Welcome to John Graber

 

John has joined Independent Newsmedia in our Arizona region as a reporter.

I am John Graber.  I live in Tempe, Arizona and am originally from the South Side of Chicago but my parents moved the family to Sierra Vista, Ariz. when I was in the sixth grade. 

My immediate family are my wife Jacki, daughter Riley and our dog Benny. 

My background includes covering the Scottsdale City Council and school board for the Scottsdale Independent. I have worked part-time in the Arizona Daily Star's sports department as well as full-time positions with the Sierra Vista Herald, The Olympian (Olympia, Wash), The Courier (Findlay, Ohio) and the Scottsdale Progress.

I am an avid reader with a penchant for the Russian classics (which is weird, I know). I also like to fish, play classical guitar and spend time with my family ---- my daughter is 7 so she needs constant entertainment.

Tammi Kelly Celebrates 5 Years With INI

Name: Tammi Kelly

Newspaper: Okeechobee News

Position: Columnist, photographer, reporter, community coordinator, ad sales rep, page building and jack of all trades.

Number of years in the Newspaper or printing business: 5 years

What I like best about my job: Everything. Every day is an adventure here. I am doing what I love and surrounded by good people in a great town!

Most memorable moment with INI: So many! I have met the “Gator Boys.” I have been behind the scenes at shows, festivals and events! I have been on swamp buggie rides, air boat adventures, petted wild animals, rode a pirate ship and so much more. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me here at INI!

Hobbies/interests: The community is my pastime. I love helping make Okeechobee a better place. I am involved in many projects and also on the boards of many non-profits that I believe in such as Martha’s House, which is a shelter for abused woman here in Okeechobee and the B.R.A.T. Club; which stands for Building Relationships Among Teens. One of my favorite projects with the B.R.A.T. Club is Project Prom, which I started three years ago. The project collects formal attire for the youth in Okeechobee for prom and other formal dances and gives dresses, suits and shoes away free to the students. Last year we collected 315 dresses and helped 230 students. I love Okeechobee! It’s my home!

Fun fact about myself: I am very active. I like to ride bikes, motorcycle and mountain climb. I am a competive clay shooter and I am into long bow archery. I love to go on nature hikes and visit museums.

Favorite quote: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Dr. Seuss from the Lorax.

Tina Pendexter Celebrates 10 Years With INI

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE

10 YEARS

Name:  Tina Pendexter

Newspaper: Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, East Mesa, Gilbert & Queen Creek/San Tan Valley Independent Newspapers

Position:  Business Manager

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business:  10 years (this time), at the age of 10, I delivered the Casa Grande Dispatch and the Penny Saver off of my bicycle for a couple of years!

Job description:  I manage everything in the East Valley office except the Editorial side of things.  We have a shared leadership in our office which works out very well.  I have an excellent sales, circulation and production staff!

What I like best (about my job):  Working with the staff to see the fruits of our labor come to life.

Most memorable moment with INI:   Every day is memorable when you work with people you like.

Hobbies/Interests:  My main interests are community, children and making sure people are fed.  I am currently on the Board of Directors for the United Food Bank, The East Valley Boys & Girls Clubs and the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce.  Then we are also foster care providers.  I like to see people who are deserving, happy and I try my best to give back when and where I can.

Fun fact (about myself):  A fun fact about myself is that I played trombone from grade 4 thru 12^th grade.  I held 1^st chair throughout that time.  I very much enjoyed band and was involved in marching band, honor band, jazz band, winter band, and yes, I even went to band camp!

Steve Steinke Celebrates 15 Years With INI

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE

15 YEARS

Name: Steve Steinke

Newspaper: Valley Newspapers

Position: Development Director

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: 34

Job description: Reviewing both current operational and visionary objectives for the division with the regional Vice President. Assisting with future transitions of people and resources by applying experience and oversight. Maintaining ambassadorial relationships with both clients and those in the Arizona print marketplace. 

What I like best (about my job): Honestly, after four consecutive years of scheduling and coordinating two aggressive back-to-back press and building upgrades, it is nice to be concentrating on how best to make those now reap benefits. Less time on managing capital improvements translates into more time on tweaking    processes and growing business. 

Most memorable moment with INI: I'm humbled by having several memorable moments, but the one that still stands out is the planning, oversight, and opening of our new facility back in 2001.

