A Diamond Jubilee Concho pearls

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Official Publication of the West Texas Press Association
www.wtpa.org
EST
EST.. 1926
August, 2005
A
Diamond Jubilee
among the
Concho pearls
Little Thomas Brisendine, son of Brian and Susan Brisendine of
Hereford, gets a “Welcome to San Angelo” peck on the cheek from
WTPA board member Sandi Baylis of American Profile magazine in
Franklin, TN
For the tenth time in the
75-year history of the West
Texas Press Association, San
Angelo hospitality greeted
publishers, staffers, families
and guests of “The World’s
Largest Regional Press Association.”
Diamond Jubilee summer
convention festivities took
place July 21-23, headquartered at the San Angelo Inn
and Conference Center in
downtown San Angelo. This
year marked the association’s
change from three full days to
a program filling two and
one-half days. The shorter
convention schedule was
implemented to reduce lodging expense for registered
participants.
WTPA first convened in
San Angelo in 1947, and previously returned in 1956,
1961, 1966, 1969, 1975, 1979,
1984 and 1995.
The 75th anniversary convention was organized and
chaired by Randy Mankin,
publisher/editor of the
Eldorado Success. Nearly 100
people participated in convention activities and enjoyed
an extraordinary lineup of
speakers.
Traditional golf competition, hosted by Robert Burns
of Sprint, launched the 2005
convention Thursday morning, July 21. Sixteen golfers
enjoyed the well groomed
fairways and challenging
greens of the Bentwood
Country Club.
Opening night festivities
began at the uniquely designed San Angelo Fine Arts
See JUBILEE, P
P.. 12
Mankin moves up to presidency
Eldorado publisher will guide association during 2005-2006 term
Randy Mankin, president
of Masked Rider Publishing,
Inc., and publisher/editor of
the Eldorado Success, was
elected president of the West
Texas Press Association at the
75th anniversary Diamond Jubilee summer convention July
21-23 in San Angelo.
Mankin had served the
past year as first vice president of “The World’s Largest
Regional Press Association”
and organized and chaired
the San Angelo convention.
He succeeds Roy Robinson,
publisher/vice president of
Graham Newspapers, Inc., as
WTPA president.
Mankin’s publishing company was expected to expand
with the purchase of the Big
Lake Wildcat, effective Aug.
11. Mankin serves on the
Texas Press Association
board of directors. He was city
administrator of Eldorado
from 1999 until 2004 and continues to serve as president of
the Schleicher County Hospi-
tal District board of directors.
He and his wife, Kathy, reside in Eldorado and are the
parents of two children.
Daughter Sarah begins medical school this fall in California and son J.L. will continue
studies at Angelo State University while assisting his parents at the newspaper office
in Eldorado.
Other WTPA officers
elected in San Angelo are
See MANKIN
MANKIN,, P
P.. 2
RAND
Y MANKIN
RANDY
...2005-2006 WTPA president
Page Two
Harold Hudson Award goes
to Granbury’s Joe Thompson
Joe Thompson of Granbury was presented the 2005
Harold Hudson Memorial Award on July 23 at the San Angelo
Inn in San Angelo at the summer convention for the West
Texas Press Association (WTPA).
The award is in memory of the late Harold Hudson, publisher of the Perryton Herald and prominent member and past
president of WTPA and the National Newspaper Association.
The Hudson memorial is presented at WTPA’s annual
convention to an individual who has significantly contributed to the publishing industry and West Texas Press Association.
In making the presentation, 2002 award winner Mark
Jordan of Decatur praised Thompson by saying “This year’s
honoree has achieved such (prominent status) by his peers
and is not only worthy of recognition on his merits, but also
on his style and integrity. He is a low-key person who displays rare temperment, style and grace in our industry which
isn’t always easy and at times is almost impossible.”
Born in Electra, Texas July 27, 1948, Thompson married
his wife Jana on Jan. 26, 1968. He started work as sports writer
at the Vernon Daily Record in 1972. In 1975 he left the industry to manage a Red Wing Shoe Store in Oklahoma City but
soon returned to Electra the following year as editor of the
Electra Star-News which he purchased in 1981. Joe published
the Star-News until 1986 when he joined the staff of the Hood
County News in Granbury where he serves as assistant publisher. In addition to his numerous services to his community, he served as president of West Texas Press in 1993.
Joe and Jana have a daughter and son-in-law Krystal and
Neal Bradford of Fort Worth and a son and daughter-in-law
Joe Paul and Kim Thompson of Granbury and a granddaughter, Bailey Kate Thompson.
Mark Jordan, left, a previous recipient of the Harold Hudson
Award, made the same award presentation to Joe Thompson
of the Hood County News during the annual convention in
San Angelo in July.
Thompson wins fourth consecutive golf title
The 2005 version of the
West Texas Press Annual Golf
Outing was held at Bentwood
Country Club and Estates in
San Angelo on July 21.
And this year’s winner was
a familiar face in the winner’s
circle, finishing there for the
fourth consecutive year.
Bentwood was able to offer
an interesting layout of wide
open fairways with enough
sand and water to keep it interesting. The course was in
great shape due primarily to the
early season rains in the San
Angelo area.
Joe Thompson, with the
Hood County News, was the
2005 tournament winner,
MANKIN...
Roger Estlack of the
Clarendon Enterprise as first
vice president and convention chair, Bob Brincefield of
the Brownwood Bulletin as
second vice president and
convention finance chair,
Mary Dudley of The Perryton
Herald as secretary-treasurer
and Robinson as chairman of
the board.
Cathy Collier of the Fredericksburg Standard/Radio
Post was elected to a one-year
shooting 2 over par 74.
The key to scoring well was
to not be long on approach
shots and Thompson did just
that. Great round of golf, Joe!
The win at Bentwood followed first place finishes by
Thompson at The Cliffs in 2004,
Lubbock Country Club in 2003
and Alpine Country Club in
2002.
