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.”