Hobbies/Interests: I 'm a grandad and love spending time with my two grandsons and two granddaughters. I have been involved in the Phoenix area community in a number of ways since I've been here. And almost everyone knows my passion for weather and the sky is well known around the world. I still love it every time i get a chance to encourage those in the study of meteorology.

Fun fact (about myself): I once had an invitation from the USAF to fly into a hurricane on one of their hurricane hunter aircraft. At the last minute I backed out, not because I was fearful of the flight, but because of a conversation I had with another who had gone and told me just how airsick he was for 8 long hours? No thanks. I didn't want it THAT bad!

Glenn Rolfe Celebrates 10 Years With INI

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
10 YEARS

Glenn Rolfe

Name: Glenn W. Rolfe

Newspaper: Sussex County Post

Position: News Editor

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: 33 (23 in sports at the Evening, now Morning, Times, in Sayre, Pa.)

Job description: cover major issues, news, happening and events on a countywide basis in Sussex.

What I like best (about my job): Diversity. No two weeks are ever the same.

Most memorable moment with INI: There are two: Meeting and working for a brief period with the late Wright Robinson, and Interviewing Charlie Daniel for a feature story.

Hobbies/Interests: Ice hockey, NASCAR racing, college football, especially Penn State.

Fun fact (about myself): Back in Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania and New York state from where I migrated, I am known as Dr. Pepper – for my culinary love and ability to mow down some of the hottest peppers on earth.

Joshua Langley Celebrates 5 Years

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
5 YEARS

Joshua Langley

Name: Joshua Langley

Newspaper: Valley Newspapers

Position: Second pressman in training

Number of Years in the Newspaper or printing Business: 5 Years

What I like best (about my job): Learning new things everyday!

Most memorable moment with INI : Installation of the new press.

Hobbies/Interests: Working on cars

Fun Fact (about myself): Easy going and good natured.

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
10 YEARS

Pete Gawda

Name: Pete Gawda

Newspaper: Okeechobee News

Position: Reporter/photographer

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: 10 years

Job description: I cover city and county government, environmental issues as well as serving as a general assignment reporter. I take photographs to illustrate my stories and for stand alones.

What I like best about my job: Every day is different. You never know what to expect. Before I took this job I never knew government meetings could sometimes be humorous and sometimes unexpected things happen to make the meeting more interesting.

Most memorable moment with INI: Getting to take the controls of a WWII era trainer aircraft.

Hobbies/interests: Building model ships, playing chess, reading, solving crossword, suduko and jigsaw puzzles.

Fun fact about myself. When I retire I plan to write a book about my experiences. It may not ever get published, but I intend to write it. I never set out to be newspaper reporter. All I can say is the Good Lord was taking care of me. I was unemployed and walked into the newspaper office and they hired me. It worked out better than anything I could have planned. This is the longest period of time I have worked in one place or lived at the same address. It all worked out according to one of my favorite Bible verses. Romans 8:28.

Patty Celebrates 25 Years With INI

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE

25 YEARS



Name: Patty Brant

Newspaper: Caloosa Belle/Immokalee Bulletin

Position: Editor

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: 27 – I started at the CB in 1985 and was in 1987 when INI came in.

Job description: As the only in-house editorial person for these two papers, all hands-on editorial pretty much falls to me. Since LaBelle and Immokalee are about 25 miles apart and in different counties, that can sometimes be a handful. In small towns everybody knows the paper and feels a personal connection with it. The economy may be sliding downhill and taking advertising with it, but folks still want to see their news in their community paper, even though there’s less paper to put it in. Factor in important hard news and juggling may be my chief skill!.

What I like best (about my job): The people! Both here in the office and in the community. And there’s always something to learn, something new even in the constant rhythm of community life.

Most memorable moment with INI: Favorite story: For many years the American Legion has sponsored Boys State, sending high school juniors to take part in a mock government exercise in Tallahassee. A few years back several of these big, gruff Legionnaires brought three of the boys to the office for an interview before the session. One of the boys was a slight, nice looking African American young man with small round glasses. Very personable and very intelligent. The Legionnaires’ chairman mentioned to this young man that there are lots of scholarship opportunities from Boys State, including a full scholarship to any university in the country. The first qualification was that a close relative must have served in the military.

