ASSOCIATE NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER PHOTO OF THE MONTH Congrats to David, submit your photo for a chance to win a $25 gift card SUBMIT TO SUBMITNEWS.ADAMSPG.COM. High Country, NC David Rogers, The Blowing Rocket Sports, Watauga Democrat Mountain Times Publications
NOVEMBER 2021
CONTENTS
SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO & WIN! Submit a photo to be featured in the monthly newsletter. Each month, the person whose photo is selected for the front cover will win a $25 gift card! SUBMIT TO SUBMITNEWS.ADAMSPG.COM.
2
NOVEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER
Human Resources
APG East
APG Central
APG West
PHARMACY BENEFITS, ASSOCIATE BENEFITS, SEATBELTS
INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE, SENIOR EXPO, SCHOOL RELATIONSHIPS
NEW HIRES, COMMUNITY SUPPORT, PIE EATING CONTEST
ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE, HAWAII, AWARDS ACROSS THE REGION
PAGE 04
PAGE 06
PAGE 13
PAGE 16
WEST DIVISION
Regions: Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming
CENTRAL DIVISION
Regions: Minnesota, Wisconsin
EAST DIVISION
Regions: Michigan, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida West Division Central Division East Division
3
HUMAN RESOURCES NEW FOR 2022! PHARMACY BENEFITS THROUGH EXPRESS SCRIPTS Beginning in January, all prescription medications will be managed by Express Scripts. Here is what you need to know: • You will have a new ID card for pharmacy benefits – it will be separate from your BCBS medical ID card • When you receive your ID card, you will also receive instructions for registering on the website or app to access your plan information • Additional information will be provided in the Virtual Benefits Fair during Open Enrollment – Be sure to visit! • You will have the opportunity to contact Express Scripts prior to January to confirm if your current medication brands will be covered • If you will need to renew a prescription on or around January 1, consider doing it prior to year-end
VIRTUAL BENEFITS FAIR OPEN ENROLLMENT TO BENEFITS VIRTUAL FAIR WILL BE HELD NOVEMBER 1 THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2021 FOR A JANUARY 1, 2022 EFFECTIVE DATE. We are excited to announce the APG Virtual Benefits Fair, which features important resources and allows Associates to ask questions directly to our benefit providers. There are a lot of changes to benefits so all Associates will need to renew their benefit selections. Don’t forget to visit the information booth for a schedule of events. You will also be able to download your 2022 Benefits Decision Guide.
WORKPLACE INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONTROL & ASSOCIATE HANDBOOK In compliance with OSHA regulations, APG has developed an Infectious Disease Training video. The video is available on ADP. The Workplace Infectious Disease Control Training video and updated 2022 Associate handbook are available in ADP. All Associates are required to acknowledge that they have watched the video and read the handbook by letting their local HR representative or local manager know when they have completed these tasks.
4
Associate Ha
ndbook
Updated 11/01/20 21
SAFETY
TAKE THE SEATBELT QUIZ HISTORY OF SEATBELTS IN VEHICLES 1. When were seatbelts introduced? A) 1964 B) 1885 C) 1967 D) 1954 Answer: B. Seat belts were first used in 1885
to prevent ejection from horse-drawn carriages. The same year that Karl Friedrich Benz first drove his 3-wheeled vehicle using an internal combustion engine.
PHYSICS OF NOT USING SEATBELTS 2. If an occupant weighs of 160 lbs. and is in a vehicle is traveling at 30 MPH what is the force exerted on an unre strained occupant when they impact the interior of a vehicle that has stopped in the distance of 1 foot? A) 1,550 lbs. Average weight of a Smart Car. B) 4,200 lbs. Average weight of a Jeep Wrangler. C) 7,900 lbs. Average weight of a Ford F350 dually pick up. D) 24,000 lbs. Average weight of a full-size school bus. Answer: D. The abrupt stop of an unrestrained
vehicle occupant striking an inside surface in the vehicle will generate 24, 000 lbs. of force upon impact. Or, a G force of 150. For comparison, a G force range of between 70 – 100 is sufficient to tear the pulmonary artery from the heart, resulting in death. Seatbelt use reduces these forces by a factor of 5.
YOU BET YOUR LIFE 3. What percentage of fatalities could be prevented in vehicle crashes by just wearing a seatbelt? A) 30% B) 40% C) 50% D) 60% Answer: D. Three in five people (60%) killed
in car accidents that were not wearing seat belts could survive if they were wearing their seat belt.
REMAIN IN CONTROL 4. Seatbelt use: A) Keeps the driver at the controls a vehicle (steering, braking, and accelerator). B) Prevents ejection from the vehicle. C) Prevents occupants of a vehicle from impacting with other occupants. D) All of the above. Answer: D. All of the above are benefits of
WE ARE ENCOURAGING
ALL ASSOCIATES TO USE THEIR PTO
Many have built up their PTO and we will be selectively approving PTO over the holiday season to ensure we have a full staff to operate our newspapers at all sites. Consider a long weekend with a Friday/Monday combination. You are allowed to carry over 80 hours into the new year so please schedule your PTO soon so you can receive the time off you ask for now as later it may be restricted depending on how many Associates ask for the same days off. We know how hard you work and recognize the importance of providing you with time for rest and relaxation. View PTO Policies online at: hr.adamspg.com/handbook
seatbelt use.
Seat belt use reduces serious crashrelated injuries and deaths by about half, and seat belt laws and enforcement strategies have been proven to increase seat belt use. ... Primary enforcement seat belt laws allow law enforcement officers to stop vehicles if a driver or passenger is not wearing a seat belt. Seatbelt use is also mandatory for all APG Associates while driving on work related business. This includes privately owned vehicles used for work related use.
WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK? PLEASE USE YOUR SEATBELT EVERY TIME YOU ARE IN A VEHICLE. WE WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW!
5
APG EAST
WHEN LOCAL STORIES GO INTERNATIONAL THE DAILY SUN
It’s not uncommon for regional news crews to drive into smaller towns and stay for a day working on a story that spikes on a national level. But when a story piques worldwide interest, the news crews stay for weeks on end, and a local news outlet is competing with Fox News and CNN.
The story has not ended - with human remains found Oct. 20, along with nearby items owned by her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie. Laundrie has been a person of interest in Petito’s disappearance and death - which was later deemed homicide by strangulation.
On a media level, that’s what happened with The Daily Sun and its coverage on the Gabby Petito/Brian Laundrie story.
So news media from throughout the nation are in North Port again. Eventually, they will leave. But we will still be working on it.
Since her reported disappearance Sept. 11, The Daily Sun, which covers North Port, Florida, has published nearly 200 stories; contacted sources from Wyoming to New York and sent journalists throughout the region to cover the latest news. Our reporting has been cited by large news outlets and our managing editor was sought out for a segment on the Gabby Petito story on HLN; not to mention media personalities the likes of Nancy Grace, John Walsh and Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman making North Port a temporary home during the case. More than anything, our coverage stood up against literally thousands of other stories from media across the world giving local stories to an international story.
OHIO STATE SCANDAL HITS HOME
In the middle of our work on the disappearance and death of Gabby Petito, we had another story break. Ohio State University had a problem with a doctor. Richard Strauss sexually abused hundreds of student-athletes between 1978 and 1998, many of them being wrestlers. Michael Schyck, a resident of Englewood, Florida, was among those abused. Last month, Ohio State University had a judge make a ruling in its favor - and that has angered many of the victims, including Schyck. Schyck spoke with The Daily Sun’s sports reporter Patrick Obley about his
experience as a victim; why it was tough for young men to fight back or speak out against Strauss - who later died by suicide; and how it is being back in his hometown, feeling people stare at him after the story came out. Obley weaves the story of excitement about being a young man with a promising wrestling career; to being victimized by a man he was supposed to trust; to becoming a wrestling coach and doing the tough things - like speaking the ugly truth. And he wants accountability. Ohio State is not admitting fault; and its former coach - who initially said he would stand with his wrestlers - reneged on that statement; and Schyck has words about U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan. Jordan was a wrestler and assistant coach at Ohio State University - Schyck said everyone knew about what Strauss was doing, and that would have included Jordan. Jordan has denied any knowledge of the case. Obley’s feature stories are graphic, horrifying, compelling and endearing to the many victims. We are preparing a shortened version for other APG news outlets to use.
COVID-19 CLAIMS LOCAL GRANDFATHER Thomas Edward Little, age 58, died Monday, August 9, 2021. Memorial service will be held Thursday, August 12 at 2:00 P.M. at the Farmville Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Jeff Toler. The family will receive friends at Farmville Funeral Home Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Mr. Little was a member of Marlboro Original Free Will Baptist Church. He was known for his work in advertising with the Daily Reflector, his love of flying, and his adventures with Hadley. He is survived by his wife, Wendy Phillips Little, of the home; daughter, Anna House and husband, Bobby of Farmville; the love of his life, granddaughter, Hadley House; sister, Barbara Tavenner and husband, Bill of Richmond, VA; nephews, Jack, Cab and Ben Tavenner; and several other nieces and nephews.
6
APG EAST
LOCAL SCHOOL RELATIONSHIPS MATTER APG OF OHIO & MICHIGAN
Ohio and Michigan have both built strong relationships within our area’s schools. We partner on several levels that include circulation, advertising and editorial collaboration along with event and commercial print. Giving back is important. As well, these partnerships add over $110,000 annually in both advertising and circulation revenue. Below are some featured or unique projects that we complete. The Circleville Herald has a yearly art contest for the cover of the Pumpkin Show book. Area high schools vie for the top position so their artwork is the frontpage cover. We sell sponsorships to the local businesses that in return receive they receive an ad in the PS book and one of the framed works of arts. The Herald staff works with area art teachers and they host an art walk at the Herald office where the paintings are on display and the sponsors participate in voting for the winner. This is a long-standing tradition of the Pumpkin Show. Annually, the Herald makes 10k on this project and gives away cash prizes to first, second and third place.
Each year, Defiance publishes a Kids Design publication that the local elementary schools participate in along with on average of 75 area businesses. The ad staff sells half page ads designed by local 5th, 6th and 7th grade students. We make a monetary donation to those grade levels art programs. This project generates $15k annually. Gladwin produces two major projects that have student participation. First, they do a letter to Santa edition that includes the hand-written letters of elementary students and secondly, each Valentine’s Day the middle school writes Thank You valentines to Veterans’. These projects generate over 12k and each letter or valentine is ad-sponsored space. Not only is there ad revenue, but increased rack sales. Editorial partnerships are key with less personnel. We partner with several schools for internships, too. The Tri County Career Center is now teaching a sports journalism course. Starting in November, the students will be covering basketball games that we will be publishing their articles in our Perry, Logan and Athens publications.
Two community forces teaming up for Hocking County! Tri-County Career Center will debut a new Sports Journalism and New Media program during the 20212022 high school year. Through a partnership with Adams Publishing Group of Ohio, work produced by students in the program will be published in the media organization's wide variety of publications and platforms. Juniors and seniors in the program will gain a broad understanding of media practices through the lens of sports and will learn and utilize the writing process to cover events, including at their home schools in Athens, Hocking and Perry counties. Mark Cohen, APG, Ohio
Connie Altier, Superintendent "I think it's a winwin," said Connie Altier, superintendent of Tri-County Career Center. "The newspaper and printed media can be sparked in our area as students become excited about seeing their work published. Parents and grandparents will be excited to see these stories by their family members too."