Coming in second was Joe
Solely with the San Angelo Standard-Times shooting 76,
Brentwood is Joe Solely’s home
course.
Placing third shooting 86
was Marshall Day with the
Gatesville Messenger.
...Continued from Page One
vacancy term on the board of
directors and will serve as
2006 Better Newspaper Contest chair. Continuing director Mark Engebretson, editor
of The Graham Leader, will
serve as the 2006 Better
Newspaper Contest finance
chair.
Second-year directors, in
addition to Collier and
Engebretson, are Robert
Burns of Sprint and John
Schmid of The Kerrville Daily
Times.
Sandi Baylis of American
Profile magazine, Franklin,
Tenn., was re-elected to a
two-year term as director.
Newly elected two-year
directors are Brian Brisendine
of the Hereford Brand, Kevin
Hamilton of the Iowa Park
Leader and Todd Griffith of the
Wise County Messenger.
Mankin appointed past
president Bob Dillard of the
Jeff Davis County Mountain
Dispatch, Fort Davis, to continue as WTPA scholarship
chairman and Robinson to
succeed Dillard as membership chairman. He will appoint chairmen of selection
committees for the Harold
Hudson Award and Dewane
Kelly Friend of the Newspaper Award at the board’s
January meeting at D/FW Airport.
Page Three
Barbara says
‘goodbye’--sorta
Longtime secretary-treasurer will
remain active as association’s historian
The woman who has kept scores of presidents, officers, committee chairmen and board members on task
and on track for over 25 years, Barbara Craig Kelly,
decided to retire at the end of this year’s convention.
Kelly, who has served as WTPA’s secretary-treasurer
officially for almost 25 years, and unofficially for years
before that (with her first husband, Roy Craig, who died
in 1982) was honored with a surprise presentation during the awards banquet Friday evening, July 22, in San
Angelo.
Keynote speaker Tumbleweed Smith interviewed
Kelly, under the guise of using the interview for his
weekly radio program, and aired excerpts during
the banquet, much to her surprise.
Hea
WTPA president Roy
to M rtfelt T
y
h
a
Robinson then addressed the
WTP
I
WTPA president Roy
men am ove
A Fanks
d
r
w
o
crowd, noting that Kelly has
helm
at th us ho
mily
Robinson presents a
e
n
e
d
o
r
F
with
Con
rida
and
been “the keeper of the keys
plaque and a
v
Ang ention y dinne special gratitu
d
elo.
of W
r
to the heart and soul of the
Dillard’s gift
est T during recognit e for th
I app
e
i
e
t
o
h
x
n
t
a
e
certificate to
the
West Texas Press Association
re
reci
s Pre
I
e
ss A Diamon receive than ntertai ate all th
d
s
d
retiring long-time
s
for
more than 25 years.
n
ocia
J
“WT ks for t ing and e prepa
tion ubilee
P
board secretaryh
r
i
n Sa
“She has trained more ofcher A Fam e gene enjoya ation a
n
ily” a
ish f
ble e
nd p
rous
treasurer
o
l
nd
ven
an
ficers and directors than most of
ry
gi
A
gene s I look ears to the beauft certif ing. A ning of
Barbara
s
i
c
e
c
r
p
us in the room can remember,”
of ho ations d out i ome. tiful pla ate fro ecial
Craig
que
m m
frien w my li I have k nto the
Robinson
added, “and has made
that
y
now
fe ha
face
dshi
Kelly.
I wil
n
s
p
s
sw
in
l
of
b
I
a generation of presidents look
hesi feel priv e have een enh WTPA, I at leas
v
t
a
s
w
i
e
l
n
t
h
h
a
good.”
ced
ared
I don and r eged t
by th s remin ree
.
ded
Ham ’t think especte o have
e
b
He also mentioned that she “has
eaut
iful
as s lin in 1 I misse d organi been a p
d
9
created an administrative template
his decretary 60. I as a conv zation f art of t
h
o
e
/
e
s
i
r
n
t
a
i
s
s
r
m
t
t
easu
ted
coelec
h in
now used by other regional press asany
m ion a
mar ted to c1981. A rer from y husb fter mo years.
sociations.”
activried Dew ontinuet that tim the lat and Bobving to
e
e
a
e
C
i
n
p
n
,
1
r
Kelly was presented with a
e W.
artic
I wa
aig
in 19
960’
tha
sure 99. As mipant in Kelly, w t positi s please s until
plaque in recognition of her many
o
fine r respon ost alr WTPA a ho quic n. In 1 d to be
e
k
c
men
9
sibil
a
years of service, as well as a gift cer.
ities dy knowtivities uly becam84, I
S
ntil h
were
, the
e an
rewa erving
tificate.
is
s
a
shar
ciati rding a s secre
ed wecretary death
n
An important asset to WTPA, and the
o
t
/
ith t
I ser n to al d I wan ary/tre
hese treal
a
t
v
t
two
newspaper field, Kelly was awarded the
the W ed. Th he off to exp surer
icers
was
ress
e de
TPA
the
m
e
d
a
sp
ic
bo
nd
Harold Hudson Memorial Award, WTPA’s
y
offersuccess ard in i ation an directosincere ecially
t
a
d
o
r
s
m
p
s wi
highest honor, in 1997, and the Dewane
lead
prewor
direc y con f this
th
k
e
stro tors whgratulat unique rship ro performwhom
Kelly
Award, named for her late second
ng o
regio
le is
ions
o ar
ed b
r
t
t
e
n
g
h
y
o
a
a
e
c
A
t
l
n
husband, who was always one step ahead
now s the se ization ontinuin he curre associa key to
.
n
t
g
c
i
i
n
t
r
o
t
etar
o
n
the
he t
of the needs of the organization, in 2002.
in Pe
y
c
radi fficers a . I
tion
alon rryton, apable /treasur
n
d
Kelly has been an integral part of
of th
and g with t I want t hands o er resp
i
s
o
o
h
f
fulfil
WTPA’s success over the past 25 years, and
lmene hope extend Mary H nsibilitie
udso
my b
s are
t tha that s
knows more history about the association
n
es
h
t I fo
und e might t wishe Dudley
s
so tr
e
than all of the members combined.
ue fo xperien to her
ce jo
r me
With that in mind, new president Randy
y
.
