Wednesday, March 26, 2014

April Anniversaries


4/1, 27 YRS, Patricia Brant, Caloosa Belle
4/3, 1 YR, Manuel Martinez, Delaware Printing
4/8, 1 YR, Ashton Brown, Delaware State News
4/8, 1 YR, Giovanna Moraflores, South Lake
4/8, 1 YR, Susan Short, Delaware State News
4/9, 2 YRS, Michael Whaley, Sussex Weeklies
4/10, 19 YRS, Diane Runion, North Valley
4/12, 12 YRS, Lisa Bryner, Corporate
4/12, 10 YRS, Allan Ryder, Delaware State News
4/15, 36 YRS, Lori Kircher, Corporate
4/15, 7 YRS, Frances Callaway, Delaware Printing
4/15, 1 YR, Melissa Beltz, South Lake
4/18, 26 YRS, Sheila Clendaniel, Corporate
4/19, 21 YRS, Heather Cregar, Delmarva Region
4/20, 20 YRS, Craig Horleman, Delaware State News
4/23, 24 YRS, Michelle Vinson, Corporate
4/30, 2 YRS, Courtney Hartline, Delaware State News

April Birthdays


4/6, Juliana Mateo, Valley Printing
4/7, Wendy Miller, East Valley
4/11, Olivia Littleton, Sussex Weeklies
4/11, David Taylor, East Valley
4/12, Timothy Menasco, Delaware State News
4/12, Nichole Christopoulos, Delaware State News
4/13, Tedejane Griffith, Milford/Harrington
4/16, Michael Jacobs, Valley Printing
4/18, Thomas Dove, East Valley
4/19, Norma Kilpatrick, West Valley
4/20, Deborah Myers, West Valley
4/20, Henry Jones, Delaware Printing
4/21, Courtney Hartline, Delaware State News
4/22, Paul Cervantes, Valley Printing
4/24, Edward Dulin, Corporate
4/24, Angela Hicks, Milford/Harrington
4/25, Melissa Beltz, South Lake
4/29, Raymond Ford, Delaware Printing
4/30, Kristina Schwartz, Okeechobee

 

Employee Welfare Benefit Plan Summary Report


 
SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT

For

 Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA Employee Welfare Benefit Plan

 
This is a summary of the annual report of the Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA Employee Welfare Benefit Plan, EIN 51-0072172, Plan No. 501, for period July 01, 2012 through June 30, 2013.  The annual report has been filed with the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

Insurance Information

The plan has contracts with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware, Inc. and Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company to pay Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Voluntary Life Insurance, Voluntary Dependent Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability claims incurred under the terms of the plan.  The total premiums paid for the plan year ending June 30, 2013 were $1,927,716.

Your Rights to Additional Information

You have the right to receive a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, on request.  Insurance information, including sales commissions paid by insurance carriers is included in the report.

To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any part thereof, write or call the office of Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA f/k/a Independent Newspapers, Inc. at 110 Galaxy Drive, Dover, DE 19901, or by telephone at (302) 674-3600.  The charge to cover copying costs will be $0.00 for the full annual report, or $0.00 per page for any part thereof.

You also have the right to receive from the plan administrator, on request and at no charge, a statement of the assets and liabilities of the plan and accompanying notes, or a statement of income and expenses of the plan and accompanying notes, or both.  If you request a copy of the full annual report from the plan administrator, these two statements and accompanying notes will be included as part of that report.  The charge to cover copying costs given above does not include a charge for the copying of these portions of the report because these portions are furnished without charge.

You also have the legally protected right to examine the annual report at the main office of the plan (Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA f/k/a Independent Newspapers, Inc., 110 Galaxy Drive, Dover, DE 19901) and at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., or to obtain a copy from the U.S. Department of Labor upon payment of copying costs.  Requests to the Department should be addressed to: Public Disclosure Room, Room N1513, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210.