"We couldn't be more thrilled to be a partner with TriCounty Career Center. Our newspapers will be positively affected by this relationship and our editors are excited to help the students understand the importance of good community journalism,” Cohen said. “We are not just print anymore and the Tri-County Career Center students will be encouraged to help us with social media ideas. When schools, kids, and newspapers team up, readers win.”
We also are working with a local high school for a special course of journalism and photography. Their student will be covering news within their area and published in our newspapers or online weekly. The student is graded for this project. We will be printing a monthly school newspaper for the high school. We will have advertising support for both our paid publication and the school newspaper.
REMEMBERING STEVE ROSSEY KELLY
Steve Rossey Kelly, age 56, passed away September 12, 2021. Steve worked with the Rocky Mount Telegram / APG ENC in the Circulation Distribution Center for sixteen years. He was a very dedicated, hard-working associate who was always willing to help where he could. Steve did not like to take time off leaving someone else to do his work. If we gave awards for the best dressed, he would have won that hands down. You never saw Steve without a smile on his face. He will be greatly missed by his coworkers.
7
APG EAST
MARYVILLE TIMES GENERATES CLOSE TO 15 ‘GRAND’ WITH SENIOR EXPO THE DAILY TIMES
OCTOBER
MOVIE NIGHT NOW PLAYING: SCREAM CONGRATULATIONS
TO OUR JULY WINNER KELLY PICKERING,
THE GREENEVILLE SUN
The Questions Were: In “Scream,” what does ghostface ask its victims? The Answer: What’s your favorite scary movie?
8
The Daily Times hosted its annual "Grand Times" Senior Expo 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, in the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church of Maryville. Those seeking information on opportunities offered for the senior population in Blount County were encouraged to attend. This was a free event open to the area's seniors, and it included the participation of close to 40 vendors. According to Sara Thompson of The Daily Times, the event generated $14,925 in revenue for the East Tennessee daily newspaper in the month of October. And this fall's Senior Expo was so popular with the participating vendors and 450-plus attendees that "our vendors are requesting we have another (Senior Expo) in April." The following businesses and/or organizations were represented: Salon 12/25, Medicare Insurance Advisors, Blount Senior Care Partners, Mobility Matters, Avenir, West Knox Internal Medicine, Brookdale Senior Living, Humana, Hunter Jones State Farm, Dignity Memorial, Blount Memorial Hospital, Loren Riddick, Clearview Health, Dogwood Cremation, AMR, Quality Financial, Senior Options for Living Independently, Second Harvest Food Bank, AAA of East Tennessee, Alzheimer's Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, Madgical Nails, Asbury Place, Life Care Centers, LeConte Wealth Management, McCammon Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, Senior Financial Group, First Light
Home Care, Alcoa Tenn Federal Credit Union, Beltone, Dotson Funeral Home, Blount Discount Pharmacy, Blount County Democratic Party, Caregiver Superhero Society and Prime West Knoxville. Additionally, mini-seminars were available, as well as hearing screenings, blood-pressure checks, and vaccines and blood glucose testing. Prizes were offered throughout the fourhour Senior Expo. And all members of The Daily Times' ad team, as well as publisher Bryan Sandmeier and circulation director Pat Helms helped with the event.
APG EAST
SOUTHEAST OHIO NEWSPAPERS COLLABORATE ON COMMEMORATIVE 9/11 ISSUE SOUTHEAST OHIO This summer, APG Media of Ohio prepared a special insert commemorating the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. I started as editor of The Athens News at the end of June, just a few weeks before we began work on the publication. But since I have considerable experience in magazine editing and production, I volunteered to coordinate the effort.
Editors of all seven newspapers contributed to the issue. Jim Phillips of the Logan Daily News delivered two big stories, one on changes in public safety and the other on the recollections of William Noll, a high school principal in Perry County, who was inside the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 slammed The 54-page glossy into the building. Our news papers are proud to produce this book. magazine insert was My colleague On this somber day that affected all of us, we included in the Saturday, capture the moments of our lives and our news Alex Hulvalchick, teams spent special attentions to this edition to Sept. 11 editions of editor of the Athens ensure it is a keepsake for you and your family. The Athens Messenger, Messenger, talked Circleville Herald and with one of three The Logan Daily News, Nelsonville firefighters who worked at as well as the Wednesday, Sept. 8 Ground Zero—and incurred severe, editions of The Athens News, Perry permanent lung damage from it. Alex County Tribune, The Pike County News and Keri Johnson of the Perry County Watchman and The Vinton County Tribune asked teachers how they address Courier. Single copies also were the attacks and the War on Terror. Pike available at the offices of the Messenger County News Watchman and Athens News. Editor Patrick Keck examined the The content was divided into two possibility that Flight 77 was hijacked sections: “Then” and “Now.” Part 1 in the skies above southern Ohio. Emily included stories about local people who Moore, editor of the Circleville Herald, were directly involved in the attacks or dived into the archives for the immediate their aftermath, along with people’s reactions of Pickaway County residents. memories of the day. Part 2 focused Vinton County Courier Editor Will on how life in southeast Ohio changed Meyers wrote about the Vinton County because of the attacks. Airshow that took place five days after
the attacks. I prepared a minute-by-minute timeline of the two hours that elapsed between American Airlines Flight 11’s takeoff from Boston and United Flight 93’s crash into a field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It’s one of the most difficult pieces I’ve ever done. Using The 9/11 Commission Report, I pulled out details that still haunt me: passengers’ poignant phone calls to family; the frantic efforts of one air traffic controllers’ frantic effort to warn planes he was monitoring—including United 93; the flight a0endants’ calm relays of information to officials on the ground until literally the last minute before impact. Their poise, courage and professionalism still bring me to tears. We wanted to use the proceeds to benefit first responders—but how? Tragedy gave us an answer. Last May, Nelsonville firefighter Jeff Armes collapsed and died while battling a structure fire. Almost exactly three months later, Nelsonville police officer Scott Dawley was killed in a three-car crash as he was responding to a call about shots fired. Both men had wives and young children. Donating proceeds from the publication to their widows was an easy call, and it was an honor to deliver the checks. Volunteering to produce a magazine while still learning the ropes of my job made for a hectic summer, but the publication turned out beautifully, thanks in large part to graphic designer Laura Zielinski and the talents of my colleagues around the region. 9
APG EAST
THE DAILY TIMES WON A RECORD HAUL OF 31 JOURNALISM AWARDS THE DAILY TIMES The Daily Times on Friday won a record haul of 31 journalism awards, including nine first places, and was named the state’s best newspaper in its circulation category, the second largest in Tennessee.