This young man was very skeptical about his chances for such a scholarship, so the Legionnaire ramped up his sales pitch, working to convince this young man that he, too, really could be the winner. The young man said no, he didn’t have any close relatives who served in the military. Several of the Legionnaires joined in, saying surely someone in his family had been in the military. It didn’t have to be his father or brother – an uncle or grandfather would qualify.

Rather sheepishly, the boy kept dodging, obviously not convinced, but the Legionnaires were determined to find a way to help this promising young man. Finally the boy just gave up and said that his grandfather had been in the navy.

“Well, that’s it! He’d qualify!” the Legionnaires told him.

“I don’t think so,” he told them. “He was in the Japanese navy.”

Well, there was a room full of stunned Legionnaires and a few very awkward moments, but one of them finally picked up the conversation and went on.

And that’s what makes this job so much fun. You just never know what might happen.

Hobbies/Interests: I’ve got a book coming out. Fiction. Mystery called Bitter Secrets about a reporter in a hometown newspaper (now where do you suppose that came from?) trying to unravel the disappearance of a family 40 years earlier. A wheelchair-bound Viet Nam vet, a savvy old black man, the diary of a 13-year-old girl 40 years gone and several horrifying spectral faces help her find the truth.

After sending my manuscript to many publishers over the past few years – none of which could see it was the new Great American Novel – I self-published through iUniverse. It should be out in just a few weeks. Polishing up the sequel now.

Mike Celebrates 10 Years

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
10 YEARS

Michael Fenimore

Name: Michael Fenimore


Newspaper: Pretty much all of them. But based in the Dover, DE corporate offices.

Position: My title is Hardware/Software systems manager, but I have been called the company ‘firefighter’ a few times. *S*

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: Since this is my 10th year, I have been in the printing/paper business that long. Working for DSN was my first position with any news media.

Job description: My main duties are to maintain, troubleshoot and set up computers to be used in various capacities. Primarily user oriented. I have been tasked in the past to assist with our website and small servers for automation. I also do training of Photoshop and pre-press files with Tom Bugbee for Delaware Printing Company’s commercial clients.

What I like best (about my job): I’d have to say the people. It’s nice to walk around the building or be on the phone with someone and be able to make the one-on-one contact. Sharing family crises or celebrations, jokes … and even those special chocolate treats I get from time to time.

Most memorable moment with INI: That’s a tough one. There have been a few. I think I’d have to say watching the KBA press fire up the first time in the new, now 6 year old plant. Watching it and hearing it ‘fire up’ and being amazed at the speed and clarity of the print. That one moment brought goose bumps.

Hobbies/Interests: Well, of course computers are in the list. But my main focus is and pretty much always has been music. I play guitar and attempt to sing once in a while in a 4 piece rock (Y’allternative – a mix of rock, country and mostly eclectic styles of alternative music) band here in Dover.

I can’t forget to mention my daughter Alyssa and her son, now almost 2 years old. And of course the rest of my kids and grand-kids. (oh, can’t forget to mention the animals in the house! 3 cats and a snake.)

Fun fact (about myself): I was a Delaware State News paper-boy from 1968-1970. I had a small route in downtown Dover with about 40 customers. So maybe this was actually my first job in the newspaper business.

Kristina Celebrates 5 Years

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
5 YEARS

Kristina Schwartz

Name: Kristina Schwartz
 
Newspaper: Okeechobee News

Position: Graphic Designer

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: 10; I started as a part-time typesetter during my senior year of high school. I worked for another local newspaper that's now defunct.

Job description: Design eye-catching ads to market local businesses and create attractive special sections that are inserted into the newspaper.

What I like best (about my job): The creative challenges I'm presented with on a daily basis

Most memorable moment with INI: All of my moments have been pretty memorable. It's difficult to choose just one. We've raced the clock on final deadline for many a special section, but looking at that finished product and seeing a job well done is certainly the most rewarding moment.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, writing. I participate in online role-playing games as well

Fun fact (about myself): Every November since 2007, I've taken part in the NaNoWriMo challenge. November is the National Novel Writing Month, and the challenge is to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. I've only officially won it once, in 2008, but I'm confident that this year will break my losing streak. As of November 28, I'm just 2,073 words short of my goal.