The report is also located on Self Service>BENEFITS>Annual Summary Report

 

New Face at Corporate Services


 

Corporate Services recently welcomed Noelle Poore to the credit/collection team.  Noelle’s responsibilities include the collection for the Arizona Group’s advertising accounts and some Delmarva advertising accounts.  She will also serve as backup  for Sheila Clendaniel for payroll purposes.  Noelle is originally from New York; but her parents later relocated to Delaware. Noelle brings with her 16 years of experience in collections as well as preparation and filing of corporation documents with the State of Delaware.  Noelle took some time off from work to devote herself to her family.  We are happy Noelle accepted this position when she decided to return to the work environment.  Noelle lives in Dover with her husband, Scott, and has a 24 year old daughter and 19 year old son.  In her spare time, Noelle enjoys reading and crocheting.

 

This Bud's for .............................................................................


This Buds is for Sheila Clendaniel.  Sheila has gone over and above to help me through a very stressful situation.  Her patience and professionalism have been a great comfort to me during this very stressful time.  THANK YOU
 

Dee Gaudin
Circulation Manager
Okeechobee News

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Kudos for Glenn From Special Olympics

Sussex County Post Editor Glenn Rolfe received some positive comments from the folks at Special Olympics Delaware.  (see picture of front page below)
 
 
Hey Glenn,

We were at Milford Bowl yesterday and saw the front page of the Sussex Post and can't tell you how appreciative we are for not only the placement but the great article that went with it.

You nailed all the points, as my colleagues who organize the Spread the Word campaign pointed out -- and the first writer to ever do so in 7 years.

 Thanks again my friend for the continued support and great coverage.

I might even pray for another snow storm for you!

Jon Buzby
Director of Media Relations

-------------

 

Hi Glen,

I wanted to echo Jon Buzby's note of thanks and let you know how much we appreciate the coverage you gave to Special Olympics' Pledge Respect campaign. It is through articles like these that we get people's attention and promote our program successfully to the community.

Well done! 

Best regards,
Ruth T. Coughlan
Director of Communications
Special Olympics Delaware

 

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


This bud’s for Debbie Devlin for plowing through the layout of all the publications and pages she had on her plate the Sunday afternoon and evening prior to Monday’s snowstorm, and for gently answering people’s questions pertaining to publications other than the one(s) on which she was currently working. Thank you!

Thank you and have a great day!
Lee Hoover
Graphic Designer
Delaware State News

Thursday, March 6, 2014

A Growing Family for DSN Graphic Artist


Dover Graphic Artist Tim Menasco welcomed grandbaby number 8 to his family on Wednesday, February 26 at 9:49 p.m.  Jace Adam Caputo was born to Tim’s middle daughter Suzie.  The baby is 8 lbs., 3 oz. and 20” long.  Jace joins his brother and six little girl cousins, including two new additions last year - Eleanore Adelaide Menasco born July 3 and Cecilia Ann Menasco born August 22.  The boys are playing catch up!  Congratulations to Tim and his beautiful family!




Eleanore Adelaide Menasco
 

Jace Adam Caputo with Mommy Suzie

Cecilia Ann Menasco

Go Red for Women


In early February, the Delaware State News helped southern Delaware “Go Red” for the American Heart Association’s annual “Go Red for Women” event.  The Delaware State News and her sister publications in Delaware – Milford Chronicle, The Journal and the Sussex County Post – served as the media sponsors of the fundraising fashion show and lunch event. 
 


 
 
 
Representing the Delaware State News at the event are (pictured left to right): front – Courtney Hartline, Dave Chambers, Ashton Brown, Ashley Dawson; back – Sue Post, Tonda Parks, Katrina Sullivan and Heather Cregar.

