A roundup of news for our publication family!
2018 | Issue 4 Volumn 29 SEE INSIDE!
1) Lori Ligues Colorado County Citizen
Juggling Duties and Setting Goals Every now and then, about once a year I am called to duty to go help out at one of our newspapers for a week or two. No problem. Normally, the papers are generally on cruise control and I’m there to hold the doors open for a week or two while the publisher or salesperson is on vacation or out sick. Sometimes it may be to help sell a special section or do a SWAT. I can handle that, but the most difficult thing I usually encounter is how to work the phones. Why are they so different at each office? It was about this time last year when I was sent to Elgin to help out while the newspaper was without a publisher. One week turned into a few weeks which turned in to a month as we awaited reinforcements. Well, it’s been about a year and here I am again in Elgin. Fortunately, I love Elgin. It’s a genuine small Texas town, with most of the usual players. The staff here, slim as it may be, are good at what they do. Thank God! And, I’ve got a better handle on things than I did last year, but there are still fewer people to work with, but we’re working on that. See GOALS Page 3
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2) Carolyn Hill Taylor Press
3) Carrie Little Navasota Examiner
THANK A VETERAN OR A SERVICEMAN EVERY DAY!
FIND INSIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOR THE SEASON
JUGGLING DUTIES AND SETTING GOALS....1 Top Bookkeepers.....................................1 Table of Contents....................................2 Birthdays................................................3 LIVING A DIVERSE LIFESTYLE....................4 Employee Anniversaries..........................5 Question of the Month.............................6 THE RUNDOWN
Anahuac Progress....................................8 Bandera Bulletin.....................................8 Boerne Star...........................................10 SUMMER FUN WITH BOERNE STAFF........ 11 Colorado County Citizen........................ 12 Elgin Courier......................................... 14 Liberty Vindicator.................................. 15 THE REVOLUTION OF 1776 IS STILL ON....... 15 INSIDE THE MIND OF VALERI STAIR......... 16 Navasota Examiner...............................18 Taylor Press..........................................20 Granite Publications..............................22 GRETCHEN’S BABY SHOWER...................23 DIRECTORY............................................24 2
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GOALS continued from 1
Actually, I think I’m about a month earlier than I was last year. There are special sections upon special sections scheduled, and just around the corner is high school football season. So that means a Fall Sports section a football poster along with a Rodeo and Women in Business section, along with whatever else we can create to make a dollar. We’ll get ‘er done, but one thing I have forgotten since I got out of the publisher business was how to effectively juggle all the duties. In the workplace, it all starts with setting realistic goals. I know we want to make as much money as possible, but sometimes our eyes are bigger than our bellies and what might have been a great special section turns into a dud. Why? We might have had too many special sections sheduled. Valeri Stair is really good at analyzing special sections. She’s had a lot of experience with special section planning while at the Alpine Avalanche. If you’re having a problem with fitting in special sections, give Val a call. She’d love to help you out. Several years ago I remember all the pubs had to go through their special sections plans and eliminate some of the smaller special sections. One thing I saw done was to move a special section tab to a page or double-truck in the newspaper. And guess what? In many cases it was just as popular and we didn’t have that early deadline or special section to print and insert. Another very important thing is to balance your duties. Back in the day when people used to ask me what I did as a publisher, I simply replied ‘I’m the publisher, the referree and the janitor.’ Pretty much the truth, too. Well, I must say