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
5 YEARS

Jill Adair

Name: Jill Adair
 
Newspaper: Arizona East Valley Office – Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Mesa and Queen Creek/San Tan Valley Independent newspapers.
 
Position: News Services Editor
 
Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: Since 1985, when I started as a reporter at the East Valley Tribune in Mesa.
 
Job description: I do most anything, including editing, reporting, photography, social media, layout and design and working with interns.
 
What I like best (about my job): Meeting people in the communities that we cover.
 
Most memorable moment with INI: Winning Arizona Newspapers Association awards: First place award for feature photo page of Mesa's Old West Festival, 2009; second place award for feature photo page of the LPGA tournament in Gold Canyon, 2008; and third place for sports photograph of bull riding at Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo in Apache Junction, 2010.
 
Hobbies/Interests: I love to hike, read and spend time with my family. I also like learning more about editing photos using Adobe Photoshop.
 
Fun facts (about myself): I teach JMC 201 – News Writing and Reporting at Arizona State University; I write a regular column in The Beehive newspaper called “Cyber Surfing” that features helpful websites relating to different topics and new mobile apps; and I went skydiving last year for the first time!

Richard Dyer Celebrates 24 Years With INI

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
24 YEARS

Name: Richard H. Dyer
 
Newspapers: Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Gilbert, Mesa and Queen Creek/San Tan Valley Independent newspapers.
 
Position: Managing editor
 
Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: 24 years. I started as a copy editor for the Apache Junction Independent on Aug. 13, 1987.
 
Job description: I do a little bit of everything here – writing, photography, copy editing, pagination, managing, backup for news services and graphics.
 
What I like best (about my job): The people I work with.
 
Most memorable moment with INI: When signs were posted on Apache Trail in Apache Junction at the beginning and end of the one-mile section from Idaho Road to Ironwood Drive showing Independent Newspapers was in the city’s adopt-a-street program.
 
Hobbies/Interests: I’m a welded-steel sculptor. A sculpture I donated to Mesa Community College was unveiled in a ceremony last October (photos are on my artist Facebook page; look for “Rick’s Welded Works”). This summer I had my first juried art show, in California, where I set out my wares for sale in a booth and explained my work to hundreds of prospective customers. I am also the volunteer production editor for The Blue Guitar arts and literary magazine, http://www.theblueguitarmagazine.org/ (my wife, Rebecca, is the volunteer editor); I do the InDesign and PhotoShop work.
 
Fun fact (about myself): My wife and I enjoy storm chasing. We saw our first tornado May 31, 2010, outside Campos, Colo. It started from a wisp in a cloud above us and ended up being recorded as an EF-2 capable of 111-135 mph winds. We followed it and a couple other tornadoes, snapping photos and recording video along the way.
 
A few facts (about myself): I am married (my wife also is a journalist, working as a copy editor for a daily newspaper). We are members of the American Copy Editors Society, http://www.copydesk.org/ . This year’s ACES conference was in Phoenix, where I presented on the small-staffs panel with two other journalists; I hope to also be part of the same seminar panel at the April 12-14, 2012, conference in New Orleans.

Dale Conyers Celebrates 15 Years With INI

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
15 YEARS

Dale Conyers

Name: Dale Conyers
 
Newspaper: Caloosa Belle
 
Position: Graphic artist, salesperson
 
Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: Off and on for 25 years
 
Job description: I do a little bit of everything here
 
What I like best (about my job): The fact that I can do so much - being able to do different things keeps the job lively
 
Most memorable moment with INI: Working with Martha Puletti Briede, she could be a total terror to work for or a total sweetheart and you always learned something from her.
 
Hobbies/Interests: I’m an amateur photographer – you can see some of my work there under http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalesbest/  I also do some gardening.

Sylvia Windsor Celebrates 25 Years with INI

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
25 YEARS

Sylvia Windsor

Name: Sylvia B. Windsor
 
Newspaper: Dorchester Banner
 
Position: News Services
 
Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: 50 years in November
 
Job description: I paginate pages for the Dorchester Banner and special sections; I do ad layout for these editions; I gather local news from e-mail and mail, editing the copy and formatting the photos to use on my pages and read Logan’s stories and check his pages. I also take care of the community calendar and church news. Working in such a small office, we all help each other whenever possible with the goal of producing a quality product.
 
