Arizona Welcomes Jan McKinney

The Arizona group welcomes Jan McKinney as its newest sales consultant. Jan will work primarily with in the Northeast office, selling advertising for the Town of Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Biltmore Independents. Jan's advertising career in the Phoenix area spans over 25 years. She is the former advertising manager with the Daily News-Sun in Sun City, and for the past 13 years was a sales manager with The Arizona Republic.

Jan is a strong believer in community service and has served on a number of local boards, including the Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce, Sun City Visitors Center, Valley of the Sun United Way Steering Committee, Deer Valley Unified School District Education Board, New Life Center for Domestic Violence and the Arizona Republic's Season for Sharing Funding Allocation Committee.

"I've known Jan for over two decades," says Publisher Bret McKeand. "She is well known and respected in our industry and throughout the Valley, and she brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge. We're very excited -- and fortunate -- she's chosen to join our team!"

DSN Wins Bid For Dover Air Force Base Publication

The Delaware State News team was given an early Christmas present this week when they received the notice INI had won the bid to publish the Dover Air Force Base Airlifter newspaper. It is a six-year contract where Independent handles all of the publishing responsibilities for the newspaper except for the content, which is primarily supplied by the base.

The first edition being handled by INI is January 7th, so the everyone is scurrying around as fast as possible lining up the details and getting things ready to kick things off on the right foot.

Ed Dulin said "This is another big step forward for the company in becoming the number one newspaper publisher on the Delmarva peninsula. Both INI and the base personnel are excited about the new partnership and we look forward to a great relationship for years to come."

January Birthday List

1/1 , Matthew Waters , Delaware State News
1/6 , Jena Connor , Corporate
1/6 , Debra Luke , Corporate
1/7 , Philip Bisesi , Valley Newspaper Printing
1/7 , Jan-Dhu McKinney , Northeast Group Independent
1/13 , Yvonne Kirksey , Delaware State News
1/14 , Jasper Purnell , Delaware Printing Company
1/16 , John Redman , Delaware State News
1/16 , David Rehkamp , Delaware Printing Company
1/18 , Tina Griffith , Delaware Printing Company
1/18 , Sandra Stokes , Daily Banner
1/19 , Duane Clark , Sun City Independent
1/22 , Donny Jacobs , Valley Newspaper Printing
1/25 , Sharon Harvey , Delaware State News
1/29 , Michael Fenimore , Corporate

January Anniversary List

1/22 , 4 YRS , Logan Anderson , Delaware State News
1/5 , 2 YRS , Duane Clark , Sun City Independent
1/26 , 2 YRS , Scherie Drzymalski , Corporate
1/15 , 14 YRS , Robert Martin , Valley Newspaper Printing
1/16 , 4 YRS , Laura Riffle , Independent of Arizona
1/4 , 1 YRS , Lorraine Scibona , Apache Junction Independent
1/6 , 7 YRS , Dianna Sellers , Delaware State News
1/13 , 14 YRS , Judith Sheedy , Okeechobee News
1/1 , 52 YRS , Joel Smyth , Corporate

Judy Kasten Says Goodbye

Judy Kasten, who has been with INI for 31 years, was honored Thursday with a gift in appreciation of her years of service to the company. Judy plans to retire at the end of the month and move to Cocoa Beach. The presentation was made during a combination holiday party/retirement party at the Okeechobee News office with all of the INI Florida staffers in attendance.

A Salute and Congratulations to Judy Kasten

By Tom Byrd, Florida President/COO

Judy Kasten is retiring after 31 years at INI.

Recently we gathered in the Okeechobee office to honor Judy and salute her years of service and accomplishments.

In our celebration, attended by all Florida staff, we shared anecdotes – some amusing, some moving – from Judy’s eventful tenure with the company.

I recounted one of my favorite Judy “war stories”, one that has been in Press Lines before. On my prompting, Judy recalled the occasion in the old Arcadian office when two young boys brought in a live alligator they were hoping to be photographed with, since they had just caught it. When told what they had done was illegal, the boys dropped the alligator and ran, and Judy promptly jumped on her desk.

Judy dealt with her share of ‘alligators’ in her years with the company. Unlike live alligators, Judy always dealt with business ‘alligators’ head-on and with great gusto. In fact, I’ve seen few in my career who enjoyed tackling problems as much as Judy.

Judy excelled at solving problems. She always had a keen eye for detail and a willingness to roll her shirtsleeves up. Judy had a drive to get to the bottom of things if she saw something was not right.

As a leader, Judy could be counted on to understand both the need for change and to embrace it, thereby setting an example for others. Change is constant, and effective business leaders know they must be prepared to change and respond to conditions and opportunities faster than ever before. Right now, our company and our industry are in the throes of seismic change. I can say with conviction that Judy played a key role in successfully implementing some of the vital changes our company has made for the benefit of a more sustainable future.

In addition to her steady commitment to the company and its mission, Judy cared deeply about her team. I saw examples of this through good times and bad; through hurricanes and recessions, through triumphs and tragedies. Since Judy came up through the ranks herself, she had a knack for seeing the possibilities open to her staff, and conveying this optimism to them.

Judy was also highly competitive – an important trait for the aggressive world of advertising sales and community publishing. I experienced this side of Judy my very first week with INI. After a strategic planning retreat with the Florida management team in Clewiston, a local scavenger hunt by car had been arranged as a team building exercise. I was on a team with Joe Smyth and Ed Dulin, with Joe driving a rental car. We had a series of tasks that included picking up a clue at a local hardware store, meeting Newshound at another store, with the finish line at Roland Martin’s marina on Lake Okeechobee. We thought we were comfortably in the lead when Judy raced by in her minivan, beating us into the parking lot at Roland Martin’s. “Wow! Look at Judy Kasten.!” exclaimed Joe (paraphrasing J) “She really wants to win this thing!”

More recently, Joe Smyth had this to say about Judy and her retirement, which is effective December 31.

“I’ve always been proudest of the INIers who started out in entry level positions and worked themselves into positions of leadership. Judy is a great example. We’re all proud of her accomplishments, grateful for her many years of service and wishing her the best in her new home.”

I couldn’t agree more with the sentiments expressed by Joe. I am also personally grateful for the support and assistance she has provided me in my time at the company. I am sure everyone joins me in congratulating Judy and extending her our warmest wishes.

Prescription Pill Abuse Hits Home

Like communities across the nation, Okeechobee County is facing a growing drug problem. But this time the drug addicts are not people who experimented with illegal drugs and became hooked. In most cases, they started out with legal prescriptions from a doctor following an injury or a surgery. But once addicted to prescription pain pills, their lives changed.

