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.

ADD PARADE MAGAZINE TO PRINTING EXIT PARADE

 Parade joins print demise parade

Parade Magazine, which first appeared in print in 1941 with Marshall Field as its creator, will end its print life after the November 13 edition.

Parade will join the parade to digital-only (online) media.

The Arena Group, which also has Sports Illustrated, bought Parade this year and quickly lost interest in print versions.

By 2013, Parade was the most widely read magazine in the United States with a circulation of 32 million and a readership of 54 million. No any more. More amazing crash than the 1928 stock market version.

New York Herald Tribune publish John Hay Whitney purchased Parade in 1958. Booth Newspapers became the new owner in 1973. By 1976 it was an Advance Publications subsidiary.

Newspapers are dying at the rate of two every week in America. 2,500 have closed since 2004!

Only trees are benefitting from the switch from rolling newspaper presses to online versions. Certainly not democracy, which is losing its watchdogs of political obscenities and financial immorality.

SUSAN GIPPIN'S MOTHER PASSES AWAY

 

Former BJ political reporter Susan Smith Gippin’s mother, Phyllis Smith, passed away September 23 in Altoona, Iowa.

Susan posted:

Some of you may already know, my mother, Phyllis J. Smith passed away in her sleep Sept. 23 at her retirement home in Altoona, Iowa. While not unexpected, it was still a shock. Our family and friends share many fond memories of her.

 

Susan’s father, Carmi Gippin, predeceased her mother.

Susan studied creative writing at Cleveland State University, journalism and public affairs at American University and at Iowa State University after her graduation from high school. She grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. Susan lives in Akron with husband Bob Gippin.

Her mother’s obituary:

Phyllis J. Smith, 95, passed away peacefully of natural causes on September 23, 2022 at her care center at Prairie Vista Village in Altoona, Iowa. Phyllis Jean Montgomery was born September 5, 1927 in Grinnell, Iowa to Hugh and Ada Montgomery and raised on a farm near Brooklyn, Iowa. She graduated from Brooklyn High School in 1944 after which she attended American Institute of Business (AIB) in Des Moines.

In 1947 she met and married her lifelong partner Carmi J. Smith. They lived in Des Moines, where they raised two daughters near Grandview Park, and Altoona before his death in 2017. Phyllis worked with Carmi in the photography and printing business with Phyllis serving as bookkeeper. Phyllis also served as financial records keeper for various social clubs she joined. Phyllis had many interests including quilting, reading, genealogy, playing bridge, bowling, golf, computer solitaire, car rallies, watching TV sports and was a devoted Iowa State Cyclone fan, alma mater of her daughters. She was a life-long member of the Order of Eastern Star. She loved music and had a lovely alto singing voice.

She often volunteered for Girl Scout and Campfire Girl outings with her daughters and East High School Band Boosters. She was regarded as a loyal and supportive friend to the families who raised their children at E. 31st St. Ct. on Des Moines’s eastside. The neighborhood women maintained a monthly coffee klatch long after their children left home to attend college or work. She was a member of Union Park United Methodist Church.

She loved to travel, organizing annual two-week camping vacations that took the family to the US Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Washington, D.C. and Canada. She traveled twice to Europe with Carmi.

Phyllis is survived by her daughters Katlin Smith (Gary Kokstis) of Vancouver, WA and Susan Smith Gippin (Robert Gippin) of Akron, Ohio and granddaughter Alanna Gippin (Andrew Dahl) of Lynnwood, WA. She is also survived by five step-grandchildren and six step great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Carmi; her parents and infant sister, Frances; and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.

Memorial donations may be made in Phyllis’s name to Food Bank of Iowa. foodbankiowa.org/donate The family wishes to express deep gratitude to Prairie Vista Village and Suncrest Home Health and Hospice for their loving care of Phyllis. There are no services planned at this time. A memorial service will be scheduled for a later date. Phyllis’s cremated remains will be laid to rest next to Carmi at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com.

UPDATE ON DAMAGE TO BOB CARPENTER PROPERTY IN PUNTA GORDA FROM IAN

 

Bob Carpenter, who was WKNT radio news director in Kent before fleeing to Punta Gorda, Florida, smack-dab in the middle of the Hurricane Ian landfall, gives an update on their experience:

 

“GREETINGS FROM HELL! Yes, Kaye, Cruise and I survived. Lost many shingles on roof to Ian. Neighbors put up tarp. We lost 11 trees and bamboo, and our lil’ garden oasis is wiped out.

 

“Power is back after 9 days of generator noise. Still do not have Comcast or WiFi as cable ripped from house. Cleaning up and hauling debris to street side continues thanks to my chainsaw, rakes, garden buggy and pitchfork. About 30+ loads so far.