awards in their respective divisions at the association’s ceremony, held in Franklin. Points were awarded for each entry, and general excellence honors were based on the newspaper’s total points in their division.
City government and business reporter Andrew Jones led the way with seven individual honors and four shared awards; features editor Melanie Tucker, copy desk chief Marcus Fitzsimmons and education reporter Amy Beth Miller each won four honors.
THE MARYVILLE AWARDS WERE AS FOLLOWS:
“Awards are not always a defining measurement of journalistic quality, but the TPA awards are a good barometer because they are judged each year by editors from other states. Those states revolve each year, so when an editor from New York or California honors your staff, there’s a lot to be proud of,” editor J. Todd Foster said. The New Jersey Press Association judged the 2020 contest, which included 1,208 entries from 79 newspapers. “I’m very proud to work with this dedicated, talented news team,” Publisher Bryan Sandmeier said. “Winning 31 journalism awards, including the cherished general excellence award, is a great accomplishment. It’s been 26 years since The Daily Times claimed the general excellence award. The newsroom deserves this spotlight.” In addition to The Daily Times, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the LeafChronicle (Clarksville), the Standard Banner (Jefferson City) and the Gallatin News won the top general excellence 10
FIRST PLACE • Best digital presentation, staff, for the high school football tab • Education, Amy Beth Miller, her second-consecutive first in this category • Best personal column, Buzz Thomas, for “The UnRebel,” about a Black Maryville High running back who endured racism in the early 1970s • Best sports coverage, Troy Provost-Heron, Jonathan Toye, Taylor Vortherms and Marcus Fitzsimmons • Best sports writing, Troy ProvostHeron, Jonathan Toye, Taylor Vortherms and Corey Roepken • Best special issue or section, “Riders on the storm,” the high school football tab • Editorials, J. Todd Foster, Mike Sisco and Marcus Fitzsimmons • Local features, Melanie Tucker, Shelby Harris, Troy Provost-Heron, Linda Braden Albert, Steve Wildsmith, Andrew Jones and Amy Beth Miller • Public service, Andrew Jones and Melanie Tucker, for Amazon, homelessness and black bear coverage
SECOND PLACE • Best business coverage, Andrew Jones • Best news reporting, Andrew Jones, for coverage of Amazon coming to Blount County • Best personal humor column, David Carroll • Best single editorial, J. Todd Foster, for urging mask wearing during the pandemic • Coronavirus features, Linda Braden Albert, Shelby Harris, Andrew Jones, Melanie Tucker, Amy Beth Miller and Steve Wildsmith • Headline writing, Mike Sisco and Marcus Fitzsimmons • Best graphics and/or illustrations, Abby Potter and Marcus Fitzsimmons
THIRD PLACE • Sports photo, Scott Keller • Makeup and appearance, staff • Feature photo, Tom Sherlin • News reporting, Andrew Jones, for Amazon coverage • Investigative, Andrew Jones, for Amazon coverage • Coronavirus news reporting, Shelby Harris, Amy Beth Miller, Andrew Jones, Robert Berlin and James Sloan
FOURTH PLACE • Best breaking news coverage, Andrew Jones, for story of local COVID-19 death • Best personal column, Steve Wildsmith, “In memoriam to our copy editor Richard Dodson”
APG EAST THE DAILY TIMES WON A RECORD HAUL OF 31 JOURNALISM AWARDS (CONT.) • Best single feature, Andrew Jones, for writing about the evictions of six older Maryville women • Investigative reporting, Andrew Jones, for the eviction story
FIFTH PLACE • Best breaking news coverage, Andrew Jones • Sports photograph, Tom Sherlin • Feature photo, Scott Keller • News photo, Scott Keller • Sunday editions, staff.
JUDGES’ COMMENTS Business: “Solid coverage of local business news stories that have a direct and immediate impact on the local community. The news is told with clarity and the stories are well-written and detailed.” Education: “Plenty of very good, relevant stories for parents, teachers and taxpayers.” News reporting: “Excellent job sniffing this one (Amazon) out through public records. Nice work.”
Sports writing: “The stories were touching, the subjects memorable and the writing was well-crafted. Each of the articles in this entry were strong, but standouts include tackling teen depression, the memorable story about an athlete’s struggles to recover from a serious car crash and reporting on Jose Canseco playing slow-pitch softball.” Special section on high school football preview: “Lots of information packed into this guide to the football season. Very good use to breakout boxes to encapsulate key notes about each team, and a good use of fonts to differentiate content. A lot of dynamic photos. And all packages in a good layout.”
A MINUTE WITH MARK ADAMS: Why Do Associates Matter At APG? Watch this month’s video: hr.adamspg.com/minute Submit your question: AskMark@adamspg.com
Why Do Associates Matter at APG?