Young people who did experiment with the pills often didn't start out buying them from a drug dealer -- they found easy access to the prescription pain pills in their own homes, stealing pills that were originally prescribed for parents and grandparents.

In October and November, a six part series on prescription pill addiction by Okeechobee News reporter Eric Kopp explored the issue of prescription pill addiction. The series included interviews with law enforcement officials, jail personnel who watch arrested addicts go through withdrawal, medical personnel, pharmacists, addicts and those who work with recovering addicts. One of the most interesting interviews in the series was that of a mother of three who holds a masters degree -- the last person anyone would suspect of drug addiction -- whose life spiraled out of control as she became more and more desperate for the pills she came to depend on just to feel normal.

The series sought to make the community aware of the magnitude of the prescription pill problem and the dangers of prescription pill addiction. And there are signs that the community members are waking up to the danger. On Nov. 20, the sheriff's office held "Operation Medicine Cabinet," asking community members to clean out their medicine cabinets and drop off any old prescription pills for safe disposal -- and collected more than 20,000 pills -- including "everything from Morphine to Oxycontin to Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and Xanax."

As the community continues to battle the problem of prescription pill addiction, the Okeechobee News will continue to cover the issue with both educational and informative articles. Unfortunately, this is not a story that will go away soon.

Valley Newspapers Makes Big Impression on Dow Jones

Valley Newspapers will become the printer of the Arizona editions of The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s in the fall of 2011. Valley’s Goss Magnum press capacity will be doubled to meet the color needs of its new and existing clients. “It’s a tribute to Steve Steinke and his team at Valley that a leading company like Dow Jones is trusting us to print their fine publications,” Independent CEO Joe Smyth said in making the announcement. “We’re very happy to find ourselves with this rare opportunity,” Steve said, “and we’re looking forward to rolling up our sleeves to make it happen”.

EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Nominations for Independent's annual Excellence Awards must be submitted by the last Friday in January. Nominations may be made by any employee. The nomination form and more details are available at http://www.newszap.com/excellenceawards/nominationform.html

“Gutsy Journalist” at Surprise Opens Public’s Eyes

Surprise News Editor Julie Maurer received several positive comments from readers regarding her story on school administrators’ salaries. Surprise resident Greg Evans had this to say:
“I am the person that called and left a message telling you how great your article was yesterday. You are a true gutsy journalist. Thank you so much for putting into the eyes of the public what few knew or even cared about.”

The Banner Spreads Sunshine in the Community

Hi Sylvia,

I hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend. Now that we're back at work, I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you very much for the coverage of Small Business Saturday and the Joie de Vivre anniversary in last week's paper. It was really a great help to a couple of good causes.

Best, Jim Duffy
Cambridge Main Street

Welcome to Gary Lastoskie

The corporate team wants to welcome Gary Lastoskie.  Gary has joined our accounting team and is quickly settling in and ready for his first month-end.  Gary grew up in Aston, PA and graduated from Goldey Beacom College in Wilmington DE with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.  He has held many positions over the years; Lead Accountant for the Nashville Superspeedway/Gateway International Raceway at Dover Motorsports; Accounts Receivable Analyst for PNC Global Investment Servicing; Accounting Operations Supervisor for the same firm; and the Senior Tax Consultant for H&R Block in Wilmington.  Gary currently resides in Lewes DE.

Santa's Helper Spreads Joy

Melissa Agee, Ad Coordinator ~ Ad Design at the South Lake papers started collecting dolls in May 2009 because she wanted a new hobby - sewing doll clothes. She searched the internet and saw patterns for Cabbage Patch dolls and remembered she still had her Cabbage Patch doll from 1984 and it needed repairing, So again Melissa searched the internet looking for ways to fix it and found lots of information on Cabbage Patch kids and doll repair.

“I love getting something old that looks like its seen better days fixing it up like new, It’s a great feeling of accomplishment. Then I make them new clothes and hair bows as the final finish,” Melissa said.

Last year, Melissa started out with just Cabbies, but it has grown to any doll she can repair and dress. She finds them at thrift stores, yard sales and from collectors online who are selling dolls needing TLC that aren’t too expensive. She made a few friends online that will send her Cabbies just for the shipping expense. “I only officially collect Cabbies that I keep and those are usually the ones that have a flaw that I can’t fix,” Melissa added.

“Pretty much the day I found the first one at a yard sale and started fixing it up I realized how much I enjoyed it,” Melissa said. But she didn’t want to have a house full of Cabbies no one was going to play with. She always wanted to donate toys for Christmas because she remembered her grandmother telling her and her siblings about one Christmas when her grandmother’s family didn’t have a lot of money, People came to her house and gave them presents. Melissa loved that story and growing up she never had to worry about there being food or if there would be presents under the tree.

“I decided then that one day I would do the same thing and make a child’s Christmas a little brighter,” Melissa added. Unfortunately she didn’t have the means to do as much as she would have liked and one gift donated just didn’t feel like enough.

Melissa has met some wonderful people while doing this: A local Clewiston women donated two dolls to her so she could fix them up. Another Clewiston lady gave her patterns and fabric. A co-worker found one for her as well. There’s also Marcia with Marcia’s Helping Hands in LaBelle who has donated dolls and lots of fabric so Melissa can continue doing what she enjoys. This year Melissa donated 50 dolls to the Salvation Army and tried to include something with each like a homemade doll blanket or little toys along with their new outfit.

Marcia Carter of Marcia’s Helping Hands, left, lives up to her group’s name. She helps Clewiston News’ Melissa Agee make sick Cabbage Patch dolls well again to be adopted out to new “mommies” for Christmas.

From left: LaBelle Salvation Army Program Coordinator Lisa Sands, Mike and Melissa Agee and Salvation Army Social Services Assistant Angie Flores show off samples of Melissa’s “brand new” Cabbage Patch dolls destined for new “mommies” this Christmas. Each unique doll shows off Melissa’s talent, with her extraordinary workmanship and her sense of community



HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED DURING THE YEAR?

If so, please make sure your correct address is in the payroll records to ensure an accurate W2 mailing in January 2011.  You can review and make changes in Self Service by selecting Update My Profile under Personal Information.  Make all necessary changes and click save.   Contact inipayroll@newszap.com should you have questions.  

