAKR radio and television where he was a news director, was on assignment for S, L & H when he was injured fatally in a 1971 Princeton, New Jersey auto accident. He was 45 years old. 

Dick and Margaret's children are John, Henry, Fred and Susan.

Margaret was a stringer for the Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald while in high school. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate became wire editor of the Kearney (Nebraska) Daily Hub, then full-timer at the Omaha World-Herald, master’s degree from Columbia Journalism School, where she met her husband.

They eloped and moved to Akron when Dick began at the BJ. Later, who joined  WAKR radio and television before he switched to the public relations firm. 

Then came four children and an active life in the community, including the League of Women Voters and the Akron-Summit County public library as publicity/display department director and, later, Northeast Ohio Medical (NEOMED) public information officer and, by her retirement, Office of Communications director. And then the Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier where she wrote the weekly “About People” column.

Margaret and Dick’s daughter, Susan Dietz Pardee, is University Heights vice mayor after serving a few terms on the city council and School Improvement/Federal Programs coordinator at Cleveland Heights-University Heights school district.

Margaret’s obituary:

Margaret J. Dietz

4/15/1924 - 11/1/2022

 

Margaret J. Dietz lived her 98 ½ years to the fullest, from breaking ground in the workplace to enthusiastically supporting the local theatre scene. She lived through tragedy, ran successful events throughout her community, traveled, explored, and always brightened your day with a cheerful, welcoming smile. She firmly believed in focusing on the positive.

 

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, she was introduced to journalism when her high school English teacher sent her to help out on the school paper. From that moment on, she was hooked, becoming the editor and a stringer (freelancer) for the Omaha World-Herald. As a senior, she was asked to be a model in a city-wide style show which tickled her mother no end. However, that was the go-to–press night for the student paper and Margaret bowed out of the style show: “Mother was furious that I would swap a chance to do something “socially acceptable” for that ‘grubby’ newspaper.”

 

After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Margaret landed a position on the Kearney (Nebraska) Daily Hub as a wire editor, also learning to set type after impressing her colleagues with her ability to read copy upside down. She moved on to the Omaha World-Herald, and after a few years enrolled at Columbia Journalism School for a Master’s degree where, as one of fifteen women in a class of sixty-five, she soaked up NewYork City and took particular pleasure in covering the Dewey-Truman election in 1948.

 

Margaret met her husband, Dick Dietz, in that Journalism program. They eloped (making BOTH sets of parents furious) and moved to Akron, Ohio for Dick’s job at the Akron Beacon Journal. Moving from the West to the East and landing in the Midwest, Margaret and Dick eventually found a wonderful west Akron neighborhood on Moreley Avenue. Adding their four children to the neighborhood teeming with kids, she settled in and found friends for life among the families on the street. During that time, she volunteered with the League of Women Voters and the College Club. Their home also put out the print communications for the fledgling neighborhood community group West Side Neighbors.

 

Restless and always meant to run something, Margaret reported that by the time her youngest was three, he was bored, she was bored and it was time for something different. He went happily to pre-school and she went to work for the Akron Summit County Public Library system, rising to direct the Publicity/Display department, staffed by a wonderful group of creative artists who remained friends for life. Unfortunately, Margaret lost her husband and youngest son in a car accident in the middle of her life (1971).

 

She changed direction and moved from her beloved library system to the newly chartered Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (now NEOMED). As its first Public Information Officer, she liaised with NEOMED and the three universities feeding into NEOMED - Akron, Kent and Youngstown. She retired as the Director of the Office of Communications and swept along new friends for life.

 

However, retirement was never for her. She moved to the Record Courier (serving Kent-Ravenna) for another four years and wrote a weekly “About People” column, profiling significant women (she had a ball). Margaret found time to write two histories, Akron’s Library: Commemorating Twenty Five Years onMain Street, and Silver Reflections: A History of the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. Along the way she volunteered on the Boards for Project LEARN, Family Services, the American Heart Association, Mobile Meals Foundation and many more.