Coronavirus news coverage: “The Daily Times did a really solid job on the pandemic and was out ahead in January before it really blew up across the country. Good, local reporting throughout” Headlines: “‘High boater turnout’ is SO GOOD.”
News reporting on Blount’s homeless crisis: “This is deeply underreported issue in many communities. Excellent work highlighting those given few choices during a tough time.” Sports coverage: “Very good use of dynamic action photos. Well written headlines, creative use of graphics. Articles were well written and there was a good depth of coverage.”
Visit the HR Portal to subscribe and to receive the monthly newsletter in your inbox. 11
APG EAST
EDITORIAL: COMMUNITY SUPPORT MAKES US STRONGER THE POST EDITORIAL BOARD
It’s a sad, cliche but universal truth: the COVID-19 pandemic has upended life for everyone in some capacity. At The Post, we’ve felt that impact in more ways than one.
NOVEMBER
MOVIE NIGHT NOW PLAYING: BLIND SIDE
For your chance to be the lucky winner of an APG Swag and Movie Bag, answer the trivia question below correctly:
IN “BLIND SIDE,” WHAT FAMOUS PAINTING DOES THE THANKSGIVING SCENE RESEMBLE WHEN LEIGH ANNE SETS THE TURKEY ON THE TABLE?? All answers should be submitted to AskHR@adamspg.com. The winner will be drawn on Monday, August 16, 2021.
12
While dealing with the shift to online classes and coping with the many changes to campus life, Post staffers have continued to report, edit content, take stellar photos and more. Some reporters produced election results stories in 2020 despite being miles away from Athens. Others even took home awards. Throughout all of this, it’s been the communities — both in our newsroom and across Athens County — that have kept us afloat with unwavering support. Last week, we learned of yet another example of that community grace. APG Media of Ohio President Mark Cohen is sponsoring The Post’s Ohio News Media Association, or ONMA, membership for the year, which will give us access to countless resources, the ability to enter our work in contests and more. At a time when money and resources are tight for just about every local publication around, we at The Post could not be more grateful. We fully recognize APG owns some neighboring papers, including The Athens NEWS and The Athens Messenger, and this kind gesture serves as a reminder that journalism is not a competition but, rather, a
team sport. With this resource, The Post now holds the potential to take our coverage of Ohio University and Athens a step further, helping improve the local media landscape in Athens County. Garnering community support fuels our ability to serve as watchdog reporters as well as provides greater mentorship possibilities for young journalists and new interns. Several Post and OU alumni have gone on to have successful careers and internships at APG papers. Having a place for experiential learning at OU — like The Post — allows us to better train journalists who will continue to be employed in Southeast Ohio. Even though there is so much already apparent, we know there are other incredible opportunities with this support that we have yet to discover, too. We know APG Media of Ohio doesn’t owe us anything. We know it’s been a tumultuous year and a half for just about everyone. That’s why we’re going to make the most of it and pay back this gift the way we know best: by continuing to work diligently to report the news that matters to our community. Thank you, APG. Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors: Editor-in-Chief Abby Miller, Managing Editor Bre Offenberger and Digital Managing Editor Matt Geiger. Post editorials are independent of the publication’s news coverage.
THE HIGH ROAD AGENCY HIGH ROAD SHINES IN PRODUCING ULTRA-SUCCESSFUL ARC EVENT AT SWVA CULTURAL CENTER The High Road Agency was proud to participate in the Appalachian Regional Commission event held recently at the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace.
artisans, who produced their crafts on-site.
HRA produced the event, which welcomed Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and ARC federal co-chair Gayle Manchin, First Lady of West Virginia. Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation, and many other government officials also took part in the event, which was attended by a crowd of nearly 200.
High Road installed special lighting in the amphitheater outside the cultural center, produced special seating that featured the Virginia “LOVE” letters around the fire pit, cared for guests’ transportation needs, and set up both the building and outdoor area with seating and tables. HRA also created signage, face masks, and napkins, monitored the green room talent, served as runners for various needs, and helped manage the on-stage portion of the program.
HRA worked with the SWVA Cultural Center to produce a festive, fun, fall atmosphere at the event, which featured live music, a variety of food and beverages from the Southwest Virginia region, and regional
Afterward, HRA was commended for their hard work, receiving special recognition from McClenny, who praised the agency’s prowess in creating yet another successful event for the SWVA region.
HIGH ROAD MAKES THEIR MARK ON A NEW BOOK In November 2020, The High Road Agency was asked to be part of an exciting endeavor – one of our client’s first books! And with our help, Jose Castillo, co-owner of Spark Plaza, recently released “Make Your Mark,” a children’s book. HRA was tasked with taking the story and artwork and laying out the book. Over the next six months, we worked closely with Jose, his publisher, and his illustrator to lay out the book. Finding the right font, colors, and imagery was
exciting as we began to see the book come to life. HRA also created a press release for the book, along with cards to go with packs of pens and markers included with the purchase of the book and pricing sheets. HRA, which was mentioned in the forward of “Make Your Mark,” was also very happy to take part in the official launch party for the book, which took place Sept. 30 in Johnson City.
WELCOME TO THE HIGH ROAD TREY! Trey joins us from Durham, NC, and his role at High Road will include client outreach and project management. Trey is a University of North Carolina Journalism School graduate. His professional background includes online platform monetization and
content agency services. Trey enjoys cooking dinners for his wife, Katy, and two young sons, Quay and Ozzy. His family also includes two german shepherds and a cat. Most weekends you can find Trey riding mountain roads or trails on one of his motorcycles. 13
APG CENTRAL
PIE EATING LEADS TO $10,000 APG OF EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA For more than 10 years the Sun Patriot group has operated one of the most successful events at the September community celebration known as Nickle Dickle Day. All of the usual events are on display at this annual event, such as a classic car show, craft fair, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, fun runs, music and food.
at City Square Park on that day. Hundreds gather around the pie-eating participants, all cheering for their favorites. The crowd and a deejay often count down the start to the mayhem. It’s over in a matter of minutes, but it’s tremendous fun for everyone, even those pie-eaters whose faces are ultimately covered in crème and crust.