What I like best (about my job): I love paginating and creating something that will please our readers, providing them with the news they need. I love the community and never tire of a challenge. When I began work at The Banner at the age of 18 I started out as a typesetter, then I wrote a weekly column for the editorial page and eventually became Managing Editor for 5 years, then transferred to Compo supervisor, then to copy editor and then to news services. In all that time I never tired of the newspaper business and meeting new people. Although I have to admit there were times when I could have thrown certain individuals in the street and ran over them with my car. But fortunately I didn’t, because I didn’t want to hurt my car and go to jail. Everyone at The Banner helped where needed, and still do. We inserted papers when it was necessary and for 8 years I even delivered the paper in Cambridge. When people ask me when I plan to retire, I just look at them and reply, “I don’t.” As long as I am needed and do a good job, why would I retire, my job is interesting and fun.
 
Most memorable moment with INI: When I accepted an Excellence Award in 2001 from Tammy Brittingham and she hugged and kissed me on the cheek. I admired her knowledge of the newspaper business and her courage in fighting cancer. She was an inspiration to us all and still missed by many. I will never forget her.
 
Hobbies/Interests: I am a cake baker, not by choice but for economic reasons (money). People call me and order a cake and I try to decorate it to their satisfaction. I have been doing this for about 25 years and with the economy as it is, there apparently is no end in sight. I love old movies, 50s, disco and big band music. I love my four cats: Chandler Bing, Phoebe, Ross and Tom Henry. I enjoy eating out especially; Red Lobster and I enjoy my home, which I recently painted Periwinkle (you can’t miss it).
 
Fun fact (about myself): I’m flat-footed, too fat and have a really weird sense of humor. Oh, well nobody’s perfect.

Jim Hoesch Celebrates 5 Years with INI

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
5 YEARS

Name: Jim Hoesch

Newspaper: Independent Newspapers Inc.

Position: Billing

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: 5 wonderful years

Job description: Billing

What I like best (about my job): There are many things that I like about my job, but I must say the people that I work with are wonderful, they are my second family!

Most memorable moment with INI: The day Lisa told Wanda that I didn’t like her shoes!!! Thought that was going to be my last day with INI……LOL

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy working outdoors. Recently I have started building my own lawn furniture.

Fun fact (about myself): In the summer time I like to go home and fill up my kiddy pool and relax with a beer! Let the good times roll!

DAVE CHAMBERS CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
5 YEARS

Dave Chambers

Name: David Wade Chambers

Newspaper: Delaware State News

Position: Photo Editor

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: Five

Job description: I provide photographic coverage of spot news, enterprise and sports assignments, primarily in Kent County, and edit all published photographs using Photoshop. I hire and manage freelance photographers, maintain all digital equipment and update the digital photo archives. I also create layouts, graphics, maps & illustrations as needed.

What I like best (about my job): After 5 years as a photojournalist in Dover, I enjoy finding myself in the role of “memory maker”. Every time I take a snapshot, I am basically making memories for people and families. Whether it’s a football game, a school play, an election, a parade, etc…. they are memories they may cut out and hang on their refrigerator, keep forever in a scrapbook and hopefully cherish forever. I also like how working at the State News has allowed me to get the opportunity to teach photography at Delaware Technical and Community College one night a week per semester.

Most memorable moment with INI: I have two. First, in January 2009 when then President-Elect Obama came to Wilmington during his whistle stop tour to Washington before his inauguration. It was a Saturday in January. I was in Wilmington at 6am (I was the second photog there) and it was a frigid six degrees. The media gathered in a huge park and waited for the thousands of people to arrive. Obama and Biden didn’t get there until 2pm. So, I was outside for approx. 8 hours in freezing temperatures, with thousands of Obama supporters, I saw a President, a Vice-President and I almost lost all ten toes due to frostbite. Unforgettable.