December Birthdays

12/2 , Rita Maier , Delaware State News
12/4 , Janet Madray , Okeechobee News
12/7 , Victoria Rosado , Delaware State News
12/9 , Anthony Blue , Delaware Printing Company
12/12 , Lorraine Scibona , Apache Junction Independent
12/18 , James Harris , Delaware Printing Company
12/19 , Daniel Corcoran , Delaware Printing Company
12/19 , Cynthia Eldred , Delaware State News
12/20 , Sheryle Sussman , Delaware State News
12/22 , Amber Bonnett , Sun City Independent
12/25 , Connie Dahlin , Independent of Arizona
12/25 , Christine Damiano , Delaware State News
12/25 , Lori Kircher , Corporate
12/30 , Marilyn Poissant , Independent of Arizona

December Anniversaries

12/2 , 1 YRS , Angela Dewelles , Apache Junction Independent
12/2 , 5 YRS , Daniel Meisinger , Delaware Printing Company
12/2 , 3 YRS , Charles Murphy , Okeechobee News
12/4 , 4 YRS , Keith States , Delaware Printing Company
12/5 , 10 YRS , Zenaida Matute , Valley Newspaper Printing
12/9 , 7 YRS , Victoria Rosado , Delaware State News
12/10 , 3 YRS , Katie Erickson , Sun City Independent
12/10 , 31 YRS , Judith Kasten , Independent of Florida
12/11 , 4 YRS , Kristina Schwartz , Okeechobee News
12/14 , 1 YRS , Tonda Parks , Delaware State News
12/16 , 5 YRS , David Melvin , Delaware State News
12/16 , 8 YRS , Tina Pendexter , Apache Junction Independent
12/17 , 9 YRS , Michael Fenimore , Corporate
12/17 , 1 YRS , Yvonne Kirksey , Delaware State News
12/29 , 8 YRS , Darin Powell , Corporate
12/30 , 15 YRS , Daniel Corcoran , Delaware Printing Company

MIxing Fun With Work is Always a Good Idea

Okeechobee News staffers got into the Halloween spirit by following the newspaper office tradition of coming to work dressed in costume. Left to right are Ann Hines, Kristina Schwartz, Jean McNeeley and Pete Gawda.

Okeechobee News editor Katrina Elsken was handling customer complaints on Halloween.

This Buds For .................

Richard Dyer for thinking of the West Valley with photo coverage. Thanks for caring! – Charlene Bisson

Tina Pendexter, Renie Scibona and Laura Riffle for a great majors week! – Charlene Bisson

"Tell Gwen" Has Many Fans

Milford Chronicle and The Journal Editor, Gwen Guerke, received the following email after her article “Open house showcases trains, kicks off holiday season” ran in the Nov. 10 issue of both papers.

Gwen,

I wish to thank you again for a great week end. This past week end we had several hundred people show up for our open house on the model railroad display. We were able to raise over $185.00 for charity. We increased it and will send $100.00 each to the SPCA and Bless Our Children programs. Words cannot express how much your article meant to our event. I hope we can do this again next year with your assistance. The comments of the people were outstanding. We probably experienced a hundred outstanding Kodak memories. I don't know who had more fun, the visitors or Sandy and I. Again thank you, you made our weekend.

Bob Anderson

Apache Junction Reader Thanks Newspaper for Coverage

Jill Adair, news services editor, received the following letter of thanks:

Hi Jill,

I'm delighted to tell you that our Fiesta Sampler was a great success. We had people come from many different places in the valley. We asked how they heard about the Fiesta and ninety percent of the answers were, we read about it in the newspapers.

We're working hard to keep all the state parks open. To stay open they have to be profitable and have an increase in attendance. We are working on more events and weekly programs to bring people to LostDutchmanState Park. I'll keep you informed and send you the schedule.

Thank you Jill and the AJ Independent Newspapers for helping keep the State Parks open by informing people of the coming programs and events.

Mitzi Rinehart
Apache Junction

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

The deadline for the Sun City Community Guide is Dec. 3 and Dec. 13 for the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce FOCUS guide. Sales are going strong in both publications at more than $10,000 in additional revenue.

West Valley Team Launches New Product

WEST VALLEY TEAM launches a new product on Dec. 1. The Sun City Coupon Book joins the monthly Sun City West Coupon Book. The team hopes the book will quickly grow to $3,500-plus in additional monthly revenue. One of the goals of the book is to build readership of the Sun City product with coupons that our readers can use in tough economic times.

The team also thanks VALLEY NEWSPAPERS for their efforts to publish the special supplement.

MEDICARE UPDATE FOR MEDICAL PLAN PARTICIPANTS

If you and/or your dependent have Medicare or will become eligible for Medicare in the next 12 months, a new federal law gives you more choices about your prescription drug coverage. Full details are included in the formal benefits coverage section in the toolbox at http://initoolbox.newszap.com/handbook.htm#VII-Formal-Benefits-Overview.  Contact inipayroll@newszap.com if you have any questions.

News from the East Valley Office:

Jill Adair was invited to be a guest speaker to a copy-editing class at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She shared her knowledge of PhotoShop and inDesign with the students. Jill is the news services editor for the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Mesa and Queen Creek/San Tan Valley Independent newspapers.

East Valley office staff members and their families plan to represent Independent Newspapers on a float in the Saturday, Nov. 13, annual Gilbert Days parade. East Valley office staff members also plan to work at a booth at the Gilbert Days Rodeo on Saturday, Nov. 20.

Renie Scibona attended the Gilbert Excellence Awards dinner the evening of Friday, Nov. 5, and snapped photos for the newspaper. She is the publisher of the Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Mesa and Queen Creek/San Tan Valley Independent newspapers.

This Bud's For ..................................

HEATHER CREGAR – thanks for helping me out at the last minute (and I mean LAST) with the Food Drive pages! I appreciate your help! Jen Wright

DARIN POWELL – every year Darin Powell goes out of his way to quickly convert the Unclaimed Property file from a list of names and addresses in a EXCEL document to PDF pages ready to print. As everyone knows, this publication was a whopping 304 pages this year, and he was able to knock that out in two days. This helped give us the ability to get the finished product to the customer to proof, and turn it around to DPC in a timely manner. I really appreciate your help Darin!!!! Jen Wright

JACLYN FULLER – Thanks for your help (basically doing it for me) with the Unclaimed Property file’s print request! You helped to make it a much easier process this year! Jen Wright

BRET MCKEAND - for ordering 2010 AP Stylebooks for the East Valley office. Thanks! – the East Valley office’s editorial team

BCBS Guides Available

The updated 2010 BlueCross BlueShield Guide to your benefits booklets have been distributed to all offices.  The booklets are free to anyone who has or is interested in participating in the health and dental plans offered by INI. If your office runs out please contact us at inipayroll@newszap.com

A Little Work and A Little Play On Halloween

The Delaware State News Advertising, Classifieds, Customer Service, Graphics and Telemarketing teams celebrated Halloween in true INI fashion on Friday with food and funny fashions. The teams dined on yummy treats including Tonda’s Famous Chicken Salad, Bonnie’s Awesome Meatballs & Sausage, Karla’s Colossal Spinach Dip, Barbara Southern Green Bean Salad, Vicki’s Shrimpy Pasta and Cyndy’s Peanut Butter Cups… just to name a few. Everyone voted on the best costume, decorated hat and mask/makeup. The winners each received a trick-or-treat bag filled with goodies and a special certificate. The winners are pictured left to right, Lee Hoover – Best Costume dressed as “Abby” from “NCIS,” Catherine Hall – Best Mask dressed as “Josie” from “Josie & The Pussy Cats,” Yvonne Kirksey – Best Hat dressed as a bewitching witch.