the ladies here at the Elgin Courier keep things a little neater than it has been in a long time. (Thanks Kim and Lauren!) I must say there are those other duties that come in to play. There are ribbon-cuttings, festivals to attend, special sections to sell, photos to take, after-hour mixers, the irate callers, learning the phone system...just to name a few. That’s not mentioning the day-to-day responsibilties. It sure eats away at the family life. I must admit, I didn’t do a very good job when I was publishing in South Texas. My wife said I missed the 80s. But, us newspaper folk seem to be a different breed. We love finding a good story, getting a new advertising customer, and all the things that go with our business. But, it’s still tough sometimes and I admire all you folks out there that are finding a balance between your work and home duties and doing a great job at it. One thing I can say is I hardly every hear anyone complain. Fortunately, like some of you, I don’t have to spend hours covering a school board or city council meeting anymore. That wouldn’t be good for anyone. Juggling your work and home duties is extremely important. Prioritizing your workplace duties and homelife is an art. I applaud those of you that have been doing it. If you’ve got any good ideas or unique ways you balance your worklife and homelife, please feel free to share on Slack/ general channel. Until next month, happy selling! Jim Beaver, Director of Sales and Marketing
BIRTHDAYS Rickie Kerley, 7/2 Granite Printing
Daniel Philhower, 7/8 Granite Publications
Lori Ligues, 7/9
Colorado County Citizen
Orlando Rojo-Buendia, 7/12 Granite Publications
Stephanie Locke, 7/22 Boerne Star
Rose Stewart, 7/24 Boerne Star
Chris Brown, 7/27
Colorado County Citizen
Angela Scurlock, 8/3 Navasota Examiner
July 2018 Newsletter
Reagan Roehl, 8/4 Taylor Press
Tim Nemec, 8/13 Granite Printing
Samara Ovieda, 8/19 Granite Printing
Bill Pack, 8/26 Bandera Bulletin
Jason Hennington, 8/27 Taylor Press
Kolleen Roe, 9/6 Boerne Star
Grace Rangel, 9/7 Granite Printing
Fran Fox, 9/11 Bandera Bulletin
Carolyn Hill, 9/14 Taylor Press
Carolyn Atkinson, 10/03 Taylor Press
Matthew Hellman, 10/03 Granite Publications
Patricia Slavych, 10/08 Granite Publications
Valeri Stair, 10/12 Granite Publications
Scott Rucker, 10/20 Taylor Press
Casey Stinnet, 10/30 Liberty Vindicator
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Stephen Bartell goes for a fast ride at Willow Springs International Motorsports Park in Rosamond, California.
Living a diverse lifestyle Presenting: Stephen Bartell
By Boerne Star Staff In November, Stephen Bartell will commemorate 15 years as a delivery driver for the Boerne Star. He said his favorite things about his job are his boss Brian Cartwright, and the odd schedule, which he said fits into his own weird schedule. Over the years, he’s watched the sales of physical papers decrease, but that has counterbalanced with a huge increase in digital online subscriptions. Also, he said he’s seen an increase in the production quality since all of the printing has been moved to Taylor.
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Stephen Bartell’s kitchen renovation project includes new flooring, countertops and cabinets.
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“My favorite movie is Die Hard, hands down, although The Wizard of Oz rates up there, too.” Stephen Bartell “It’s a long way to go to pick up, but efficiency and quality are a lot better,” he said, adding not everyone is an honest customer. “Interestingly, no one carries quarters anymore. And people are taking more than one paper for each dollar they put into a rack more frequently. Go figure.” In his spare time, Stephen likes to ride his motorcycle, build and fix things, renovate his house (he recently remodeled his kitchen floor, countertop and cabinets), spend time in the woods, especially deer hunting to feed his family (including his wife Sherri, son Shawn, daughter Sophia and granddaughter Jessica), and writing screenplays and novels. In addition to writing, he enjoys reading. He’s read The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit several times, as well as the Silmarillion. He also likes movies and television. “[My favorite movie] is Die Hard, hands down, although The Wizard of Oz rates up there, too,” he said. “I love streaming video, Netflix, Hulu, Prime video. The Crown, first seven or eight years of Grey’s Anatomy, Shetland, Hinterland and Broadchurch come to mind as excellent shows, but there are many excellent productions out there.” He aspires to visit Papua New Guinea, but thus far his favorite place he has traveled to yet is the Lava Beds National Monument in northern California. “[There are] incredible giant tubes and caves to explore,” Stephen said. “They look like train tunnels.”
Boerne Star delivery man Stephen Bartell takes a break from the raceway.
EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES
JULY ANNIVERSARIES
AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES
Boerne Star
Boerne Star
Jessica Goode, 14 years Samara Ovieda, 1 year Granite Printing
Kolleen Roe, 14 years Danita Hutto, 5 years Granite Publications
Manerva Patrino Kutch, 5 years
Dayna Haynes, 9 years
Reagan Roehl, 3 years
Jordan Brogan, 3 years
Mandy Carroll, 1 year
Ana Cosino, 9 years
Rickie Kerley, 4 years
Dan (Casey) Stinnett, 2 years
Christopher Darus, 5 years
Monetta Dusek, 9 years
Nicole Shupe, 3 years
Patricia Slavych, 14 years
Chris Brown, 1 year
Jennifer Gray, 8 years
Granite Publications Taylor Press
Anahuac Progress Granite Printing
Bandera Bulletin
Navasota Examiner
Colorado County Citizen
July 2018 Newsletter
Anahuac Progress Granite Printing
Navasota Examiner Liberty Vindicator
Granite Publications Granite Publications Liberty Vindicator
Valencia Hatch, 3 years Granite Printing
SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Dana Smith, 20 years Boerne Star
Tim Nemec, 16 years Granite Printing
Richard Davis, 2 years Granite Publications
Kathleen Brenner, 14 years Boerne Star
Gretchen Dyson, 2 years Granite Publications
OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES Ina Lindley, 3 years Navasota Examiner
Brian Cartwright, 17 years Bandera Bulletin
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Q
UESTION
What is
OF THE MONTH
Michelle Banse Stokes Colorado County Citizen
Lori Ligues
Colorado County Citizen My dream vacation is an Alaskan Cruise with my son and family.
To visit Rome and the Vatican City, ride a gondola in Venice with the sun setting in the background, drink good wine and eat great food.
Carrie Little
Navasota Examiner
Carolyn Hill Taylor Press
My dream vacation is anywhere in the Caribbean. Actually this dream happened July 1-July 8, 2018. Belize, Roátan and Cozumel.
My dream vacation is to have a vacation. A real vacation. Not driving everywhere, getting up at dawn to arrive by a certain time. Not on a schedule where you have to be at a certain place at a certain time.
Valeri Stair
Granite Publications My dream vacation would have to be in the far distance future as it involves an extended time overseas. I plan to incorporate my dream retirement job (a bed & breakfast chain of my own) with my dream vacation. I want to stay in as many hostels and b&b’s as I can while on this dream vacation to learn as many tricks of the trade as I can so I can make sure I provide the most excellent care to my guests as possible. My dream vacation would be to go to Scotland and see the Loch Inch Castle (which is in my husband’s family), and then to Ireland to check on a few leads to my ancestors, and then to England just to say I’ve been there. And, heck, while I’m already away from work and all the way over there, I might as well spend some time in Italy, Spain, Greece, and France. I figure, with as sleuthful as I am, I’ll even find some MORE places I want to visit before I leave. I figure a month or 7 ought to do me just fine.
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s your dream vacation?
Kim Marlow
Liberty Vindicator Mine is anyplace I haven’t been really... Russia, Holland, Belgium, Egypt, to name a few. I would also love to return to Iceland, and take my daughter with me to show her where I’ve been and see everything I didn’t see the first time!
Matt Hellman
Granite Publications Eventually I want to travel everywhere on a worldwide photography tour. For now though, the places I most want to visit are New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia. I have always been a huge Lord of the Rings fan amongst other nerdy stuff and really want to visit the real setting of the movies.
Richard Davis
Granite Publications “You’re dreaming if you think I have time to take a vacation...”
July 2018 Newsletter
Reagan Roehl Taylor Press
Believe it or not, my dream vacation doesn’t necessarily include my fiancée (don’t tell her that). I’ve always wanted to get a group of guys together and visit the UK to watch a ton of soccer matches. We’d check out dozens of neat stadiums, drink a ton of beer, and join the Brits in their ridiculous songs and chants.
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Photo by Chuck McCollough | Bandera Bulletin
The Buffalo Belles All American Wild West Show covered wagon float drifts down the Medina River on June 30 as part of the Bandera Riverfest’s Anything that Floats Regatta.
THE RUNDOWN
Granite Pub takes an interest in the family buzz over the past few months. ANAHUAC PROGRESS
The past several months have been very hectic here, as it is every year dealing with back-to-back special sections. But we survived it and came out ahead! Thank goodness. As I am sure all the other papers go through the same. We did add a Lifestyles series that was fun to do and our customers seem to enjoy. We published it twice a month April – June as a pull out dinky, featuring things like Barbecue Month, All about Pets, Older American Month and Heart Health. It was something new we tried in our spring line-up. I am sure we will do it again. Personally, didn’t have much time to go and do much of anything – sometimes just chillin’ with Netflix is the most relaxing thing to do or not do! I did attend the 40th Anniversary of the movie Grease at the local theatre. That was a lot of fun! The theater was sold out and everyone sang with all the songs and couple of young people did dance routines with the movie! It was awesome!