Mankin has appointed her as the WTPA histoBarb Most sin
ara
c
rian, to catalog and keep the memorabilia of the
Crai erely,
g Ke
lly
organization for future generations.
Page Four
Diamond Jubilee snapshots
San Angelo, 2005
Terry Armstro
n
on an item du g of the Throckmorton Trib
ring the silent
u
auction. Over ne ups the ante
from the auctio
$
1,400
n
a
n
d that money
den
went to the ass was raised
y
a
H
d
n
ociation’s
scholarship fu
ring
ks (l) a
nd.
ger Ban tertainment du ’ a
o
R
,”
s
d
r
“The Pa (r) provided en t Concho. Cuttinl),
n
o
t
er (
For
g
Whittin ention’s visit to are Lexie Berg ate
s
K
v
e
y
n
the co ne of their tun r (c) and Baile
o
e
rug to er Lindy Berg on.
little sist
Thomps
Grub
....
Grub....
Sprint representatives Don
Houston (l) of Van and Robert
Burns (r) of Stephenville, were
first in line for a run down the
chow line at one of the meals
during the convention.
EST
EST.. 1926
...& more grub
Texas Press Association president Judy
Johnson of Winnie presented WTPA president
Roy Robinson with a $1,000 check for convention expenses. Johnson’s visit to San Angelo marked her first official regional association trip since taking office in July.
Carole Brincefield (l), wife of
Brownwood Bulletin publisher
Bob Brincefield, seems in a
daze as to food selection at one
of the convention meals. A
kitchen staff walk-out two
hours prior to the first meal
forced maintenance and
housekeeping staff at the hotel to pitch in with the food service chores, but all went well.
Page Five
Diamond Jubilee snapshots
San Angelo, 2005
San Angelo
Standard-Times
editor Timothy
Archuleta welcomes
WTPA members to
San Angelo for
their 75th
Diamond Jubilee
celebration
Fort Concho
personne
cannon sho l rattled the feet of conve
ts across the
n
large fort’s g tion-goers with
rounds.
Saying goodbye...
Linda Caton (l)
and David Werst
(r) said their
goodbyes during
the annual WTPA
convention in San
Angelo. Linda has
retired from longtime association
supporter AEP
and David has
sold his Big Lake
Wildcat
newspaper to
Masked Rider
Publishing.
of
owe t h e
L
m
i
g
.
nts J
bein
rese 5 0 f o r v e n t i o n
p
)
r
n
$
(
s
o
i
s
h
c
t
the
as H
Burn d w i
bert h Recor duringts “Good ng-time
o
R
d
patc
han
man
he lo
ober
tery asas Dis ake his ames R d after t er.
s
y
M
the J name u b l i s h
amp
to sh
the L person ward is ward,” News p
50th e cash a shake A County
Th Hand r e w s
d
And
Wor
The San Angelo Fin
e
place for WTPA’s Th Arts Museum provided a
ursd
as well as a chance ay evening reception,
WTPA’ers are show to tour the facility.
n
uniquely styled build above arriving at the
Brincefield of Brow ing, and below, Carol
waite of cg Creatio nwood, Carmen Goldthns and Carol Lee Ro
bins
of Graham ponder
one of the pieces in on
the
exhibit.
Page Six
Bulletin, Messenger, Tribune,
The Brownwood Bulletin, Wise
County Messenger, River Cities Tribune and Eldorado Success were
named the Sweepstakes winners
in the West Texas Press Association 2005 Better Newspaper Contest.
The winners were announced
at the conclusion of the annual
awards brunch that brought to a
climax the annual convention in
San Angelo.
Entries were from issues published during calendar year 2004.
The Brownwood Bulletin
claimed the overall award in Division A for dailies in cities under
50,000 population.
The Wise County Messenger
won the overall award in Division
B for semi-weeklies and twin
weeklies.
The River Cities Tribune was the
cream of the crop in Division C for
weeklies of 1,801 circulation and
above.
The Eldorado Success was tops
in Division D for weeklies of 1,800
circulation and below.
The contest judging was under
the direction of Dr. Tommy
Thomason, director of the
Schieffer School of Journalism at
Texas Christian University in Fort
Worth.