But one of the most anticipated events, a pie eating contest, was conceived by Sun Patriot staff many years ago as a way to help local schools purchase supplies for kids who are less fortunate.
The event has not come without its hiccups, however. One year as pies were stored safely away near the competition, ants discovered the stash and defiled nearly every pie, which meant last minute replacement pies had to be shuttled from a local grocer to the pie site, just moments before the start.
Four sponsors are secured for the event, each donating $250 to be associated with the contest. Each school is represented by various participants. The individual who devours their pie fastest is declared winner. That winner then gets to take home $500 for their school. The rest of the money is split between the remaining six schools. No question this is the highlight spectacle
And all of the set up and planning has been handled by Sun Patriot staff since its inception. All totaled, the event has raised $10,000 for local schools. The contest has demonstrated that newspapers can play a key role in helping a community rally around a good cause and also have fun doing it.
Another year, pies were still semi-frozen at the time of the contest, so pie-eaters had to struggle with chomping their way through icy globs of fruit. But all of it has happened with an emphasis on fun.
Pie-eating participants sat up after Mike Harambasic, arms raised in jubilation, was declared winner in the adult category of the Nickle Dickle Day pie-eating contest, sponsored by The Waconia Patriot.
All of the pies have been donated by a local grocer, Mackenthun’s, since the beginning.
OURLIFE EXPO EMBRACES COMMUNITY APG OF EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA OurLife Expo embraces community The annual Sun Thisweek OurLife Expo was a welcome opportunity for senior citizens in the south metro of the Twin Cities to gather in person after a one-year pause in 2020 because of the pandemic. The expo is the capstone of a year-long campaign that highlights monthly print and online feature stories and marketing opportunities that focus on senior citizens from the area. APG of East Central Minnesota hosts several expos during the course of a year, including two in the south region of the Twin Cities that were held this past fall. “Our vendors and attendees say the expo is a lot of fun, as it allows for them to connect one-on-one
14
with others in the community,” said Carmen Meyer, OurLife Expo manager. “It’s also incredibly valuable to them since they are able to find ways to increase their ability to live stronger and better lives.” An expo spear-headed by advertising managers Jeremy Bradfield and Jerry Gloe is also held in the Central region. All of the expos require a tremendous amount of planning in the months leading up to actual
events, all handled by staff, including the operation of the event when hundreds of seniors show up for a day of education and fun. Dozens of exhibitors who specialize in numerous areas of interest to seniors, such as health care, housing, investments and banking, travel and more, are valuable partners in this day of outreach. The most recent expo was a hopeful sign that life continues to migrate toward normal and our efforts as a newspaper group helped play a small role in bringing joy and conversation to those in attendance. Vendors at the annual OurLife Expo, held this past September in Apple Valley, Minnesota, answered questions from seniors and offered some SWAG for the bags.
APG CENTRAL
WELCOMING NEW ASSOCIATES AND GREAT SUCCESSES APG SOUTHERN WISCONSIN
NEW HIRES JANESVILLE GAZETTE Jenny Noble recently joined the Gazette as Sales Support in the Advertising Department. A few of her strengths include customer service, organization, attention to detail and the ability to multi task in a deadline driven environment. Jenny comes to us from Kay Jewelers, where she was an Assistant Manager. Prior to this, she held roles in computer coding and ecommerce. A lover of all animals, Jenny breeds both dachshunds and aussiedoodles. Jenny is a Janesville native, having attended Parker H.S. HOMETOWN GROUP Sue Wake has joined the MMAE team at the Lodi Enterprise / Poynette Press. Sue has a background in television marketing and brings great marketing knowledge to the organization. Emma Hearron is the new MMAE for the Lake Mills Leader and Cambridge News / Deerfield Independent. She resides and in Lake Mills with her husband and children. She knows many business owners and has gained new customers within her first 30 days as an MMAE.
PRICE COUNTY REVIEW WELCOMES A NEW MMAE
Hometown News Group 10 years ago and we are glad to have him back.
SUCCESS NIGHT OWL HOOTS TO SUCCESS Scott Trentadue, a senior Multi Media Account executive, works tirelessly from our Sun Prairie office. And with vacancies in nearby Watertown, he also pitches in to help there as well. Recently, Scott was hard at work developing some new print and digital business. He was working later at night from home when his customer started responding to his emails. Well, Scott stayed at it from 10:45pm until 6:00am the next morning and walked away (slept away?) with a $6000 buy$5400 in digital and $600 in print. An admitted night owl, When Scott shared this on the weekly regional all sales conference calls there were whistles, gasps, and shout outs a plenty for such dedication and resulting sale. Scott has always had a high commitment level to the company and we are grateful for his hard work.
Matt Biblick, the new Multi Media Account Executive in the Parks Falls, WI. Biblick has always had an interest in publishing and journalism and is incredibly excited to join the team. “Everyone I’ve met here so far has been very welcoming and helpful in making me feel like part of the team,” Biblick says. Biblick was born and raised in the Park Falls area, where he graduated high school. He then spent two summers as an intern, writing racing articles for “All the Dirt Racing News,” before leaving the area to travel and work for the BNSF railroad as a contractor. Biblick is currently engaged to his fiancé Kayla Myers, who owns Kayla’s Kitchen and Closet in Park Falls. They spend most of their free time outdoors with their two dogs, Waffle and Violet. Welcome to the APG team, Matt!