Pictured left to right, VP of Advertising Development Tonda Parks (as “Cruella de Ville”) and Promotions Manager Heather Cregar (as a Rap Star) show the extremes of advertising from Glam to Grudge.



Exactly How Does A Newspaper Plant Work?

Cub Scouts Pack 849 of Scottsdale paid a visit to Valley Newspapers Nov. 3 to learn more about how their hometown Scottsdale Independent is created. The boys were shown how the papers are prepared and produced each week by Publisher Bret McKeand, and then given a tour of the print facility.

Marc Tropio explained the pre-press operation  





Mike Jacobs gave the troupe a up-close look at newspapers coming off the press



INI’s Dyer Donates Original Welded-Steel Sculpture to College

 Richard Dyer, managing editor of the Mesa Independent newspaper and a continuing-education student at Mesa Community College, created and donated his original steel sculpture “The Welders” of three welded figurines on an I-beam to the college, 1833 W. Southern Ave. The sculpture and a plaque are to be set in concrete as a permanent addition to the college’s outdoor art collection. Each of the three figurines took more than five hours to sculpt, using a metal inert gas wire-welder. The sculpture was designed as a tribute to the Welding Technology Department, its instructors and students. Richard has been taking metal sculpture welding classes at MCC since the summer of 2004. The sculpture was unveiled in the college’s BP-GC Courtyard as part of an open house Oct. 28 celebrating new landscaping and shaded sitting areas for students and the remodeling of the BA business building. Richard is also the managing editor of the Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek/San Tan Valley and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent newspapers in the East Valley office.

Annual Halloween Potluck Held at East Valley Office

 The East Valley office held its annual Halloween potluck Friday, Oct. 29. From left are Terrance Thornton, Curtis Rogers, Angela DeWelles, Richard Dyer, Jill Adair, Renie Scibona and Tina Pendexter. Not pictured is Kristin Doetsch, who snapped the photo.

"Miss Jean" McNeely Enjoys Newspaper's Front Desk

By Katrina Elsken

Okeechobee News

 "Miss Jean" McNeely

The Okeechobee News has a secret weapon in octogenarian Jean McNeely.

Even the most irate customers are disarmed by her smile.

"Most people are very nice," said "Miss Jean," who has worked in the newspaper's front office for six years. "Sometimes they are a little upset when they first come in.

"Like all of us, they have bad days. I apologize for what they may think is wrong," she said. "Usually after a few minutes, they calm down.

"Whether it's a newspaper article they're upset about, or they didn't get the paper, or if their paper was wet, we all have to vent occasionally.

"Most people just want someone to listen, to validate that they have a legitimate complaint," she said. "Then they do calm down."

Miss Jean, who recently added some advertising duties to her work at the front desk, said she came out of retirement to work at the newspaper office.

"My last employment was as a sales analyst at Dupont in Iowa," she said. "I retired from there at the age of 56 and traveled around the United States in a motor home with my husband for 20 years."

She eventually bought a home in Okeechobee to be close to her son.

At the age of 76, she started work for the Okeechobee News.

"I tease the girls that I retired at 56 and returned to work at 76," she said, adding that she recommends that retirement plan.

"After my husband died, I was at loose ends," she explained. "I needed something to do. I like to meet people. I like to talk on the phone."

She said before working for Dupont she was employed as a receptionist and a bookkeeper.

"All of my experience had been along that line," she said. "I enjoyed it. It couldn't have been a better choice."

Her traveling days are not over.

"I still love to travel, but I can't be on the go all the time," said Miss Jean, who has visited every state in the union except Alaska (she's going next year!). She said she and her husband always talked about taking a boat trip on the Mississippi River and she would still like to do that.

She said her children want her to retire in 2012, when they plan to retire and move to Hot Springs Village in Arkansas.

"But I'm not ready to retire again," she added, explaining that she is in good health and enjoys her work.

"In six years, I haven't taken a single sick day -- for 82 that's not bad!" she said.

New staffer at the Okeechobee News

Louise Dowling recently joined the staff of the Okeechobee News. She is working in the front office.

Arizona Launches 13th Publication

 The Arizona group launched its 13th publication this month. The first edition of the monthly Biltmore Independent was published Oct. 13. The newspaper serves an upscale neighborhood in North Phoenix that neighbors Paradise Valley, a community served weekly by the Town of Paradise Valley Independent. The Biltmore newspaper will be mailed monthly to 7,500 homes. Within a week of its publication, the newspaper had already received numerous positive responses from readers and advertisers, including a house-painting firm whose ad generated a $4,500 job from a Biltmore reader! According to Publisher Bret McKeand, the first edition totaled 20 pages and exceeded the team's sales  projections. Special thanks and congratulations go to the North Valley team of Brian Keller, Dan Quigley, Mary Carrier, Diane Runion, as well as the call center team of Debra Friedl, Connie Dahlin and Marilyn Poissant, for a tremendous effort!

6,045 Photos, Videos on East Valley Office's Flickr Site

The East Valley office last week passed the 6,000 mark for photos and videos on its Flickr site with 6,045 items. Readers are directed to check the public forums for a link to the photos, www.flickr.com/photos/eastvalleyindependent/sets . The East Valley office includes the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek/San Tan Valley Independent newspapers.

East Valley Office Represented at Newspapers Convention

An Arizona Newspapers Association staff member snapped a photo of East Valley office's Jill Adair, news services editor, and Richard Dyer, managing editor, at the Oct. 16 ANA 2010 Fall Convention, held at the downtown Phoenix location of Arizona State University's Walter Chronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

This Bud's For .........................

Katie Erickson for taking care of my last minute IO's when Tina was out on vacation. - Curtis Rogers

Katie Erickson, Bret McKeand and Charlene Bisson for all of your help while Tina was out on vacation. - The East Valley Staff

Kristin Doetsch for catching the error in the Trucks Only ad last week and then running out last minute to take the correct photo for the ad. Your efforts are truly appreciated! - The East Valley Staff

ALL that made it possible for me to go on vacation and that helped to cover my workload while I was out. I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you! - Tina Pendexter

Sheri Sussman Celebrates 30 Years

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
30 YEARS

Name: Sheri Sussman

Newspaper: Delaware State News, Dover, DE

Position: Layout/Pagination

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: 30

Job description: Layout for Delmarva’s publications and Pagination for Delaware State News

What I like best (about my job): I have been given the opportunity to work with gifted, hard working people who are great at doing the things I can’t do. It makes for an environment where I can learn things I would have never known, do things I would have never done and work with people I really admire.