Special Section
Division A
1st Brownwood Bulletin
view Daily Herald
2nd Plain
Plainview
imes
3rd Kerrville Daily T
Times
Division B
1st Lampasas Dispatch
Record
2nd Gatesville Messenger
3rd Graham Leader
HM Breckenridge American
HM Wise County Messenger
Division C
1st Muleshoe Journal
2nd Castro County News
vil Herald
3rd Hondo An
Anvil
Division D
1st Morton T
Tribune
ribune
2nd Olney Enterprise
3rd Clarendon Enterprise
Advertising
Division A
1st Roswell Daily Record
2nd Hereford Brand
3rd Brownwood Bulletin
Division B
1st Wise County Messenger
2nd Lampasas Dispatch
Record
3rd The Highlander
Division C
Photography
Division A
1st Roswell Daily Record
imes
2nd Kerrville Daily T
Times
view Daily Herald
3rd Plain
Plainview
1st Fredericksburg Standard/
Radio Post
2nd Clay County Leader
3rd Iowa Park Leader
Division B
1st Ozona Stockman
ribune
2nd Morton T
Tribune
3rd Olney Enterprise
Division C
Division D
Sports Writing
Division A
view Daily Herald
1st Plain
Plainview
2nd Hereford Brand
3rd Brownwood Bulletin
Division B
1st The Highlander
ribune-Chief
2nd Quanah T
Tribune-Chief
3rd Breckenridge American
HM Wise County Messenger
1st Wise County Messenge
Messenger
2nd Hood County News
3rd Breckenridge American
ribune
1st The River Cities T
Tribune
2nd Iowa Park Leader
3rd Clay County Leader
HM Fredericksburg Standard/
Radio Post
Division D
1st Clarendon Enterprise
2nd Hico News Review
3rd The Eldorado Success
ribune
HM The Morton T
Tribune
Column Writing
Division C
Division A
Division D
Division B
1st Iowa Park Leader
vil Herald
2nd Hondo An
Anvil
ribune
3rd River Cities T
Tribune
1st Hico News Review
2nd Eldorado Success
3rd Friona Star
1st Hereford Brand
2nd Brownwood Bulletin
imes
3rd Kerrville Daily T
Times
1st The Brownfield News
2nd The Highlander
3rd Lampasas Dispatch
Record
Winners, all
Winners were abundant Saturday during the West Texas Press Association’s 2005 Better Newspaper Contest awards brunch
in San Angelo. Pictured are, sitting, from left, Davie Browder, Castro County News; Dolores Hamilton, Iowa Park Leader;
Juliet Lemond, Brownwood Bulletin; Debbie Day, The Gatesville Messenger; Mary Dudley, Perryton Herald; and Rochelle
Stidham, Stephenville Empire-Tribune; standing, from left, Mike Bush, Roswell Daily Record; Roger Estlack, Clarendon
Enterprise; Jim Lowe, Lampasas Dispatch Record; Mac McKinnon, Dublin Citizen; Lea Bell, Muleshoe Journal; Bill Crist,
Brownwood Bulletin; Chris Crews, Marble Falls Highlander; Kimberly Jung, Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post; Lynn
Brisendine, Brownfield News; Brian Brisendine, Hereford Brand; Randy Mankin, Eldorado Success; Gene Deason, Brownwood
Bulletin; Rollie Hyde, Plainview Herald; and Todd Griffith, Wise County Messenger.
Page Seven
Success sweepstakes winners
Division C
ribune
1st River Cities T
Tribune
2nd Clay County Leader
vil Herald
3rd Hondo An
Anvil
Division D
1st Hico News Review
2nd Eldorado Success
3rd Ozona Stockman
Division D
1st Eldorado Success
2nd Friona Star
3rd Dublin Citizen
2nd Lake Country Sun
ribune
3rd River Cities T
Tribune
Division D
1st Hico News Review
2nd Clarendon Enterprise
3rd Eldorado Success
Feature Writing
Division A
News Writing
Editorials
Division A
ville Empire
1st Stephen
Stephenville
Tribune
imes
2nd Kerrville Daily T
Times
view Daily Herald
3rd Plain
Plainview
Division B
1st Wise County Messenger
2nd Gatesville Messenger
3rd Lampasas Dispatch
Record
3rd Hood County News
Division C
Radio Post
2nd Lake Country Sun
ribune
3rd River Cities T
Tribune
3rd Clay County Leader
HM Iowa Park Leader
Division A
1st Hereford Brand
2nd Brownwood Bulletin
3rd Roswell Daily Record
Division B
1st Perryton Herald
2nd Hood County News
3rd Breckenridge American
Division C
1st Fredericksburg Standard/
Radio Post
Division D
1st Eldorado Success
2nd Dublin Citizen
3rd Ozona Stockman
General Excellence
Division A
view Daily Herald
1st Plain
Plainview
2nd Roswell Daily Record
3rd Brownwood Bulletin
1st Brownwood Bulletin
2nd Roswell Daily Record
view Herald
3rd Plain
Plainview
Division B
1st Gatesville Messenger
2nd Breckenridge American
3rd Hood County News
HM Brownfield New
News
Division C
Division B
Division C
ribune
1st The River Cities T
Tribune
2nd Fredericksburg
Standard/Radio Post
3rd Iowa Park Leader
1st Fredericksburg Standard/
1st Wise County Messenger
2nd Lamesa Press Reporter
3rd Graham Leader
1st Castro County News
vil Herald
2nd Hondo An
Anvil
3rd Clay County Leader
Division D
1st Dublin Citizen
2nd Eldorado Success
3rd Friona Star
Special thanks...
...to our convention sponsors & Better Newspaper Contest sponsors, without whose help and
assistance we would be unable to present our grand summer conventions and honor our
industry’s finest...
CONVENTION
SPONSORS
Abitibi Consolidated ★ American Electric Power
Graham Newspapers, Inc. ★ Granite Publications
Gatesville Messenger ★ Lamesa Press-Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram ★ Southern Newspapers
Orange House Productions ★ South Plains Printing
Publisher’s Web ★ San Angelo Standard-Times
Sprint ★ Valor Telecom
Wise County Messenger
--BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST SPONSORS--
Sweepstakes
Sprint
General Excellence
Hood County News, Granbury
Category Sponsors
American Electric Power, Consolidated Southwest Media, Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post, Hill Country Community Press,
Graham Newspapers, Inc., Masked Rider Publishing, Inc.
Plaque Sponsors
Gatesville Messenger, Metro Creative Graphics, Perryton Herald, Plainview Daily Herald, South Plains Printing/Lamesa, Wise
County Messenger, Southern Newspapers
And a Very Special Thank You to The Hood County News for the printing of our
association publication once again this year.
WTPA amends by-laws in ‘housekeeping’ move
Two “housekeeping” amendments to the By-Laws of
West Texas Press Association, Inc., were unanimously approved at the annual business meeting Saturday, July, 23 in
San Angelo.
The first update completes the two-year transition of
the association’s secretary-treasurer responsibilities from
Barbara Craig Kelly to Mary Dudley. Principal Office Section 1.01 was amended to read, “The principal office of the
corporation in the State of Texas shall be located in the City
of Perryton, County of Ochiltree. The corporation may have
such other offices, either within or without the State of Texas,
as the Board of Directors may determine or as the affairs of
the corporation may require from time to time. Registered
Agent: Mary H. Dudley, 706 SW 10th, Perryton, TX 79070.”