Statewide Business 2 Business Expo


The Delaware State News recently participated in the Statewide Business 2 Business Expo at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino serving as the Media Sponsor and publisher of the official program booklet.  The 5-hour event featured more than 85 vendors and allowed the Delaware State News sales team to meet and visit with several hundred prospective advertisers in a casual yet business-focused atmosphere.  The sales team including Ad Managers Cyndi Eldred, Joy Ferrio, Courtney Hartline, Sue Post and Katrina Sullivan, Delaware State News VP of Advertising Development Tonda Parks and Major Account Advertising Manager Tim Gary spent the afternoon networking with prospects at the Delaware State News booth and throughout the event venue.  Classified Team Leader Dianna Sellers and Legal Advertising Consultant Janet Levy also visited the event and handed out the program booklet to attendees as they arrived during the evening hours.  Promotions Manager Heather Cregar coordinated the sponsorship and booth display.  In addition to the Delaware State News booth, our company was also represented at an online marketing seminar conducted by VP of New Media Darel LaPrade.  The Business 2 Business Expo is one of more than 65 local events and charitable organizations supported by the Delaware State News each year.




Pictured left to right at the Delaware State News booth at the Statewide Business 2 Business Expo are Heather Cregar, Cyndi Eldred, Tim Gary and Tonda Parks.

Nice Note


Kathy Cooper, one of our readers, sent me (Andy West, editor DSN) a nice note last week that serves as a great reminder of the connection we have with people. It reads:

"I don't know if you were aware that my Precious Mom, Jane D. Wingfield, passed away on Jan.19, 2014.  She loved writing letters to the Editor, many of which you printed. When she was unable to write, you were kind enough to write the letter for her when she called to give you her opinion by phone. She was so tickled to see it in the paper! Thank you very much for always being so kind to her. She loved living here in Delaware these past 5 years. My Mom was quite a neat Lady and the world will miss her feisty spirit!"

Dinner on the Diamond



The Arizona West Valley office co-sponsored a "Dinner on the Diamond" fundraiser along with the Peoria Diamond Club and Peoria Chamber of Commerce Feb. 7 at the Peoria Sports Complex. The event serves as a kick-off to the spring training season in Peoria that begins in March. The dinner attracted several hundred attendees and include a silent auction and casino-night activity. Attending from the West Valley office, pictured from left, Publisher Charlene Patti Bisson and her husband, Will, Graphics Specialist Chris Williams and Editor Rusty Bradshaw. Photo by Arizona President Bret McKeand.

The Arizona West Valley office was honored at the annual Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce awards luncheon Feb. 20. The Independent was nominated for "Large Business of the Year" and Sales Consulant Frank Dias, right, was nominated for Member Volunteer of the Year. Attending the event, from left, Publisher Charlene Patti Bisson, Editor Rusty Bradshaw and Frank Dias. Photo by Arizona President Bret McKeand.

West Valley Happenings


The West Valley office was a finalist for the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce’s large business member of the year. Although the West Valley Independent team did not win they were honored to be nominated by their business peers. West Valley Publisher Charlene Bisson joined the Arizona Newspapers Association Board of Directors. Ms. Bisson will serve a two-year term.
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The West Valley office presented its Sun City West Hometown Heroes Feb. 14 in partnership with the Recreation Centers of Sun City. The event was a huge success from receiving dozens of submissions for the eight categories to a large attendance at the award presentation at the Recreation Centers of Sun City West. The Independent team called for submissions for six weeks and picked the top choices in each category. The editorial team presented a four-page center spread in the Feb. 12 Sun City West Independent announcing the recipients. All eight winners attended the Feb. 14 awards presentation and received certificates of recognition provided by the Independent as well as some surprises. RCSCW spokeswoman wrote: Great job on Hometown heroes today, Charlene! Please thank Jeremy and Rusty, too! You guys were awesome! I was so excited to see such a huge crowd and although it was hard to tell how many were there for HH, it was obviously when they followed you out afterward that many of them in fact were there to support the awards. I know the honorees were thrilled, and the event turned out better than we could have hoped. Thank you so much for honoring our volunteers, assisting our community and making it such a special event for our community! I hope we can do it again next year. The West Valley office publishes RCSCW’s Rec Center News each month.
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News Editor Rusty Bradshaw received kudos from the Sun City Concert Band from taking time out of his busy news schedule to cover the group. The president wrote: “I truly appreciate the support that we receive from the Sun City Independent newspaper. It took real effort for you to make a special trip and attend our rehearsal. Truly an effort that is most sincerely reflected in a most professionally written article.”