Katie Francois is the newest MMAE to the Sun Prairie Star and DeForest Times market. She recently received her Master’s Degree. Katie enjoys helping businesses grow by giving them the marketing results that she can create for them. NEW MANAGING EDITOR Ryan Spoehr has been named the new managing editor of the Waterloo/ Marshall Courier. Ryan worked in the industry in northern Wisconsin and wanted to get move back to the Southern Wisconsin area. He interned with 15
APG WEST
STANWOOD CAMANO NEWS & ANACORTES AMERICAN SHINE BRIGHT IN WASHINGTON STATE APG WASHINGTON The Stanwood Camano News was honored Friday with 18 awards from the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association's annual Better Newspaper Contest, including winning first place in General Excellence. The newspaper's top finish in General Excellence, a prestigious award within the industry that compares overall quality of newspapers of similar size across the state, is the third consecutive year landing in the top three spots.
look at senior center residents' thoughts as they began receiving among the first local vaccine doses, sports page design for the March 30 edition, and color feature photo of Warm Beach Senior Community resident Phyllis Busse greeting a horse through a window. Caldwell also placed third in the color pictorial photo of a fisherman casting in waters off Camano Island amid thick redorange smoke from wildfires in September 2020.
Editor Evan Caldwell earned first place in the Photographer of the Year category, one of nine awards he earned. Reporter Peggy Wendel received second place in Feature Writer of the Year, one of her six awards.
Caldwell and reporting intern Mazey Servin-Obert won second place in social issue reporting for an article about how more women than ever before in positions of leadership in Stanwood-Camano area.
Wendel's accolades include first-place finishes in the long news story and history feature story categories for coverage of a conservation deal to keep Kristoferson Farm on Camano Island from ever being developed and her profile of a Camano Island resident's help researching eruptions at Mount St. Helens.
Servin-Obert also won third place for her sports personality profile about a Camano Island teen who travels the country for soap box derby racing.
Wendel also won second-place awards for a long feature story chronicling a dog that swam all the way around Camano, a lifestyle feature story about how birdwatching grew in popularity during the pandemic and a history feature story about local residents recalling the COVID pandemic's parallels to the polio pandemic.
The awards, for entries April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, were announced during the WNPA virtual convention on Oct. 8.
Caldwell won first place awards in six other categories: Sports feature story about high school seniors who lost their seasons due to COVID, business news story about local shops coping with the impacts from COVID, news of the weird for a Camano family's discovery of a mammoth tooth during a beach walk, COVID-19 coverage for a
16
Contributing writer Kim Hildenbrand won third place for her long personality profile about John Poole, who regularly walked the streets of Stanwood visiting with residents.
The Anacortes American was honored with 21 awards, including eight in first place, for its journalistic efforts over a year's time by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association during a ceremony Friday, Oct. 8. One of the most prestigious awards was presented to reporter Richard Walker, who was named News Writer of the Year. This year's WNPA contest, judged by category among small newspapers across the state, represented work published from April 2020 through March 2021.
AMONG THE AWARDS RECEIVED: FIRST PLACE • News Writer of the Year: Richard Walker • Health/Medical Story: Families meet through glass at hospital by Briana Alzola • Environmental Story: Partnership led to $64 million in site cleanups by Richard Walker • History Feature Story: Final days for old Anacortes fish plant by Richard Walker • Animal Feature Story: State enlisting public in battle with hornets by Richard Walker • Sports Feature Story: Anacortes Soo Bahk Do excels at nationals by Briana Alzola • Short Personality Profile: First woman fire chief appointed by Richard Walker • Video: Elwin Vernon's Birthday by Questen Inghram SECOND PLACE • History Feature Story: 135-year-old house destroyed by fire by Richard Walker • Animal Feature Story: Wolf Hollow rescues over 200 animals by Questen Inghram • Short Personality Profile: Schools superintendent finds his footing by Briana Alzola • General News Photo: City gets new line for water treatment by Questen Inghram • Color Sports Action Photo: Scrimmage in the snow by Briana Alzola THIRD PLACE • Investigative Reporting: City's pre-cleanup costs add up by Richard Walker • Social Issue Story: Teen leads silent march to support Black Lives Matter by Richard Walker • COVID-19 Coverage: Virus takes toll on singing group by Richard Walker • Sports Feature Story: Woman reaches goal of walking 2,020 miles by Briana Alzola • Short Personality Profile: New director of state parks from Anacortes by Questen Inghram • Color Feature Photo: Celebrating graduates by Briana Alzola • Video: Sunken ship lifted from Guemes Channel by Questen Inghram • Tourism Special Section - Explore Anacortes
APG WEST
LAND LOCKED WYOMING COMMERCIAL PRINTING PRODUCES MAUI, HAWAII NEWSPAPER APG WYOMING
(As the printing of the Maui Times is happening, Wyoming received the first snow of the fall which closed I-80 and I-25 by Cheyenne). When you first hear about it the normal response is how can it be less expensive to print and mail from Cheyenne Wyoming to Maui, then to print and deliver from Maui. It is true. It all started with a relationship. A current commercial client who has been very pleased with the work done by the Wyoming Commercial Printing operation was venturing into a weekly newspaper in Maui. When he compared what he was investing for his Colorado products being
printed in Cheyenne compared to the bids he was getting on the island, he asked the Wyoming Commercial printing team to look at what could be done. And yep, it is about $17,000 less expensive per issue (newsprint is 6.5x more expensive on the island than the mainland) to print. The cost of getting the paper, ink shipped to Maui combined with labor cost make the math work for the client. So far one issue has been delivered and the second one is on press currently. The process goes from pages delivered to the Wyoming Print facility by the client, printed and packaged to be entered into the Cheyenne Postal facility. It then travels
through Salt Lake City to San Francisco where it boards a freighter to Honolulu. Once there it heads to the Island of Maui for distribution through the Bulk Mail Unit of the US Postal service. The team mates that make this all happen the press and mailroom in Cheyenne led by John Posluszny APG of the Rockies Group Operations Director, Russell Stutheit, Pre Press Manager, Tyler Pauli, Mailroom Manager, Pressmen Joe Mc Daniel and Chris Williams and Robert Hall Mail Processing Supervisor.