The second update conforms to the U.S. Postal Service change from Second Class Permit to Periodical Permit
for newspapers. Active Membership Section 2.04, Paragraph
(a) was amended to read. “Active membership will be limited to newspapers or periodicals, provided they are printed
in the geographic area concerned, issued at least once each
month, and circulate through Periodical Permit mailing
privileges for a period of at least three months prior to date
of application for membership.”
Page Eight
Elmer Kelton: journalist & western novelist
Elmer Kelton’s work as a journalist fueled his second,
“That was the most beautiful check I had seen in my
prosperous career as a western novelist.
life,” he said, saying that it was about $65.
“Newspaper writing and fiction writing complimented
The need for a steady income led Kelton to the San Aneach other,” Kelton said. “There were a lot of things that I
gelo Standard-Times after graduation. He would work there
saw in my newspaper work that I was able to use in my
15 years as the farm and ranch writer/editor before movwriting.”
ing on to Sheep and Goat Raiser Magazine,
Kelton shared his life story, his venture into
where he held the editor title for 5 years, and
fiction writing and the people he met along
then for 22 years, he served as associate editor
the way with West Texas Press Association
of Livestock Weekly. He retired from journalmembers during the 2005 conference’s openism in 1990 at the age of 65.
ing evening July 21 in San Angelo.
His work as a novelist, though, continues.
His fact and fiction writing connection led
He answered the often-asked question of
Kelton to publish more than 40 books, and
how he approached writing novels. In the evespend 42 years in the journalism business.
nings, Kelton explained, he would return home
At a young age, Kelton said, he knew he
from a day of newspapering, have supper and
wanted to be a writer, holding a particular
then sit down to spend two to three hours writinterest in fiction writing,
ing.
It wasn’t the most popular choice for a boy
“After awhile, you have a book,” Kelton said.
growing up in Crane, Texas on the McElroy
Looking back and comparing the journalism
Ranch.
field of earlier years to now, he marveled over
“Dad had hopes for me to go into somethe use of computers. A recent attempt to help
thing more practical,” he recalled.
son Steve, who is now editing the Livestock
Upon telling his dad that he wanted to atWeekly, confounded him, he said.
tend the University of Texas, study journal“I was flat lost,” when trying to work in a
ism and become a writer, Kelton said he realfully computerized operation, he added. “I alized his original instinct about his father was
ways dreamed there would be some way to
correct.
send electronically,” during a time when jour“I was right all along. He didn’t undernalists phone stories home or had to find a bus
stand,” he said.
station to ship film back.
Elmer Kelton
Kelton received his journalism degree from
In all, Kelton said, he was happy with his dual
...journalist-turned-novelist
UT in 1948, and published his first work of
careers.
fiction in his last semester of school after many submis“I don’t know of one thing I’d change, except to get some
sions to western pulp magazines.
of my hair back,” Kelton joked.
Clarendon to play
host to WTPA in ‘06
Clarendon will host the
state’s largest regional group
of newspaper people next
summer when the West Texas
Press Association holds its
76th annual convention.
Incoming WTPA convention chairman Roger
Estlack made the announcement Saturday in San Angelo
and said the 2006 event will
give the association a taste of
the Old West.
“We’re going to model
this convention on one the
WTPA held in Ft. Davis three
years ago,” said Estlack, who
is also the WTPA’s first vice
president.
“That year proved you
don’t have to have a big convention center to have a successful convention, and we’re
confident that we can put on
a program that everyone will
enjoy and remember.”
The three-day event
will be held July 20, 21, and
22; and the program will feature entertainment and seminars suitable for the interests
of the community journalists
in the WTPA.
Tentative plans call for
a golf tournament, a
Chuckwagon supper on the
lawn of Donley County’s restored 1890 courthouse, a
WTPA night at the Sandell
Drive-In, seminars and meals
on the campus of Clarendon
College, and the annual better newspaper contest
awards brunch.
“Clarendon is very excited to welcome WTPA,”
Estlack said. “Several local
officials have already expressed support for the 2006
convention, and we intend to
make the event fun for everybody.”
Tumbleweed Smith of
Big Spring, a longtime
collector of personalities of everyday people
in Texas delivered a
quick-tempo dinner
program during the
Friday session of the
West Texas Press
Association’s annual
convention in San
Angelo. He also played
a recently-taped interview with former
WTPA secretary-treasurer Barbara Craig
Kelly as a prelude to a
surprise honor to her
by the association.
Page Nine
Climbing above one’s comfort zone
...& living to tell about it
Journalist/adventurer Jon Krakauer shared his
experiences with WTPAers during Friday’s noon
luncheon.
Award winning journalist and author Jon Krakauer provided an intriguing and enlightening view of mountain climbing at the Friday luncheon
of the 75th summer meeting of WTPA
in San Angelo.
He presented a slide presentation
of a trip he made to Nepal. This was
no ordinary travelogue or collection
of vacation slides. The presentation
chronicled a fateful adventure in 1996
to the summit of Mt. Everest. It was a
climb that cost the lives of eight
people, four of whom were part of
Krakaurer’s climbing team.
Krakauer described himself as a
journalist and the fact that he has
been a freelance writer for 25 years,
rather than a newspaper employee
may provide some insight into his personality.
He titled his talk the “Idea of Risk”
and he let it be known up front that
his personal view is pro-risk. He said
he believes it is good for people to
move above their comfort zones.
He called it playing for more than
one can afford to lose. He said that
he finds satisfaction in pushing himself to the point where every movement and every mistake can have irresistible consequences.
During the presentation he demonstrated his considerable writing talent as he read a narrative to accompany the slides. “Into Thin Air” is a
bestselling wilderness adventure
story about the human ordeal with the
climb.
He said he still climbs, but he will
never attempt Everest again. He said
that he deeply regrets what happened
and that it had a profound effect on
his life.