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We are preparing for our 110th Birthday for The Progress. We are hosting a come and go reception on Friday, July 13. As far as the Historical Commission can figure we are the longest continuous running business in Anahuac. I have been spending time digging up old archives, searching for information about our beginnings. It’s so interesting to see how different our town was back in 1908 compared today. I am hoping for a good turn out for the reception, the Historical Commission offered to bring a cake! We will hold a photo op at 2 p.m. and will be giving away Schlitterbahn tickets as door prizes. It should be a lot of fun! BANDERA BULLETIN
Not too many changes have popped up at The Bandera Bulletin in the last few months as spring melted into another blistering summer. We have added a new newspaper distribution chief, Jesse Hinojosa, who learned the route quickly and has done a great
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job getting the papers back to Bandera and out to the post office branches and various outlets in the county. He’s done such a good job, he also was picked up by The Boerne Star to retrieve and deliver its papers. That sends Jesse to Taylor from Boerne and Bandera three days a week to handle deliveries. Office Manager Fran Fox also signed on to spend a portion of her work week in Boerne to handle bookkeeping duties for the Star. As a result of that change, Fran moved from Medina, in the middle of Bandera County, to Pipe Creek, on the east end, about the same distance from Bandera but much closer to Boerne. She said she loves her new residence, which is a lot like a “tiny” house that has enjoyed some newfound popularity. It has 325 square feet of space. “I really do enjoy it,” Fran said. Fran’s staying busy with her new schedule and doing the kind of top-notch work she’s become known for at Granite. She got away for a couple of days last month to attend a 50th wedding anniversary for her sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Gary Caldwell, in Burnet that 16 family members, including Fran’s son Lee Land from Fort Collins, Colorado, attended. Advertising rep Dee Russ celebrated a birthday on June 25. She and advertising representative Chris Darus have been busy keeping up with an influx of legal notices and ad inquiries that has come to the Bulletin since becoming the only newspaper in Bandera County earlier in the year. They also are busy pulling together a “Readers’ Choice 2018” tab that will be published in August identifying a variety of the favorite foods, businesses, people and things to do among the readers of
the Bulletin. The publication has changed its name this year after being called the “Best of the Best” in 2017. Chris continues to cover dual roles at the paper, both in advertising and editorial, as the sports editor. The end of school brought a fair number of college signings by the county’s top student-athletes who graduated this year. And now, he and staff writer Chuck McCollough are keeping readers apprised about the turnover in the coaching ranks in Bandera and Medina, including the exit of longtime, girls’ crosscountry, track and powerlifting coach Steve Goleman, whose crosscountry team has claimed the last four, 4A state championships. Goleman is returning to coach cross-country and track in Llano, where he worked 13 years ago before coming to Bandera. Chris, and General Manager Bill Pack, who is preparing for a 66th birthday in August, are looking forward to taking vacation time in the coming weeks to check in with family members and get recharged for the rest of the year. Meanwhile, Bandera and Bandera County continue to generate a fair amount of news. The Utopia Independent School District, while in adjoining Uvalde County serves students in Bandera County, hired a new superintendent, and the Bandera Independent School District has identified a lone finalist for its superintendency. A new city administrator, J. Horry, arrived in Bandera and got busy addressing park planning and other issues that had been on hold until he arrived. Bandera officials also were thrilled to announce that the Texas Water Development Board had approved a $3 million loan to the city for water system improvements that could save the city $680,000 in interest costs over the life of the loan.
Photo by Chuck McCollough | Bandera Bulletin
Some of the 153 seniors who graduated from Bandera High School on June 7 raise their hands in salute as they sing the school’s alma mater near the conclusion of commencement exercises.