 

Awarded many honors, one of her proudest was the John S. Knight award, received in 1995. But her great love was Weathervane Playhouse, where she volunteered most of her life in Akron, serving in many capacities including two terms as President of the Board. In her later years she kept her annual play subscription and took all who visited to plays at Weathervane.

 

Margaret was a staunch and loyal friend. She began a pen pal correspondence with a young Girl Guide in England when she was 15 and kept up that correspondence for 83 years. She adopted decrepit needy cats; loved hosting children, grandchildren and friends from near and far; and brought light into the lives of all who knew her.

 

Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Richard H. Dietz, sons John and Frederick, son-in-law Eric A. Pardee and sister, Mary Louise Brady. She is survived by son Henry Dietz, daughter Susan Dietz Pardee, grandchildren John, Kristen, Becky, Alex, Andrew, Kelsey, Elisabeth, Val, Sarah, Liza, Stephanie, Anthony and Christy and many great grandchildren.

 

A celebration of life is scheduled at Weathervane Community Playhouse in Akron on Friday, April 14 in the late afternoon. Please consider donating to Weathervane Playhouse or another charity of your choice.

CINDA WILLIAMS CHIMA PROMOTING HER 14th (!!!) YOUNG ADULT BOOK

 

Cinda Williams Chima, who worked in the BJ classified phone room in the 1970s, was in Wooster on Saturday for the Buckeye Book Fair, to promote her 14^th young adult book,  “Children of Ragnarok,” a Viking tale. Cinda also spent time as a clinical dietician. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Her siblings are BJ Advertising Art retiree Mike Williams and BJ information technology retiree Linda Williams Torson, who lives in Doylestown with her husband, Akron-Summit County Metroparks retiree Tim Torson. Linda was with the Beacon Journal for 42 years, retiring in 2012. Cinda and Linda are fraternal twins (2 eggs impregnated separately and then born at the same time). Mike was the BJ from 1968 till 2012. He married Jane Williams.

It’s not Cinda’s first rodeo at the Buckeye Book Fair or elsewhere.

In 2018 former BJ ads-taker Cinda Williams Chima joined former BJ reporter Thrity Umbrigar to take part in the Tucson Festival of Books.

In 2014 Thrity was keynote speaker and Cinda participated in the Case Western Reserve University writing conference. Thirty is a professor at Case.

Cinda’s previous works include
Warrior Heir
Wizard Heir
Dragon Heir
The Demon King
The Exiled Queen
The Gray Wolf Throne

BILL AYLWARD'S WIDOW, DOROTHY, PASSES AWAY

 

Dorothy Marie Aylward, widow of Bill Aylward, at the BJ for 50 years and assistant Circulation director when he retired in 1991. Bill passed away in 2013 at the age of 91.

The Aylward family was a fixture at the BJ (it’s where Dorothy and Bill first met). Bill’s father, Ed Aylward, was there 46 years. Ed’s children Joe Aylward, 47 years; and John, 32 years.

Dorothy’s obituary:

Dorothy Aylward

FAIRLAWN - Dorothy Marie Aylward, 92, passed away peacefully at The Village of St. Edward Fairlawn Memory Care on November 4, 2022.

Dorothy was born on December 7, 1929, in Akron. She graduated from St. Sebastian Elementary School and Sacred Heart Academy. She attended The University of Akron for one year, where she was crowned Miss University of Akron in 1948. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta.

 

Mom met our Dad at The Akron Beacon Journal where they both worked. They were married 62 years. They raised six children, had 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

 

Mom was a homemaker for several years before she worked for Polsky’s at Summit Mall, then she became a bank teller at TransOhio Savings Bank, from where she retired. Our parents enjoyed their retirement years spending time with family, attending grandchildren activities, traveling, and her famous Sunday dinners. She was an accomplished seamstress, and also enjoyed gardening, walking, reading, shopping with her daughters and lunching with her girlfriends.

 

Volunteering and her faith were a staple in Dorothy’s life. She volunteered at Ronald McDonald House, East Akron Community Center, St. Sebastian Rectory, Santa’s Helper, The Kidney Foundation of Summit County, Christ Child Society, and Good Samaritan Hunger Center. Mom was named a Lifetime Member of the Little Flower Garden Club at St. Sebastian.