Most memorable moment with INI: I’ll never forget the ride into work after the last snow storm of the winter of 2009-2010. I had to drive on half plowed roads that were thankfully devoid of traffic. I had almost made it to work when I noticed that two pickup trucks (both had snow blades on the front) were getting stuck on the road ahead of me. I knocked on the door of a very gracious couple who let me park in their plowed driveway while I tried to walk the rest of the way in. After walking through the snow for about a quarter of a mile, the snow removal crew showed up. I felt like a V.I.P. when I was given a ride by a road crew supervisor as we followed a snowplow and a front-end loader through a six-foot snow drift that blocked the last mile of my commute to work. About halfway, we came across a tractor-trailer that had been caught during the storm. He was really glad to see our entourage. I had to walk the last several hundred feet through hip high drifts in the parking lot, (the road crew wasn’t supposed to plow private property). I realized that I really am getting old and should start having a little more respect for mother nature’s ability to thwart my plans.

Hobbies/Interests: I love digging in my gardens and taking cross-country trips with my husband when we visit my family in Washington State. We take side trips into the Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons or the Bad-Lands and visit the museums along the way. I am fascinated by natural history, geology and the artifacts of Native Americans and the early settlers.

Fun fact (about myself): I have been through every state in the Union except Florida, Alaska and Hawaii. I’ve been through all of the southern Provinces of Canada and lived for 3 years in Panama. I have swam (dived with a snorkel) in the Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Panama and the Caribbean. When I was very young, all I wanted to do was get an education and get out and see the world so I would not feel dumb around other people. After pursuing 3 different college degrees, I have come to the conclusion that one lifetime is not enough to see and learn everything there is to see and know… but it sure is fun trying!

November Birthdays

11/1 , Anna Hines , Okeechobee News
11/1 , Kurt Ploudre , Independent of Arizona
11/4 , Jaclyn Fuller , Delaware Printing Company
11/5 , David Hughes , Delaware State News
11/8 , Joel Smyth , Chairman Office
11/9 , Jennifer Wright , Delaware State News
11/11 , Matthew Porterfield , Delaware State News
11/13 , Timothy Spong , Delaware State News
11/21 , Juan Lopez , Clewiston News
11/24 , Barbara Bryan , Delaware State News
11/24 , Andrew West , Delaware State News
11/27 , Lisa Bryner , Corporate
11/28 , Antoinette Hewes , Delaware Printing Company

November Anniversaries

11/4 , 34 YRS , James Daisey , Delaware Printing Company
11/5 , 31 YRS , Michael Jacobs , Valley Newspaper Printing
11/11 , 8 YRS , Victoria Meades-Brown , Delaware State News
11/13 , 8 YRS , Karla Akmentins , Delaware State News
11/16 , 19 YRS , David Rehkamp , Delaware Printing Company
11/18 , 1 YRS , Bonnie Mankin , Delaware State News
11/20 , 4 YRS , Toni Ayers , Corporate
11/20 , 5 YRS , Heath Michael , Valley Newspaper Printing
11/21 , 32 YRS , Deborah Devlin , Delaware State News
11/29 , 6 YRS , Debra Luke , Corporate

East Valley Office Works Booth at Business Expo

The entire East Valley office staffed in shifts a booth at the 2010 East Valley Business Expo, held Wednesday, Oct. 6 at the Mesa Convention Center. The business-to-business networking event was hosted by a partnership of the Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Tempe chambers of commerce. A total of 135 booths were planned, with more than 1,000 attendees.

Staff members at the booth were: Renie Scibona, Tina Pendexter, Curtis Rogers, Richard Dyer, Kristin Doetsch, Terrance Thornton, Jill Adair and Angela DeWelles.

Terrance Thornton, Jill Adair and Angela DeWelles at the expo booth.

Tina Pendexter, Renie Scibona and Curtis Rogers at the expo booth

Adair Wins Third Place in Arizona Sports Photo Contest

News Services Editor Jill Adair won third place for best sports photograph in the non-daily circulation greater than 10,000 category of the Arizona Newspapers Association's 2010 Better Newspapers Contest.

She received a certificate and recognition at the Saturday, Oct. 16 ANA Fall Convention banquet, which was held at the downtown Phoenix location of Arizona State University's Walter Chronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

The photograph was snapped at the 2010 Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo in Apache Junction of bull rider Tony Wendle. Jill is the news services editor for the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Mesa and Queen Creek Independent newspapers, in the East Valley office.

Correction

Sheryle Sussman’s anniversary with INI should be 30 years as of Oct. 11 not 20 as stated in the October anniversary list. 

Child Mentoring Programs Launched

Delaware State News Publisher Ed Dulin Took Part in the Launch of the Capital Mentors Program

Federal, state and local officials gathered on pint-sized chairs in the little library at North Dover Elementary School on Oct. 8 to announce the launch of two new mentoring programs aimed at rescuing children from what Rich Kapolka of Connecting Generations termed "desperate circumstances."

One initiative, the Capital Mentors Program, is a community-wide collaboration involving the Greater Dover Committee, the Capital School District, Connecting Generations and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware.

Ed Dulin, publisher of the Delaware State News, was there representing the Greater Dover Committee.

He hailed the partnership among the three nonprofits behind the Capital Mentors Program, which has a goal of building and sustaining a district-wide mentoring program in Capital School District and beyond.

There were 50 mentors committed to the program as of Oct. 8, he said, with a target of 300 mentors for Dover-area schools.

Local businesses including Kraft Foods and Dover Downs are encouraging employees to mentor. Students from Wesley College, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical & Community College, Wilmington University and Dover High School are also lending their support.

"The willingness of these folks to work together has been gratifying," Mr. Dulin said.

For more information, visit http://www.capitalmentors.org/

Also, see Delaware State News managing editor Andy West's column on the mentoring initiative at http://de.newszap.com/blogs/post/6/383

Special Olympics Delaware Honors Delaware State News

Special Olympics Delaware recently honored the Delaware State News with its 2010 Visual Arts and Media Award.

Managing Editor Andy West, left accepted the award from Special Olympics Delaware President Tom Moore Oct, 6 at the “Night of Heroes” ceremony at the University of Delaware in Newark.

Before the award was presented, Special Olympics Delaware representative Erin Bailey, read the nomination.

“Despite an overwhelming amount of news to cover, whenever asked to write a story, print a photo, or provide its readers with event updates, the Delaware State News always manages to find the space to give Special Olympics Delaware an opportunity to showcase its program.