 

The 50th Anniversary Program


The East Valley office is wrapping up its coverage of the 50th annual Lost Dutchman Days rodeo and associated events, with photos and rodeo results in the March 5 issue of the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent.

Preparation started in September on our official program of the events, with a staff member attending volunteer committee meetings to gather copy. Others worked with the committee to gather sponsorship advertising copy and ads, contacted businesses to advertise in the official program and prepared all of the ads for the program. Editorial copy was gathered or written – including a look through the archives of the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent and its predecessor the Apache Sentinel on 50 years of Lost Dutchman Days. It began on Saturday, Jan. 23, 1965, as a one-day event. Editorial staff members covered the rodeo queen royalty competition and crowning with copy and photos for the newspaper and program. Staff members proofed the 60-page program and it was printed with a glossy cover and inserted in the Feb. 19 issue.

East Valley staff members include Bret McKeand, publisher; Tina Pendexter, business manager; Scott Taylor, advertising consultant; Cherril Babbs, advertising consultant; Tom Dove, advertising consultant; Deb Crotzer, advertising services/graphics; Alex Ferri, news services; Wendy Miller, news editor; and Richard Dyer, managing editor. They also produce the East Mesa, Queen Creek/San Tan Valley and Gilbert Independent newspapers and post to Arizona.newszap.com/eastvalley.

The 50th annual Lost Dutchman Days and associated events were Feb. 20-23 in Apache Junction. East Valley staff members worked at the official information booth at the Event Center at the Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds. They also snapped photos at the carnival, rodeo, art show and parade for the weekly newspaper and the 2015 program.

 


 
 
 

Volunteers at the East Valley office booth at the Event Center at the Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds Saturday, Feb. 22, included, from left, Deb Crotzer, Scott Taylor and Tina Pendexter.
 



Volunteers at the East Valley office booth at the Event Center at the Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds Sunday, Feb. 23, included, from left, Scott Taylor, Wendy Miller and Richard Dyer. Scott painted an image of steer wrestling over the weekend at the booth from an image that Richard photographed at the 2013 Lost Dutchman Days.
 

Honor Box Soldiers

photo  submitted by Yvonne Kirksey, DSN Customer Service

Great Example of Self-Management and People Who Care


This past weekend Delmarva experienced yet another winter snow storm that affected our production and left us scrambling to close the month and take care of our customers.  While everyone everywhere at INI stepped up and helped out we had two at DPC that really went “above and beyond” to make sure our customers and production employees were taken care of.  Recognizing Monday was going to be a “snow day”  Jaclyn Fuller and Toni Hewes, on their own, decided they better go into work on Sunday to close the month and do all the “prep” work for the next two days.  Adjusting print and work schedules, calling customers, invoicing jobs, doing mail files, contacting employees who would be affected by the storm and completing as much of the “upfront” production that they could to keep work flowing. 

They did a great job and we thank them for their initiative and more importantly how much they care about our company and customers!    

…and from one of our customers affected by the snow storm!

 
Good morning Tom,

I just wanted to let you know that Jaclyn has certainly gone above and beyond for our newspaper, The Delmarva Farmer. She is always so great to work with.

We had some delivery issues yesterday because the post office here in Easton didn’t have anyone to take the paperwork for our March 4th edition. Jaclyn was in touch with us (our office was closed) to make sure we knew about this issue and let us know each step of the way what was happening.

I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate her.
 

Thanks,
Megan