 

Dorothy was preceded in death by her loving husband Bill, son Mark, sons-in-law TomHenretta and JohnNicolino, parents Bill and Rose Stampfli, brother Bill and Joan Stampfli.

 

Left to mourn her loss are her children: Aileen Nicolino, Maureen Barcic, Tim, Carolyn Henretta and Larry (Mindy), her sister Lucille (Bill) Westerman, sister-in-law Geri Aylward, grandchildren Katie, John and Mary Nicolino, Julie, Kelly and Bill Barcic, Joe and Mike (Ally) Aylward, Matthew (Hannah) Seikel, Jacob and Spencer Aylward, six great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and her dear friend June Cunningham.

 

The family would like to thank The Village of St. Edward Fairlawn Memory Care staff for their amazing care to our dear mom for almost four years. We also would like to thank Elara Caring Hospice for their kindness and care these past few months.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 7, 2022 at 11AM at St. Sebastian Church, 476 Mull Avenue, Akron. Calling hours at the church one hour before mass. Burial at Holy Cross. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to The Aylward Family Scholarship Fund, Archbishop Hoban High School, One Holy Cross Blvd, Akron, Ohio 44306.

 

Mom, you had a beautiful, long life filled with faith and kindness. We will miss you terribly. You taught us so much. Now you can rest.

RIDENOUR, MACKINNON, SCHIELY, SCOT FAGERSTROM TAKE GANNETT BUYOUTS AND ARE LEAVING BJ

 

And the exit dirge goes on

It’s not quite as large a crowd as the 2016 exodus when more than 500 years of experience walked out the BJ door on the same day, but Marla Ridenour, Jim Mackinnon, Karren Schiely and Scot Fagerstrom have accepted the latest Gannett buyout and will be ending their BJ careers.

There will be a Saturday, November 5 gathering (on my 90^th birthday, incidentally) for the quality quartet in the Missing Falls Brewery, 540 S. Main Street, Suite 112 in Akron open to ALL BJ alumni.

Betty Lin-Fisher, who posted the news, will turn any electronic payments (only, no later than Thursday) donations into farewell gift cards for the foursome. Drinks and food will be available for participants to purchase.

Betty added:

If you do PayPal, please choose “friends and family” (not goods and services) so PayPal doesn’t charge us and take some of the money as fees. (Or better yet, choose one of the other options).

Venmo: @Betty-Lin-Fisher

PayPal: blinfish70@gmail.com

Zelle: 330-607-0718

The 2016 exodus was preceded by, in 2001, the departure of ports columnist Tom Melody, chief artist Art Krummel, the copy desk’s Sandy Levenson, columnist Mickey Porter, Features Department editor Joan Rice, superb writer Bill Bierman, Reference Librarian Diane Lynch, copy editor George Davis, editorial board member Tim Hayes, Metro reporters Bill Canterbury, Bob Hoiles and Dennis McEaneney, Mark Braykovich, reporter Barb Mudrak Galloway, columnist Steve Love, Jim Quinn, religion writer Laura Haferd and Terence Oliver.

 

In 2006 24 left with 335 years of service, including Bonnie Bolden, wife of former editor Bruce Winges; clerk Barbara Albrecht, artist Dennis Balogh, reporters Gary Estwick and Mary Ethridge, columnist Diane Papparone Evans, copy editor Tim Good, reporter Andale Gross, copy editor Erin Hill, reporter Gloria Irwin, copy editors Jim Kavanagh, who went to CNN, and Jody Kraner, reporter Delano Massey, copy editor Kim Profant, reporter Tom Reed, photographers Robin Sallie and Lindsay Sample, food writer Jane Snow, reporter Kathy Spitz, reporter; Chiffon Staebler, copy editor  Debbie Stock Kiefer, editorial writer Sarah Vradenburg, reporter Judie Wallace and photographer Jocelyn Williams.

 

Newsroom managers laid off or took voluntary resignations besides Bonnie were Dave Wilson, David Hertz, Susan Kirkman, Michael Needs and Debra Adams Simmons.