“From editor Andy West to sports editor Andy Walter to photo editor David Chambers, the Delaware State News has gone above and beyond expectations in providing Special Olympics Delaware coverage on its pages.

“Articles have ranged from athlete profiles to coverage of competitions to volunteers making a difference in the community. In addition, the newspaper is always generous in its pictorial coverage of our events, whether it’s just one picture that tells the entire story or a full-page spread.”

Spirt Week at West Valley

West Valley team members competed in their first spirit week activity on Wednesday. The team was broken into groups of three or four, and made craft projects out of recycled newspapers. The team could only use pens, markers, scissors, tape, staples or glue. They were not allowed to use the Internet for ideas. Team 2: Amber, Debbie and Julie won the competition by crafting a purse that included braiding the strap. Each day, teams change so employees can interact with each other and build team spirit.

 

West Valley News

The West Valley team is in its quarterly voluntary pay campaign. Today’s mail brought a $50 check from Peggy McCabe of Sun City thanking the team for its service to the community.

West Valley News

West Valley Publisher Honored


Charlene Bisson

 West Valley Publisher Charlene Bisson received the Generator award from Arizona's Rotary District 5490 Governor Jim Green. The district governor visits 40 local clubs and selects one candidate to receive the recognition.

Candidates Debate Oct. 5
Rusty Bradshaw and Charlene Bisson will be hosting a Peoria Unified School District candidates night Oct. 5 in Ventana Lakes. Charlene will serve as moderator while Rusty will keep time and gather questions. Rusty promoted in this week's Independent to submit questions to the newsroom. This forum is specifically geared toward the senior voting population.

Rusty Bradshaw Recognized in Statewide Publication
Rusty Bradshaw received story credit in the "Filling in Humanity in Motion District 5490 the Gap" magazine. The statewide publication was placed in numerous businesses and went to thousands of members.

A Job Well Done

Sun City West News Editor Julie Maurer received the following letter of thanks

Hi Julie,

Thank you for the excellent article you did on memory loss.....it initiated a lot of phone calls so it must have had good readerships from people interested in the WAY program as well as RUOK. I think we had ten calls the day the paper came out as well as a church wanting a lot of applications. We really appreciate your cooperation with our Posse. Please pass on our appreciation of your efforts to your supervisor and thanks for a job well done!!!

Captain Jan Vejraska
Public Relations Officer
Sun City West Posse

Sussex Post You Rock

Sussex County Post Editor Glenn Rolfe received the following letter from Tina Washington, Vice President and Community Service Chairman, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 28, Millsboro, for the paper’s continued coverage of the American Legion Auxiliary

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 28 would like to thank the Sussex Post for its continued coverage and acceptance of news articles and events that we sponsor for our veterans, our community and our schools. This year we are proud to have been the recipient of several awards at the National Auxiliary Level, the State of Delaware level and on the National level in Public Relations which could not have happened without the published articles that have spotlighted our Unit and our efforts. On a personal note I want to say thanks to Glenn Rolfe who did not falter in the commitment of his predecessor to publish our events. You and our other partner newspapers believe in us and our mission and I am so thankful for you all. Again on behalf of the membership of Unit 28, Sussex Post you rock!

East Valley Employee of the Month Tina Pendexter

This month’s East Valley office employee of the month goes to Tina Pendexter, business manager

Renie Scibona, publisher of the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Queen Creek/San Tan Valley Independent newspapers, says: "Tina demonstrates a 'can do' spirit. She doesn’t ask if something is in her job description, she just does what needs to get done. She has done a great job with her community outreach efforts with United Food Bank, the Mesa and Apache Junction chambers of commerce. She is maintaining and growing a book of business and still manages to get her administration tasks completed. She demonstrates solid leadership skills and is always willing to help other associates. Please congratulate Tina for her fine work!"

East Valley News Services Editor Enters Competition

The East Valley office was recently notified that News Services Editor Jill Adair is in the running for the best sports photograph in the non-daily over 10,000 category of the Arizona Newspapers Association's Better Newspaper Contest. We'll have to wait until the ANA fall convention Oct. 16 to find out if she came in first, second or third place.

The photograph was snapped at the 2010 Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo of bull rider Tony Wendle. Jill is the news services editor for the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Mesa and Queen Creek Independent newspapers.

Good Local Newspapers Will Survive & Thrive

By Joe Smyth

CEO

Independent Newspapers, Inc.

joesmyth@newszap.com

Sometimes, newspapers are their own worst enemies. Many of them give themselves the same negative media coverage that everybody complains about. These self-anointed pundits predicted newspapers would die when radio emerged, predicted it again when television emerged, and they’re doing it again with the internet. They will be wrong again.

Newspapers still have great value, are still in great demand and will continue to thrive. Compared to the general population, newspaper readers

• have higher incomes
• spend and invest more
• are much more likely to vote
• and are more involved in their communities

It’s a terrific demographic.

The industry’s biggest problem is that many highly leveraged speculators purchased newspapers at inflated prices and then cut quality to try to squeeze out obscene profit margins to support the debt. Those are the companies that are generating most of the gloom and doom news about newspapers.

You don’t hear as much about the independent companies like ours that avoided the over-leveraged speculators, can thrive on modest profit margins, and are still dedicated to providing real value to readers and advertisers.

In our case, we’re lucky that we don’t have to pay off speculators or send dividends to Wall Street because we are owned by a non-profit holding company that allows us to reinvest all after-tax profits in the company. This long recession is hurting us just as it is hurting other businesses, but we’re surviving it very nicely --- thanks to the sacrifices and hard work of our people. We are confident the fundamentals of our business are sound and our future is bright.

It may be true that not as many people have time for the big city daily newspapers these days, but our locally-focused newspapers still enjoy strong reader loyalty. Our print products are still the best way for advertisers to target specific local markets with more penetration and more intense readership than they can get elsewhere. We still believe newspapers will thrive if they provide real value and accept reasonable profit margins.

We love the internet and don’t feel threatened by it. Our websites allow us to provide more content to our communities than we could ever include in the print product alone. We love the unlimited space, the interactivity with readers and the fact that there are no newsprint, ink, printing and delivery expenses. The websites admittedly aren’t a big source of revenue yet, but they are a great way to help us fulfill our community service mission. Our websites complement our newspapers instead of competing with them.

As the internet exploded, many newspapers rushed to put all of their content online for free. By doing so, they essentially sabotaged themselves. What they have learned is that internet advertising isn’t significant enough yet to support good journalism. Now that they have trained readers to expect content on the internet to be free, they are hoping those same readers will be willing to pay. Good luck with that!