July 2018 Newsletter
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BOERNE STAR
Jessica Goode welcomed her first granddaughter Haisley June on Friday, June 15, in San Antonio. She was 8 pounds 4 ounces. Jessica’s daughter Sarah did an amazing job bringing the family’s newest addition into the world. Both mother and baby are doing very well. Jessica also took an impromptu trip to Colorado in June, and attended her niece’s wedding in Corpus Christi in May. In Colorado, she stayed in Rye, about an hour and a half from Colorado Springs. While there, she went hiking in the Greenbelt Mountains and reached an elevation of 10,700 feet at the peak of her journey. In Boerne, a grassroots movement quickly developed to protest the proposed construction of a CVS Pharmacy in the historic district. Still in its infancy stage, the business must first jump hurdles set in place by the Historic Landmark Commission. If it gains approval, the commission will forward its recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Commission, which is set with its own set of hurdles that must be jumped before it lands on the desks of city council members.
ABOVE: Jessica Goode’s first granddaughter, Haisley. RIGHT PAGE BOTTOM THREE: Jessica’s impromptu trip to Colorado where she visited Colorado Springs and the Greenbelt Mountains.
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Summer fun with Boerne Staff
July 2018 Newsletter
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COLORADO COUNTY CITIZEN
May brought two festivals to Colorado County, and The Citizen was front-and-center at both. Publisher Michelle Stokes and Reporter Vince Leibowitz covered Weimar’s famous Gedenke! festival, and The Citizen was one of the sponsors of Columbus’ Magnolia Days Festival, which included Advertising Representative Brackston Nutt as a volunteer for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. In June, The Citizen staff attended the annual banquet of the Colorado County Chapter of the Coastal Conservation League, with guests Jett Ligues, son Citizen bookkeeper Lori Ligues; Tony Kubicek, a friend of Lori and Jett; Katie Nutt, wife of ad sales rep Brackston Nutt; and Zoe Michelle Urban, daughter of publisher Michelle Banse Stokes. Bookkeeper Lori Ligues traveled for miles this quarter – from a University of Texas graduation for her niece to Lafayette, La. to watch her nephew play baseball. Lori also spent time with family, fishing at Matagorda and also recently visited the Brookwood Community in Brookshire, a facility for citizens with disabilities, with her Texas Extension Education Association group. Publisher Michelle Stokes was recently re-elected Tail Twister of the Weimar Encore Lions Club, and Vince Leibowitz recently completed service on the scholarship committee for Columbus Rotary, which interviewed students to determine who would win this year’s 2018 John Sauls Columbus Rotary Club Scholarships. Chris Brown, Citizen typesetter, recently placed 5th in UIL Lincoln-Douglas Debate for Columbus High School.
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While our staff is sad that Brackston Nutt will be leaving us as ad sales rep, the staff wishes Brackston the best of luck as he studies for his new career as a minister.
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Citizen Publisher Michelle Stokes’ daughter, Zoe Michelle, and her graduating eighth grade class participate in the tradition of passing the flame to the incoming eighth grade class at St. Michael Catholic Church in Weimar. She will attend Weimar High School in the fall.
ABOVE LEFT: Citizen Bookkeeper Lori Ligues caught this black drum in Matagorda on a recent fishing trip with family. She released this fish but still had a great time. ABOVE MIDDLE: Lori Ligues recently visited the Brookwood Community in Brookshire, a facility for citizens with disabilities, with her Texas Extension Education Association group.
Typesetter Chris Brown attended prom at Columbus High School with his friend, Molly Michalsky.
July 2018 Newsletter
Citizen Publisher Michelle Stokes, center, and husband, Will Stokes, left, are all smiles following the eighth-grade graduation of their daughter, Zoe Michelle.
Citizen Publisher Michelle Stokes’ daughter, Zoe Michelle, enjoys some time on the beach with her border collie, Kate.
ABOVE RIGHT: Citizen Bookkeeper Lori Ligues enjoyed a trip to the movies with her family on Father’s Day.
Citizen reporter Vince Leibowitz is doing his part to help Colorado County preserve its rich history. As a member of the Colorado County Historical Commission, he recently prepared and submitted a historical marker application to seek recognition for Etta Moten Barnett, the first African American woman to sing at the White House, and the first African Woman cast in a major motion picture in a role other than that of a domestic servant.