Secondly, the Case of The Hartly Monkey. In 2007, we did a story on a garage demolition in Hartly. The garage sat on the town’s four corners and was beloved by the townspeople for generations apparently. One hundred or so Hartly residents came out to witness the demolition and most told stories to each other of how they had heard from an older family member that there were monkey bones buried in one of the concrete columns of the garage. Apparently an eccentric owner of the garage in the 40s or 50s had a menagerie of exotic animals behind the building and after one of his pet monkeys had died he buried it in the concrete. After a while, I realized I was hearing about a local town legend….one the townspeople didn’t really know for sure was real or not. After getting my photographs of the bulldozers, I left. But as I was leaving, I asked the people to call the State News if they indeed found monkey bones. I wasn’t back in the newsroom 5 minutes when the phone rang. 20 minutes later I was back at the destroyed garage and had taken a photo of a Hartly woman holding a very small monkey skull. It was on the front page the next day. It was a local town legend proved true and it happened on my watch. Unforgettable.

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy photography, Adobe Photoshop and graphic design obviously. I also enjoy painting (I was a Painting major at the University of Delaware in the 80s), watching British television, drinking Pepsi, eating pizza, listening to old school hip-hop, and driving BMWs. I like the New York Yankees, going to the beach, playing golf and riding my mountain bike. Someday I hope to get married and have a kid named Schmitty, Jr.

Fun facts (about myself):

1. At age 11, I was the first black belt to graduate from the Delaware Institute of Martial Arts (sounds cooler than it is, really)

2. I have never been outside of the Eastern Time Zone (even more embarrassing than it sounds, really).

3. My former jobs were (in chronological order) fast food cook, athletic sneaker salesman, sign maker, banker, bartender (one night), substitute teacher, Photoshop technician, graphic designer and Trash Can Dan (don’t ask...really).

Cathianne Werner-Porterfield Celebrates 10 Years

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE
10 YEARS

Cat Werner-Porterfield

Name: Cathianne Werner-Porterfield
 
Newspaper: The Banner
 
Position: Advertising Manager
 
Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: About a dozen.
 
Job description: I help advertising clients grow their businesses by showing them how to reach the best possible audience – Banner readers!!
 
What I like best (about my job): While I truly appreciate the process of helping a client develop a marketing plan that works for them – the thrill of the “sale” is what I like “best.”
 
Most memorable moment with INI: There are so many. I sure do miss those days in the bullpen – there are few jobs as rewarding or fun as the job of a journalist. And having mentors such as Tammy Brittingham, Andy West, Bret McKeand, John Wolfe and Ed Dulin have really shaped me into a smarter, better newspaper person.
 
Hobbies/Interests: I don’t have hobbies or interests. I have passions! Give me art, literature, music and I am one happy girl! Right now I’m eyeball deep in learning to play guitar and boy do my fingers hurt!
 
Fun fact (about myself): I front a local rock band, The Lost Positives, and pen the lyrics for our original music. We are starting to get air play on local radio and have been having a blast!

Julie Maurer Celebrates 5 Years

ANNIVERSARY PROFILE

5 YEARS

Julie Maurer

Name: Julie Maurer

Newspaper: Surprise and Sun City West Independent

Position: News Editor

Number of years in the newspaper or printing business: Five

Job description: News editor for the communities of Surprise and Sun City West. I write front page stories for each paper, along with Page 2 stories and community news briefs. I take Page 1 and Page 2 photos, and edit the opinions pages for both products. I also contribute editorial content for special sections and our monthly Arrowhead newspaper.

What I like best (about my job): I love finding out what is important to our readers and trying to cover those issues. I am also encouraged when we inspire residents to get involved in their local government. I went to a recent association meeting in Sun City West. After the meeting, I went up to talk to one of the board members to clarify his quote. When I was done, I turned around and there was a line of people waiting to talk to me to give me updates on issues!

Most memorable moment with INI: Two moments stick out the most to me. First, when i won the Sunshine Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for defending the public’s rights to open records. This was rewarding to me because I had been working on a story for a long time about a school board member who refused to release public records. It was such an uphill battle, and it was great that the organization recognized the fight. Second, I moderated a candidates’ debate during a heavily contested school board race. Unlike other forums for that race, the Independent’s debate was packed and aired on the local television station. It was amazing to see so many voters interested in their community and submit hard-hitting questions for the candidates.

Hobbies/Interests: I am a huge fan of musical theater, and can often be heard singing showtunes as I drive around the Northwest Valley. My husband and I are actively involved in our church, where he is a worship leader. I am also an avid reader, and my husband just bought me a Kindle e-reader in hopes to save some money on books!

Fun fact (about myself): I started at this company with a different name – Julie Conolly. I met, dated and married my husband all while working for INI.

"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.

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!