He does return to Nepal and has
been instrumental in establishing a
climbing school to help the Sherpa-a native people in Nepal--to learn the
basic climbing techniques. The
Sherpa make their living packing supplies and equipment in for the wouldbe adventure seekers attempting the
climb.
The images on the slides were
spectacular and the descriptions of
the conditions even more so. The
summit of Everest is five miles above
the ground and at times the temperature was minus 35 degrees, and at the
top winds of nearly 120 miles per
hour.
For many in the audience
Krakauer provided a new definition of
risk taking.
New income sources are a must
American Profile vice president Jerry Lyles shares his ideas, thoughts
Newspapers have to look for new sources of revenue in
included a “Business Anniversary” page, which featured local
this new century and must understand that the most imporbusinesses celebrating anniversaries each month; a NASCAR
tant thing they can do for their communities is to stay in busicontest page; and a “Family History Project” that had readers
ness.
submit articles and featured replica ads that focused on the
That was the message delivered by Jerry
advertisers’ histories.
Lyles, vice president of publisher relations
Lyles discussed a “Kids Chronicle” that
at American Profile, to the members of the
combined ads drawn by school children and
WTPA gathered in San Angelo.
letters to Santa for a Christmas issue unlike
Lyles grew up in Kentucky and spent
anything that can be done with Metro greetabout 18 years in the newspaper industry,
ings.
during which time he served as the presi“You have fourth- or fifth-graders design
dent of that state’s press association. His
ads first, and then you sell it.” Lyles said. “It’s
experiences have given him valuable insight
a big hit. I think we only had one person turn
on what papers must do to remain viable,
us down.”
and that includes not relying on the same
Lyles also focused attention on paid
old advertisers week after week.
obituaries as a source of revenue.
“You have to get [the money] locally
“A few years ago, I got boos for bringing
through non-traditional advertisers or you
this up, but now it’s more accepted,” he said.
have to go outside your area where the comLyles noted that funeral homes are alpetition gets tougher,” he said.
ready charging their customers to place the
Lyles recommended new revenue ideas
death notices and said that papers should
such as an “Off The Eatin’ Path” campaign
charge the funeral homes directly. As justifithat gave readers a guide to local restaucation, he said just look at what it costs to
rants and generated $2,592 over a 12-week
produce a newspaper compared to what the
cycle for the Venice Gondolier Sun. The camper copy or subscription prices are.
paign got small restaurants, who did not
usually advertise, to support the paper with
“Readers aren’t paying their fair share for
affordable 1” x 2” ads for $18 per week. The
what they’re getting, and you’re already beatidea was popular with readers and was easy
ing the advertising horse to death,” he said.
American Profile vice president Jerry
to sell.
“To keep your business viable, you can’t conLyles shared a wealth of
Other non-traditional advertising ideas
tinue to give everything away.”
income-producing ideas.
Page Ten
The word is ‘cooperation’
Express-News reporter says big paper-little paper relationship essential
John MacCormack, reporter.
That’s the simple title on
his business card from the
San Antonio Express-News.
But there is much more to the
man and the professional
journalist as members of the
West Texas Press Association
learned at their annual convention in San Angelo.
“I need all of you more
than
you
need
me,”
MacCormack began.
He explained what it felt
like after a “big city” reporter
called regarding a story he
was working on in South
Texas.
The story involved the
possible relationship of an illegitimate son to a land baron
who had no heirs.
“I got a call,” said
MacCormack. “It was a fella
from New Yorker magazine.
He was interested in this
story.”
MacCormack said the New
Yorker asked everything
about the story--details, contacts, names, telephone numbers.
“I felt like I’d been sucked
dry,” he said.
“Big paper, small paper is
relevant,” he continued. “I
know the feeling of someone
calling you up and squeezing
you dry.”
McCormack is perhaps
best known for his role in
solving the case of Madeline
Murray O’Hare--the woman
who filed suit to take prayer
out of public schools.
He, along with a private
investigator, spent 3 ½ years
trying to find out what hap-
pened to her. “We solved it,”
he said in an interview. “The
FBI came to us asking for information.
“It was equal parts hard
work, a lot of help from my
friends and dumb luck. It was
the story of a lifetime if you’re
a reporter.
“We were basically able to
name the killer,” he added.
But his message was not
about O’Hara, but the need
for cooperation.
“My livelihood relies on
these little papers,” he said.
“They have to feel good about
me or they don’t have time for
me.”
His routine includes calling small papers regularly,
asking if anything news worthy has occurred.
He cited a story involving
the Internet sale of 10- and
20-acre tracts of land in West
Texas.
“The holy s*** bell goes off
San Antonio Express-News reporter John MacCormack emphasized the need for cooperation between the larger papers and
smaller papers, citing a good relationship is of utmost
importance.
in your head,” he said.
MacCormack cited several
incidents in which local papers were unable to obtain
public records that should
have been available under the
Freedom of Information Act.
“We don’t like bullies,” he
said. “If they’re bullying a little
paper, we try to help.”
He cited one incident in
Bracketville where the local
paper needed information
from the local water district,
but couldn’t get it.
MacCormack faxed the
water board and immediately
received the information
which he passed to the paper.
“By butting in, I got her the
documentation she needed,”
he said.
MacCormack rhetorically
asked what can papers expect
from him.
“What’s in it for you guys?”
he asked. “They’ll buy you
lunch, butter you up.”
But as in the examples he
cited, he can help.
“You call me up, there’s
maybe something I can do. If
you’re getting bullied, we’ll
intervene. It’s a professional
courtesy.”
Despite being a reporter in
San Antonio for 20 years and
in the newspaper business for
nearly 30, MacCormack still
likes the job.
“I like what we call ‘regional curiosities,’” he said.
“Something off the beaten
path that can be rendered into
a good yarn.
“I’ve been doing this 30
years and there’s not a day
goes by I don’t want to go to
work.”
Association welcomes first-timers to San Angelo
Each year, West Texas
Press Association is pleased
to have some first time attendees at the annual convention.