SUCCESS WITH ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE EFFORTS APG OF THE ROCKIES The advertising sales team of APG of the Rockies blew away 2020 and 2019 sales in the Entertainment Guides in Rock Springs, Laramie, and Cheyenne Wyoming. With an annualized combine revenue target if $247,000, an increase of 15% over 2020 the team achieved over $320,000 and still counting. An overage of $73,000 plus to target and $110,000 over prior year. In Laramie the team exceeded 2019 by $33,000 coming in at $104,000 plus.
Achieving these results are Lloyd White, General Sales Manager in Rock Springs, Shelly Bissell General Sale Manager in Laramie, Tammy Mercer, Dawn Brandt, and Carissa Pollard selling in Laramie/ Cheyenne. The team is led by Ross Ulrich Group Advertising Sales Director. The APG of the Rockies team worked with Advantage Newspaper Consultants.
17
HUMAN
CHECK OUT THE APG HR PORTAL HR.ADAMSPG.COM HR STAFF | BENEFITS CONTACTS | JOB OPENINGS | NEWSLETTERS To help simplify your employment at APG, we have built this Associate portal as a resource for you. Inside, you will find quick links and easy access to: human resources staff, benefits contacts, job openings, newsletters and more… This is a great place to start when you are searching for HR information. Of course, if you can’t find what you are looking for or need additional help, our HR team is always available to assist you. You can find their contact info at hr.adamspg.com/contact or you can send them a quick message to AskHR@adamspg.com.
LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT POSITION WITHIN APG? CHECK OUT AVAILABLE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES ON THE HR PORTAL.
AskHR!
Have a question, but don’t know whom to ask? The Human Resources staff is listening! You can always send an email to Ask HR if you have questions or concerns. Emails will be kept confidential and, if we print your question in the APG newsletter, we will not use your name. Questions may be emailed to AskHR@adamspg.com or sent interoffice to your regional HR representative.
DON’T KNOW WHOM TO CALL? CONTACT HUMAN RESOURCES. DEB BROOKS
HR Manager – APG West dbrooks@skagitpublishing.com 360.416.2187
18
GWEN DAVIS
HR Manager - East gdavis@apgenc.com 252.366.8139
STEPHANIE LUEBKE
HR Generalist, APG Central sluebke@apgenc.com 608.755.8360
RESOURCES
ASSOCIATE
REFERRAL PROGRAM Know someone who would be a perfect fit at APG?
REFER THEM AND YOU CAN EARN CASH
WHAT’S IN IT FOR
YOU? $100
PLUS
UPON HIRE
$100 AFTER 30 DAYS
PLUS
$100 AFTER 60 DAYS
For any successful referral of friends, family members, or professional acquaintances, you will receive the following payment: • $100 for any person you refer after he or she is hired • $100 for any person you refer after he or she completes 30 days of employment • $100 for any person you refer after he or she completes 60 days of employment • $200 for any person you refer after he or she completes 90 days of employment • $500 for any person you refer after he or she completes 1 year of employment There is NO situation in which an incentive will be paid for any Associate who leaves for any reason prior to being employed for 30 days. To receive a referral incentive, the person making the referral must be an Associate of the company on the day the referred Associate is hired AND the day the referral bonus is due to be paid.
PLUS
$200
PLUS
AFTER 90 DAYS
$500 AFTER 1 YEAR
Please be aware that no Associate is authorized to make an offer of employment to any individual or promise employment of any type. All decisions regarding employment offers will be made solely by management. Only one referral incentive will be issued for each new Associate; it will be paid to the first eligible person to submit the form below to your APG Human Resources representative. Former Associates who may be rehired by the company are NOT considered to be a new referral and therefore will not be eligible for a referral incentive payment.
*THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND TURNED IN PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION BEING COMPLETED BY THE PERSON YOU ARE REFERRING.*
APPLICANT NAME
APPLICANT PHONE NUMBER
APPLICANT EMAIL ASSOCIATE NAME
DATE
Please submit forms or questions to your regional HR manager. 19
MOVIE NIGHT
MOVIE NIGHT NOW PLAYING: BLIND SIDE
For your chance to be one of two lucky winners of an APG Swag and Movie Bag:
FIRST CHANCE TO WIN:
SEARCH THE NEWSLETTER AND TELL US WHO WON THE MOVIE TRIVIA QUESTION IN OCTOBER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THE NOVEMBER MOVIE.
SECOND CHANCE TO WIN:
SEARCH THE NEWSLETTER FOR THIS MONTH’S MOVIE TRIVIA QUESTION AND SEND US THE ANSWER. *Contents of winner’s prize pack may vary.
All answers should be submitted to AskHR@adamspg.com. The winner will be drawn on Monday, November 22, 2021.
DO YOU HAVE A BRIGHT IDEA FOR OUR COMPANY NEWSLETTER?
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Submissions are due on the 10TH OF EACH MONTH at submitnews.adamspg.com. Submission guidelines: provide photo and story, include photo credit and names of people in the photos, original content only (no copyrighted material).
20
*Please note, there is limited space in the newsletter and not everything will be printed.