 

“Ian hit Sep. 28, we were at the local Days Inn. Kaye’s Colitis/Diverticulosis went rampant and she’s been in the hospital since last Wednesday; not sure when she will be released. I had surgery on my left ear and neck just before Ian to remove Basel Cell Carcenomas...the 28 stitches came out Friday.

“Our insurance man is coming Oct. 18th so we can proceed. Cruise (the family dog) is glad to have his backyard temporarily fixed after trees smashed two sections of chain link fence.

“Sorry we haven’t been able to communicate as towers went down and WiFi or phone work very little. Thanks to all for your concerns about our safety...it is appreciated. Don’t be offended if I cannot make replies.....hope we get out of this living hell soon.

 

“THANK YOU! Carp, Kaye and Cruise”

 

Punta Gorda was declared part of the disaster area by federal authorities.

 

Bob, who worked with Paula’s late husband, Jeff Tucker, as KSU broadcasting students at WKSU and Kent’s WKNT.

 

He is former executive director of the Punta Gorda Business Alliance and an award-winning public information officer with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Bob moved to Maui, Hawaii in the mid-70s.

 

Paula and I have had visits with Bob and wife Kaye, who have been married for 51 years, when we spent long winter months in The Villages, Florida.

MARK, OH MARK OH, WHEREFORE ART THOU? 40 YEARS OF MARRIAGE FOR DAWIDZIAKS

 

Former BJ pop culture critic Mark Dawidziak and his co-star for life, Sara Showman, both in marriage and on stage, celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary Sunday, October 9.

 

Mark posted:

 

“Forty years ago today . . . Oct. 9, 1982. We had met about a year before . . . we'd done two plays together during the next twelve months . . . and then we made the co-star billing official. I've never stopped telling the world how incredibly fortunate and blessed I am. I suppose a 40th anniversary is a special day for taking note of such things, but the truth is that I celebrate this every day.”

 

The co-star in the Large Literary Theater Company productions – Twain, Poe, Civil War, etc. – around Ohio and in other states.

 

Their cat is named Poe. Yes! Forevermore!

 

Mark’s book about Edgar Allan Poe will hit the light of day on February 14, 2023.

 

Mark once expressed my opinion of my BJ days in giving his memories of 44 E. Exchange Street:

 

I'm glad we knew journalism when newspapers mattered, and I'm glad we knew a thriving Beacon Journal. We will not see their like again. We were incredibly fortunate.

 

Indeed, Mark. Incredibly fortunate. As are you and Sara to have found each other on stage and exited stage right into a 40-year marriage.

CHAR'S SCARY MOMENTS AT CLEVELAND CLINIC

 

Scary time for Char

Retired BJ reporter Charlene Nevada got a huge scare a day after her surgery in Cleveland Clinic. Her oxygen level went into freefall and a dozen people “with back packs were called in for quick testing,” Char reported Saturday. “But I’m OK.”

 

She adds that she hopes to go home Sunday. So do we.

MARK AND POE ENTWINED FOREVERMORE

 

At long last former BJ pop culture critic (when I was technically his boss) Mark Dawidziak’s book about Edgar Allan Poe will hit the light of day on February 14, 2023.

 

Poe passed away 173 years ago.

 

Mark’s hook for “A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allen Poe” (Martin’s Press) is the mystery surrounding the day that Poe existed nevermore.

 

Mark has stalked Darren McGavin’s TV series, “The Night Stalker,” written one more thing about Peter Falk’s series, “Columbo.”

 

The name of Mark’s cat: Poe! Honestly. Forevermore.

 

I think Mark and former BJ columnist Thrity Umbrigar are in a marathon to see whose stack of books reaches Empire State Building height first.

 

The competition is stiff, though. David Bianculli, Regina Brett, Bob Dyer, David Giffels, Stuart Warner, Terry Pluto, Steve Love, Dick McBane, Russ Musarra, Jane Snow, Don Rosenberg, Brian Windhorst, Andrea Louie and Chuck Klosterman aren’t slouches either. And Chuck Ayers brings fictional characters to life with his drawings for comics (OK, graphic novels) and books.

 

All are among the many talented writers who made my 26 years at 44 E. Exchange Street the most delightful stretch of my 43-year newspaper career.

MIKE CARDEW AND DIANE KILO MARRY

 

BJ picture editor and photographer Mike Cardew (since 1993) married Diane Kilo on Sunday, October 2 in Akron’s Greystone Hall.

Mike is an Ohio University graduate who lives in Akron.

Diane is an American Red Cross business operations coordinator.

Tony Douglas Rosner Kew was the best man.

Mike came to the BJ after spending his earlier career in Michigan.

Mike’s father, Richard Cardew, passed away in 2019.