This year the following first
timers attended the WTPA
gathering in San Angelo:
Chris Crews—The Highlander, Marble Falls
Todd Griffith—The Wise
County Messenger
Tony
Herndon—The
Perryton Herald
Megan Fauntleroy—The
Throckmorton Tribune
Bailey Thompson—Hood
County News
Tony Pilkington—Breckenridge American
Rochelle Stidham—Step-
henville Empire Tribune
Lindy Berger—Hondo Anvil Herald
Megan Carr—Friona Star
Buddy and Judy Johnson—
Hometown Press, Winnie
Carmen Goldthwaite—cg
Creations
Staci Cortez—Eldorado
Success
Bill Crist—Brownwood
Bulletin
Juliet Lemond—Brownwood Bulletin
Gene Deason—Brownwood Bulletin
Jerry Lyles—American Profile
Marla Daugherty—Big
Lake Wildcat
Page Eleven
Hitchcock stirs
the postal pot
Perhaps no other issue stirs meet face to face with postal
the blood of West Texas Press administrators and discuss
Association members like dis- problems.
cussions about the United
“I guarantee you that a lot
States Postal Service.
of you already know more
And that was the case again about postal regulations than
last month when the postal some of them do so you won’t
guru for the Texas Press Asso- be there with them talking over
ciation, Harley Hitchcock, your heads. It’s a chance for you
briefed WTPA members on the to get your questions answered
latest rumors and facts from the and for them to know you are
serious about your delivery
post office.
Hitchcock, a former postal problems,” he said.
“I promise you that if four or
service administrator, urged
newspaper people to switch to five of you showed up at a PCC
postal software. He noted that meeting, they’d probably adone larger paper had saved journ the meeting,” he laughed.
about $90,000 annually by go- “But seriously, if you want
things to change, you’ve got to
ing to postal software.
“I don’t understand why all take a stand.”
Hitchcock gave the group
newspapers are not using
tips on mailing previous ispostal software,” he said.
Hitchcock was adamant in sues—a postal secret because
telling those in attendance that they can be mailed with the
“sitting on your hands” won’t current issue and the same
get it done anymore.
postal statement, automation
“Don’t wait on some other rates, the DDU rate, exceptional
part of the country to fight your dispatches and the mailing of
battle. Any day now the Federal sample copies.
He also urged newspaper
Register is going to come out
with new rules and new rates. people to use the TPA list
“Those rates are going to go server—“if you don’t have the
up and if you don’t get your answer to a question, there’s
pens out and say something, usually always someone out
you’re making a mistake. We there who does.”
need service and to get it we
As is usually the case, the
must stick together,” he said.
session was one of those that
Hitchcock reminded the full could have gone on for hours—
room of newspaper people that and did in a number of corners,
two years ago, the post office rooms and bar tables throughissued an edict that all flats out the weekend.
would be sent to big service
centers.
“Fifty Texas newspapers
got together and wrote letters and complained the
plan would kill them. You
turned the tide . . . you
made them change that
rule . . . and what might be
even more important is the
new rate case being studied right now by the post
office.
“If you want things to
change, you’ve got to stand
up and be heard. You’ve got
to make it clear to them
that you’re not going to
take it anymore. You can’t
just stay in your house and
be protected anymore,”
Hitchcock said.
He suggested publishers attend Postal Customer
Council (PCC) meetings,
which are offered at about
Texas Press Association postal expert
Harley Hitchcock not only gave advice to
15 sites around the state.
WTPA convention attendees, but he also
PCC meetings are a chance
chipped in a $20 bill as a door prize
for newspaper people to
drawing.
WTPA scholarship chairman Bob Dillard (r) of the Jeff
Davis County Mountain Dispatch in Fort Davis
congratulates 2005 college scholarship winner
Ashley Estlack of Clarendon.
Estlack, Weimers
earn Bob Craig
college stipends
With over 30 applications to choose from this year,
it was no easy task to determine which of the students should receive the 2005 West Texas Press Association Bob Craig Memorial Scholarships.
After careful study it was determined by first the
scholarship committee, then the WTPA board of directors and finally by the general membership to award
the $1,000 scholarships to Ashley Estlack of Clarendon,
a student at West Texas A&M University, and to
Jeanette Weimers, a recent graduate of Hondo High
School and a freshman this fall at the University of
Texas Austin.
A Clarendon native, Estlack is the wife of Roger
Estlack. Together the two own and operate the
Clarendon Enterprise. She has attended classes at
Clarendon College and Amarillo College and is a junior at WTA&M, where she is majoring in journalism.
Weimers ranked second in a Hondo class of 125
students. She has been an all-state journalist and a
three-year all-state musician. She competed on a Future Farmers of America state champion team and was
president of the National Honor Society and the drum
major in the marching band her senior year. She has
grown up reading the Hondo Anvil Herald.
She has been editor of the annual staff and the high
school newspaper. She will be a journalism major at
UT, and hopes to work for the Daily Texan when she
gets to Austin.
Page Twelve
JUBILEE...
Museum with a reception
hosted by Sprint and the San
Angelo Standard-Times and
leisurely tours through the
museum’s permanent and
traveling art exhibits.
Conventioners
then
moved to nearby restored
Fort Concho, where perioddressed personnel explained
the history of the antique cannon and thrilled the crowd
with booming shots across
the parade grounds. A catered
barbecue dinner was served
in the fort’s commissary
building.
San Angelo legend Elmer
Kelton, retired farm and ranch
writer for The Standard-Times
and a best-selling western
author, delighted the audience with reflections from his
long career covering the news
across the vast expanse of
West Texas.
Pamela Miller of the San
Angelo Chamber of Commerce extended a formal welcome to the community Friday morning. Mankin recognized both the chamber and
the San Angelo Convention
and Visitors Bureau for assisting him with convention
planning.