 

In 2008 there were 18 departures with 273 years of service, including city hall reporter Carl Chancellor, deputy Metro editor Keith McKnight, Metro editor Ann Sheldon Mezger, columnist David Giffels, cartoonist Chip Bok and classic music critic Elaine Guregian.

 

Since that horrible day in 2001, the BJ has lost more than 2,000 years of newspaper experience, most of it while at 44 E. Exchange Street. About 100 left, not through retirement, as I did in 1996, or getting a job elsewhere.

We are getting nearer and nearer to this notice:

“Will the last person who leaves the BJ please turn off the lights.”

My heart can’t stand much more of this from what once was the shining light of Ohio newspapers. And I sympathize greatly with those still remaining with ever-heavier loads because so many staffers are gone.

ALL THAT FUN AND MONEY FOR JSK SCHOLARSHIP FUND, TOO!

 

On top of the fantastic fun that rekindled great memories the September 15 BJ Newsroom Alumni picnic at Wingfoot Lake Park brought $281.14 to the JSK Scholarship Fund!

The amazing Roger Mezger provided this ultra-detailed report:

Here's the final financial report on last month's newsroom alumni picnic at Wingfoot Lake State Park:

 

“In all, 116 people either pre-registered or paid the $10 per person fee at the door (that includes BJ people and guests) for a total of $1,160. In addition, some people paid more than $10 or made separate donations. That added $305 to the picnic fund, bringing total income to $1,465.

 

“Expenses were $1,183.86. That included everything from rental fees for the shelter and the chill tables that kept food cold (a BRILLIANT idea, Roger!), a liquor license so people could bring alcoholic beverages if they wished, sandwiches, pizza, water, ice and all the usual supplies you need for a picnic.

 

“That left a surplus of $281.14 that this week will be donated to the JSK scholarship fund in the name of Beacon Journal Newsroom Alumni.

 

“In 2019, 146 people registered for that year's picnic at $10 a person, bringing in a shade under $1,460 because PayPal charged transaction fees on two payments. But to keep it simple we'll go with $1,460 for comparison. The bank we used in 2019 paid us a $100 bonus for opening an account and we received about $238 in donations, pushing total income to a few cents over $1,798. Expenses three years ago were $1,291, even though we were planning for a much larger group. That left a surplus of a little over $507 that we donated to the JSK scholarship fund.

 

“The effects of inflation were evident this year. Though we bought less, we paid more for it. Whereas three years ago the $10 registration fee was more than enough to cover expenses, this year we would have come up about $25 short if the same $10 fee had been the only source of income. So special thanks to those who kicked in a little extra to get us over the hump.

 

“I have detailed reports on income and expenses if anyone cares to see them. Just DM me and I'll send them your way. Thanks for attending and making this year's picnic another success!”

 

And thank you, Roger and your wife Ann Sheldon Mezger, Andrea Louie for the fantastic centerpiece, Katie Byard for helping organize the reunion. And everyone who showed up to remind me why I enjoyed being with them at 44 E. Exchange Street during the Glory Days!

REGINA MEDINA'S LATEST NPR APPEARANCE: GEORGE FLOYD DEATH

 

Former Beacon Journal business reporter Regina Medina (1994-95) popped up on National Public Radio again.

Her latest topic was the two former police officers arrested over the death of George Floyd, which set off protests in EVERY state in America and major cities around the world – more than 2,000 protests!

One of the officers, J. Alexander Kueng, pled guilty on Monday to aiding and abetting in manslaughter. He’ll get 42 months in prison.

The other officer, Thou Thao, asked the Minneapolis judge to decide his case and not a jury.

Both officers are in prison after being convicted in a federal court of violating Floyd’s civil rights.

Officer Derek Chauvin, who already had 17 misconduct complaints, kept his knee on Floyd’s neck for almost 10 minutes despite Floyd saying “I can’t breathe.” Police were called when a convenience store clerk suspect that Floyd had paid with a phony $20 bill. Chauvin was sentenced to 22½ years in prison.