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ELGIN COURIER
It’s been a busy month at the Courier! We welcomed Kim Brakhage to the family fulltime. Kim is our office manager now that Gail is back at the office in Taylor. Kim is doing an awesome job holding down the fort for the Courier and we are happy to have her and her awesome music playlists with us! Jim Beaver has been filling in as publisher for us since early June. He is helping us get our staff set while juggling all the different sections and promotions we have this summer and coming up in August. We bid farewell to Gail Schobey, who re-joined the office in Taylor. We had lunch and desserts to send her off on a sugar high! We will miss her greatly, but know she is only a phone call or short drive to Taylor away from us! Editor Lauren Jette took her first vacation in FIVE YEARS at the beginning of June with a trip to Breckenridge, Colorado with her brother and sister-in-law and nephews. The cooler temperatures and crisp mountain air were a welcome reprieve from the heat of Texas. Elgin celebrated the 49th annual Western Days festival the fourth weekend of the month. The Courier provided extensive coverage of the Miss Western Days pageant, for which Jim Beaver served as a judge for. We are gearing up for the busy month of August, when sports and school will start back up.
You can take the photographer out of the office, but not the camera out of her hands! Courier Editor Lauren Jette took a vacation to the mountains of Breckenridge, Colorado, where she snapped some great photos, atop of Jeep.
The Courier welcomed new office manager Kim Brakhage to the family fulltime in June. She has already rearranged the front reception area to her liking and is keeping us motivated with her music playlists.
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LIBERTY VINDICATOR
This month’s Pub submission should be about the events of June, but after last week, The Vindicator’s staff is having trouble bringing anything to mind about June. To them, last month seems like a very long time ago. On the off chance there is one person at Granite who has not heard yet, The Vindicator received a little more attention than usual around the 4th of July holiday. Among the publications and networks that picked up the story of The Vindicator’s spat with Facebook over the removal of a post containing an excerpt of the Declaration of Independence, the story was reported by the Washington Post, Fortune magazine, the New York Post, the New York Daily News, USA Today, CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN and Fox. It was picked up overseas by The Times, The Telegraph, The Independent, The Guardian and the BBC in the UK, Curved and Heise in Germany (“Facebook sperrt US-Unabhängigkeitserklärung als Hate Speech”), The Australian, The Economic Times in India (by way of IANS, the Indo Asian News Service), SUR in Spain, Dagospia in Italy and Thema News in Greece. Locally, folks in Liberty seem to have been most excited by Rush Limbaugh’s discussion of matter. We are told he went on at some length about it. Managing Editor Casey Stinnett is most proud of the treatment given to the subject by the Chicago Tribune’s Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Clarence Page. He also thinks the best article written about it (other than is own) was that by Amy Pollack for Slate.com. It was thoughtful and more on-point that most of the other coverage. The Vindicator received an insane number of comments and emails about the incident, and some of them were very complimentary ones by The Vindicator’s regular readers, who described the newspaper as objective and balanced in its reporting. The editor has also received very positive feedback regarding a piece about Independence Day that ran in the July 5 edition. If anything else of significance happened recently, The Vindicator’s staff is at a loss to recall it.
The Vindicator won a first place in the TPA contest for news photography. The winning photo was taken by a stringer who worked for us pretty regularly in the first part of 2017 named Wayne Moody. His photo was of a funeral procession for a National Guardsman who died in a helicopter crash. (Table of Contents photo)
July 2018 Newsletter
The Revolution of 1776 is still on By Casey Stinnett Liberty Vindicator
On July 4, we celebrated the work of an extraordinary group of men who wore ponytails and short pants. They were fond of ruffled shirts, long-tailed coats, and triangular hats, and they tied their hair with silk ribbons. When they really wanted to look fly they wore velvet. Many of them wore wigs, even if they had full heads of hair, and powdered them white. A few even wore makeup at times. They could be a witty bunch whose humor leaned toward long, multilayered insults. A number of them were inventors. A great many were fluent in Latin and Greek, several in Hebrew and Aramaic, and most in two or more modern languages. All of them knew their Bibles very well, even the ones who were not believers. They did not all agree on anything and arrived at their most important decisions only through a great deal of horse trading and compromise, which is why nearly every argument today based on “the original intent of the Founding Fathers” is pure fiction. The founders were rarely of one mind. They were not all good men. They were not all honest. They were not all revolutionary idealists, and those who were would each ultimately compromise his ideals out of necessity, or for political gain, convenience, or money. Usually for money. But despite their flaws, there was a moment — one brief, heady, and glorious moment — when they truly believed they could remake the whole world. Novus Ordo Seclorum, a new order of the ages, was what we called it before we forgot a little of what we were about as a nation and forgot all the Latin our founders knew. Our purpose as a country was written down as a statement of eternal truths in phrases prettier than any poet or lyricist has ever penned: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Yesterday we celebrated with fireworks, songs, speeches and flags. As always, we compressed into that celebration everything we think is good about America. But what we celebrated, the real reason for the holiday, is not about flags, songs and fireworks. It is not about the military, past wars or the great men of history. Each year on July 4 we celebrate our reason for being a nation. We celebrate our commitment to those eternal truths expressed in the Declaration, the truth of universal human rights, and we celebrate in the knowledge that we have a part to play in the cause our Founding Fathers handed down to us because the Revolution of 1776 is still on.