Harley Hitchcock, regarded as the Texas Press
Association’s “postal guru,”
distributed a postal checklist
to participating newspapers,
offering tips to reduce postal
costs and improve mailing efficiencies. His encouragement for publishers to attend
Postal Customer Council
(PCC) meetings in their respective areas generated particular interest. Hitchcock
also responded to specific
questions from the floor, and
added a $20 bill from his wallet to the door prize pool.
After a mid-morning
break, Jerry Lyles, vice president of American Profile
magazine, distributed complimentary copies of “Proven
Revenue Ideas for Community Newspapers.” The bound
booklet details money-making tips for advertising, special sections, circulation and
miscellaneous ideas. American Profile magazine was the
convention’s leading donor of
silent auction items benefitting the WTPA Scholarship
Fund. Sandi Baylis, publisher
account executive for the
...Continued from Page One
magazine supplement and a
WTPA director for the past
two years, chaired the
convention’s silent auction
and plentiful door prize drawings.
Friday’s luncheon was
served on schedule, an accomplishment of quiet significance after a mid-morning
walkout by the kitchen staff.
WTPA folks appreciated the
way the hotel’s maintenance
and housekeeping personnel
pitched in at the luncheon
and later meals and did a
great job. WTPA could not
have asked more of them.
They were courteous, helpful
and friendly—perhaps more
so than the staff that walked
out.
John Krakauer, a Boulder,
Colo., adventurer, Mt. Everest
survivor and the best-selling
author of “Into Thin Air” and
“Under the Banner of
Heaven,” captured the rapt attention of the luncheon audience with his PowerPoint
photos of mountain and rock
climbing expeditions around
the globe. Krakauer’s heartfelt characterization of reaching the summit of Mt. Everest,
then to lose four fellow climbers to icy entombment on the
descent, was breathtaking.
Autographed copies of both
his best-selling books were
donated to the silent auction.
John MacCormack, longtime traveling reporter for the
San Antonio Express-News,
told community newspaper
folks how to establish and
maintain good working relationships “when the big city
guys
come
calling.”
MacCormack laced his presentation with humorous incidents from his years of
travel and close association
with West Texas weekly
newspapers.
The president’s reception
Friday evening preceded the
traditional banquet honoring
the recipient of the Harold
Hudson Award. Mark Jordan,
who accepted the coveted
award in 2002, filled in for
2004 recipient Roy Eaton to
reveal the 2005 honoree.
Eaton was participating in a
National Newspaper Association retreat to Costa Rica and
was thus unavailable to make
the presentation to WTPA’s
newest honoree, Joe Thomp-
son of the Hood County News
in Granbury. Thompson becomes the fourteenth WTPA
member to accept the prestigious Harold Hudson memorial award.
Noted “Speaking of Texas”
community newspaper columnist and radio personality
Tumblewood Smith drew
steady chuckles and laughter
with tales of his unusual experiences in the classroom,
newsroom and elsewhere.
Recorded voices of his subjects were uniquely woven
into his commentary. His recordings segued into a recent
interview with longtime
WTPA Secretary-Treasurer
Barbara Craig Kelly, and surprise recognition for her years
of service to the association.
Mrs. Kelly was presented a
$300 gift certificate redeemable at the Dillard’s Department Store of her choice and
an engraved plaque thanking
her for more than a quarter
century of dedicated service.
She will continue to serve as
the WTPA historian.
A publisher’s roundtable
Saturday morning focused on
evolving options for electronic subscriptions, digital
photo sales, paid vs. free
obituaries, and related topics.
Texas Press Association
president Judy Johnson
opened the annual WTPA
business meeting with an update of state association activities and the presentation
of a $1,000 check for the
WTPA Scholarship Fund. Bob
Dillard revealed Ashley
Estlack of Clarendon and
Jeanette Wiemers of Hondo as
recipients of this year’s collegiate and high school scholarships, respectively. Dillard
also noted WTPA membership for 2005 includes 86
newspapers, down five from
the prior year.
Bob Brincefield delivered
the annual audit report showing the association in sound
financial condition and Jeff
Berger offered the traditional
memorial report remembering West Texas newspaper
associates lost in the past
year.
Two amendments to the
association’s by-laws were
proposed by Robinson and
nominating committee recommendations were submit-
ted by past president Rick
Craig. Both reports were
unanimously approved and
are detailed in this edition of
The Publisher.
Last-minute bidding in the
silent auction was carefully
watched by intent buyers,
who helped boost the scholarship fund by more than
$1,400 before Saturday’s midmorning close.
Revelation of Better Newspaper Contest winners moved
from the previous Saturday
night banquet to a mid-day
brunch for the first time, with
the same level of anxiety. BNC
chairman Bob Brincefield, assisted by wife Carol, announced the 2005 certificate
and plaque winners. BNC results are published in full in
this issue of The Publisher.
The mystery “He’s a good
‘un” James Roberts As-GoodAs-His-Word handshake personality proved to be Robert
Burns of Sprint, who presented a $50 bill to Jim Lowe
of Lampasas for being the
50th person to shake his
hand.
Newly elected First Vice
President Roger Estlack extended the invitation to the
2006
convention
in
Clarendon. It will be WTPA’s
first convention visit to
Clarendon, where the Best
Western Hotel will serve as
the lodging headquarters and
Clarendon College will host
meetings and meals. The
2006 convention is scheduled
Thursday, July 20, through
Saturday, July 22.
As the traditional convention finale, Bob Dillard of Fort
Davis drew the names of
three grand prize winners.
John Schmid of Kerrville won
the weekend in Fort Davis
and Marfa—one night at the
Hotel Limpia and one night at
the Paisano Hotel, a value of
about $250. Kevin Hamilton
of Iowa Park won the weekend for four at Prude Ranch,
a value of about $500. Roger
Estlack won the trip into the
San Carlos Mountains in
Mexico, a value of more than
$500.
WTPA officers and members extend special thanks to
Randy Mankin for an informational and entertaining
convention, and the fond
memories certain to endure.