We took a different approach with newszap.com. First, we created “community websites” instead of “newspaper websites”. The slogan is “free speech & free ads”, and the communities have responded. Most of the content is provided by the users --- not by the newspaper. Local and state public forums at newszap.com are quite robust and popular --- and are monitored by the users instead of us.

Our community websites and newspapers cross-promote one another, but the newspaper still has exclusive content that can be found only in the newspaper. Each newspaper has an e-edition that includes all the news and advertising, so readers can read the newspaper online or in print. We predict “digital only” will be a losing strategy; we intend to continue to offer readers their choice. Regardless of which way they read it, our job is to provide worthwhile products that also get results for our advertisers.

Andy West Celebrates 20 Years

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
20 YRS

Andy West, with son Andy Jr., were among the top 10 finishers at the Rehoboth Beach Sandcastle Contest in August.

Name: Andy West

Newspaper: Delaware State News

Position: Managing Editor

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: 30. I started when I was a high school senior, covering sports for the Daily Times in Salisbury, Md.

Job description: Newsroom leader.

What I like best (about my job): Knowing we make a difference in our communities.

Most memorable moment with INI: There are countless memories, but one that often comes to mind was my first day with the Delaware State News (as sports editor) -- Friday, Sept. 14, 1990. It was a race weekend in Dover, as well as a busy Friday night of high school football. We missed our deadline by 15 minutes. I felt terrible, knowing I had gotten off on the wrong foot. Tammy Brittingham, managing editor at the time, called me into her office that Monday and I started to apologize. Before I could get the sorry out, she congratulated me on getting pages out so early.

Hobbies/Interests: I get most of my kicks from soccer – playing, watching, coaching, and refereeing. During the summer, you’ll find me on the beach, usually building a sandcastle.

Fun fact (about myself): One of only a handful of people that can say they have worked for daily newspapers in all three Delaware counties – The Daily Whale (Sussex); DSN (Kent) and The News Journal (New Castle).

This bud's for .....

Debra Friedl of the Arizona call center for always taking care of the customer!

A customer recently wrote us to say:

Hi Debra,
Thanks again. This kind of service is what makes you, as a rep, stand out above the rest. You take a load off my mind of having to remember deadlines. You also are gentle in approach, professional in manner, understanding (of sometimes my absent-mindedness), timely, friendly, and consistent. You are an asset to the newspaper. Thanks again,another satisfied customer & associate,

Boni Brunk,
V.P. Brunks Auction

Submitted by Bret McKeand, Arizona vice president

Valley Printing Delivers Top Quality

If I could have bottled the overwhelming response, it would have blown you away. My students are still screaming with joy about how amazing the paper looks. My editor-in-chief said, "It's like Christmas." I think that pretty much sums it up. We love it. We couldn't be happier. Please let anyone that worked on this know how pleased we are. As I'm writing this (5 minutes after showing them) they haven't stopped marveling at the paper.

Thank you so much!

Adam Korman
Language Arts
Mountain Ridge High School

October Birthdays

10/4 , Terrance Thornton , Apache Junction Independent
10/9 , Glenn Rolfe , Sussex Post
10/10 , Kelsie Knight , Corporate
10/12 , Donald Clendaniel , Delaware State News
10/13 , Daniel Quigley , Northeast Group Independent
10/14 , Sylvia Windsor , Daily Banner
10/16 , Leroy Kline , Delaware State News
10/19 , Jill Adair , Apache Junction Independent
10/22 , Sherry Luff , Delaware State News
10/25 , Jamie-Leigh Bissett , Delaware State News
10/25 , Heather Cregar , Independent of Delmarva
10/27 , Frances Callaway , Delaware Printing Company
10/27 , Darel Laprade , Sussex Post

October Anniversaries

10/1 , 38 YRS , Linda Sabo , Corporate
10/5 , 7 YRS , Maria Orozco , Valley Newspaper Printing
10/7 , 13 YRS , Steven Steinke , Valley Newspaper Printing
10/9 , 15 YRS , Tony Gilliard , Daily Banner
10/9 , 9 YRS , Jason Malago , Delaware State News
10/11 , 30 YRS , Sheryle Sussman , Delaware State News
10/11 , 12 YRS , Kimberly Lewis , Delaware Printing Company
10/12 , 11 YRS , Christopher Williams , Sun City Independent
10/16 , 10 YRS , Thomas Bugbee , Delaware Printing Company
10/23 , 9 YRS , Armando Ramirez , Valley Newspaper Printing
10/31 , 44 YRS , Donald Clendaniel , Delaware State News
10/31 , 10 YRS , Kristin Doetsch , Apache Junction Independent
10/31 , 8 YRS , Cynthia Eldred , Delaware State News

September Birthdays

9 / 2 , Joy Messick , Daily Banner
9 / 3 , Kimberly Lewis , Delaware Printing Company
9 / 5 , Joshua Langley , Valley Newspaper Printing
9 / 7 , Virginia Guy , Independent of Florida
9 / 7 , Brian Keller , Northeast Group Independent
9 / 12 , William Dodd , Delaware State News
9 / 12 , Jean McNeeley , Okeechobee News
9 / 12 , Heath Michael , Valley Newspaper Printing
9 / 16 , Gwendolyn Guerke , Milford The Journal
9 / 18 , Peter Gawda , Okeechobee News
9 / 19 , Logan Anderson , Delaware State News
9 / 20 , Richard Dyer , Apache Junction Independent
9 / 24 , Nanette Mulligan , Sussex Post
9 / 24 , Jose Zaragoza , Clewiston News
9 / 29 , Michelle Vinson , Corporate
9 / 30 , Roger Brooke , Delaware Printing Company

September Anniversaries

9/4 , 47 YRS , William Dodd , Delaware State News
9/1 , 33 YRS , Kelsie Knight , Corporate
9/20 , 26 YRS , Katrina Elsken , Okeechobee News
9/10 , 20 YRS , Andrew West , Delaware State News
9/10 , 17 YRS , Donald Hawkins , Delaware Printing Company
9/10 , 12 YRS , Marilyn Poissant , Independent of Arizona
9/18 , 10 YRS , Varon Krieger-Krusemark , Valley Newspaper Printing
9/24 , 10 YRS , John Salvate , Valley Newspaper Printing
9/4 , 9 YRS , Lawrence Loomis , Valley Newspaper Printing
9/16 , 8 YRS , Richard Naughton , Valley Newspaper Printing
9/13 , 2 YRS , Robert Dill , Delaware Printing Company
9/11 , 1 YRS , Amber Bonnett , Sun City Independent
9/18 , 1 YRS , James Harris , Delaware Printing Company
9/7 , 4 YRS , Jill Adair , Apache Junction Independent

Happy Birthday Brian!

 The Scottsdale/Paradise Valley Independent team last week surprised sales consultant Brian Keller on his birthday decorating his desk and presenting him with a birthday cake. The team (Mary Carrier, Diane Runion and Dan Quigley) was joined by the Arizona call center staff (Debra Friedl, Connie Dahlin and Marilyn Poissant) in wishing Brian a fantastic 34th birthday! 

West Valley Participates in Golf Classic

Katy Erickson and Rusty Bradshaw

West Valley Independent team members Katy Erickson and Rusty Bradshaw volunteered at the Surprise Rotary Foundation annual golf classic Sept. 11. Independent Newspapers sponsored the event and Publisher Charlene Bisson chaired the golf outing. Julie Maurer volunteered while Bret McKeand hit the greens. All proceeds went to the 501c3 Surprise Foundation, which supports many Northwest Valley causes, including student scholarships. Proceeds cleared $5,600.  

Volunteers for a Wellness Committee?

Several employees have asked about the possibility of creating workplace wellness programs such as Walking Competitions, Weight Loss Competitions (such the Biggest Loser) and/or Nutrition Seminars.

Such programs have been successful at some other companies. They can be lots of fun for the participants as well as improving their overall fitness and health. Participation would be voluntary, of course.

If you think your office might benefit from a wellness program, please email INI's Corporate Secretary Wanda Ford-Waring at wfwaring@newszap.com to let her know you would be willing to be a member of a Wellness Committee at your location.

This Bud's For ........

GREAT BIG THANKS to Yvonne Kirksey for adding the extra special touch to the ladies restroom and also keeping us supplied with candy (along with other candy donations from other employees)! You are greatly appreciated. - Janet Levy

Don Clendaniel, Bill Dodd and Sonny Postles from DSN Distribution Center, for always being there for “The Dog” to get his carriage spic and span and shinny clean for the parades he participates in for the Delmarva papers. Thanks a lot and we always hear good comments about the papers along the parade routes. - Toni Hewes

Delmarva joins other groups and launches Sports Networks

Local sports are online!

If you didn’t know, go to your favorite community page at newszap.com, and click the tab for “Sports” to go to your local sports network.

With the launch of the Delmarva networks on September 1, all of our groups are now offering a unique online media platform that gives INI an unprecedented ability to provide much-needed visibility to an array of deserving youth sports, adult recreation leagues, and middle school through junior varsity teams that too often fly under the radar.

The sports networks are possible because of our partnership with CommunitySportsDesk, of Kenosha, Wis., a national sports software company.

More than 50 sports and activities, ranging from baseball to Tae Kwon Do, are covered by our local sports networks, giving our company a golden opportunity to serve and connect with our communities in whole new way.

The content on these networks is “user-generated,” and local sports groups now have a chance to post game results and feature stories, information about upcoming events, photos and video – all free of charge – for friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and fans to see.

Sports organizations that participate in this program will also have the opportunity to develop fan networks and will receive a percentage of revenue produced by advertising on the site through a Community Share initiative.

You can help make this exciting venture a success, if you will take a few minutes to fill out the brief online questionnaire found here.

Your assistance will help us guarantee that our networks reach as many people and organizations as possible.

VaRonda C. Krusemark Celebrates 10 Years

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
10 YRS

Ronda Krusemark

Name: VaRonda C. Krusemark

Newspaper: Valley Newspapers

Position: Office Coordinator

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: 10

Job description: Customer Service, phones, billing, ordering supplies, entering/moving data, job tickets, payables, receivables ect…

What I like best (about my job): Working with my co-workers and giving a helping hand when needed to my co-workers or clients.

Most memorable moment with INI: There are many memorable moments. What stands out most are those moments when we all work together as a team and everything seems to come together. Those are the moments that stay with us for a lifetime.

Hobbies/Interests: Hobbies I enjoy are drawing, reading, writing, sewing and dancing when I get the chance! I have always been interested in designing clothes or writing a book and someday traveling to other parts of the world.

Fun fact (about myself): To stay positive, happy and enjoy life even in the difficult times. I know life is like a roller coaster and I am going to enjoy every moment and meet every obstacle because right around the corner there will always be something brighter.

Advertising Works For Local Club in Arizona

On behalf of the Sun City West Pottery Club, I would like to thank the INDEPENDENT for publishing the notice and the picture about our sale Saturday for "Waste Not, Want Not". We feel it was a big success, and many people came to the sale because of the article in your newspaper. We made almost $2000.00 for this worthy charity.

Marie Rogers

What We Do Matters

By Joe Smyth

CEO

Independent Newspapers, Inc.

joesmyth@newszap.com

Tom Shaw, the inspirational President and CEO of Shaw Newspapers, is a dear friend of ours who has served as a member of the non-profit membership corporation that owns our company, Independent Newspapers.

He recently wrote a column in his company’s newsletter to salute several of their newspapers for winning a number of journalism awards. With his permission, I’m reprinting several of his comments here because they so nicely express our own mission and values:

“We are driven to exercise our constitutionally protected right of a free press, which is clearly stated in our nation's founding documents. Our passion is to provide our communities relevant information, a forum for the exchange of ideas, and that check on government that no other community enterprise can provide. We believe that we make differences in our communities, our states, our nation, and beyond our national borders by doing what we do, and by doing it well.

“We work hard to improve our com¬munities. Our news and circula¬tion departments provide relevant information in timely and accurate fashions. Our sales teams work hard at crafting the widest array of tai¬lored marketing solutions possible to benefit the businesses that account for 80% of the revenue needed to run our enterprises. And we are advo¬cates for the betterment of our com¬munities in which we shop, work, pay taxes, raise families, and enjoy the blessings of our liberties.

“If you understand the value of changed lives and better tomorrows, you can better appreciate the pas¬sion evident in so many of the Shaw Newspapers, a virtue shared by our founder, B.F. Shaw, nearly 160 years ago.

“...We humbly understand and embrace our special calling....that of making our communities a whole lot better because we have been here. Not unlike George Bailey (James Stewart) in It’s a Wonderful Life, we believe our lives are truly richer because what we do we do matters!”

Well said Tom, and thanks for setting such a fine example for the rest of us.

Renie Scibona is the East Valley office’s Employee of the Month!

Renie is not afraid to face any challenge that is thrown our way. She is forward-thinking and is always looking out for the best interests of the company as well as her staff. She can be counted on to come up with a solution to anything that needs to be solved. Renie has done a terrific job in helping to build the momentum in the East Valley, and can be counted on to do exactly what she says she will. INI is lucky to have her back within the ranks and we sincerely appreciate all that she does for us.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor - East Valley
Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Queen Creek/San Tan Valley Independent newspapers