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Look up Charles! This was a photo before date night with Charles.
Valeri in Alpine performing at a concert at Lobo field. She opened for Salvador, a Christian group. They originally wrote and performed “How Far is Heaven,” made popular by Los Lonely Boys
Inside the mind of
Valeri Stair
By Jason Hennington “So, I probably shouldn’t tell you about the bodies,” Valeri’s son Samuel said with a straight face. Valeri’s response was her signature laugh to a straight face, “I’m always threatening to take out people who need it mostly. I have a big trunk in my car.” Before she could finish her thought, Valeri laughed hysterically. This is the Valeri the people at Granite Publications have come to know and love. However, there are things about her many people DO know - mainly because she tells them. “I can actually be quiet sometimes, and not just when I sleep,” she laughed. “I’m probably a lot more compassionate than I can come across sometimes.” She described herself as a “no nonsense gal.” Something else people might not know is her thirst for knowledge. “I love history,” Valeri said.
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While in college at Sul Ross State University, she almost switched her major from accounting to history. She took several unnecessary history classes just for fun. Valeri is only 18 hours away from earning her Bachelor of Business Administration degree. “I haven’t put a rush on the degree yet,” she said. “It’ll happen, but I’m taking my time.” Something else people would not know about is her dynamic carpentry skills. “I once remodeled a house with my best friend with nothing but $1,500 and two razor blade knives,” she said. She said it was possible with the help of a clearance sale at the hardware store and the willingness to help a little old lady. Valeri added that she appreciates being able to give a thumbs up with her right hand because she almost lost her thumb during the project. Valeri has been with Granite for 12 years and worked in Alpine and Taylor. She started at the Alpine Avalanche, where she worked for six years. The first four and half years she was the bookkeeper and the last year and a half she was a sales rep.
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loses herself in the music. Valeri could not pinpoint one song, but said anything by Whitney Houston is her favorite to sing. “I can totally just let it go,” she said. Her guilty pleasure song to sing is “I Gotta Girl Crush,” by Valeri Stair Little Big Town. “It’s a country song and I don’t even like country music,” she Then she moved to the Taylor Daily Press as the business laughed. manager. One year later she moved over to Granite. Valeri then talked about her compassion for other people. Valeri said her most memorable moment so far is her first day When asked how she would spend $30 million in 30 days to on the job with the Alpine Avalanche. collect $300 million her generosity was on full display. “I went to work and the girls did not bother to tell me it had an “The very first thing I would do is pay for my best friend’s alarm system that was motion activated,” Valeri said. “I walked husband transplant surgery,” she said. “Then I would purchase into the hallway . . . and set off all the alarms.” property near the beach so I can go there whenever I wanted to She was told to get the clicker out of a drawer and turn the listen to the waves.” alarm off. Without being told which drawer, Valeri grabbed the She said anyone who would like to go is invited. She would first clicker she could find in a drawer. also have a log cabin where the weather is colder. “After about an hour and a half of listening to [the alarm]... I “I don’t need anything huge, but I do have to have it big figured out it was the garage door clicker,” she said humbly. enough for my family,” she said. “It’s not because I want to be During the chaotic scene with the alarm and the garage greedy and extravagant, it’s because I want all of my little eggs door going up and down, the police never showed up and an in the nest.” elderly gentleman came in to buy a paper. She mentioned failed Valeri would start funds for her future grandchildren. attempts to unplug the alarm and try to reset the motion sensor. “I also want to do a scholarship fund for under privileged “The battery finally went down enough that it stopped kids,” she said. “I have a huge heart for them and I want them to beeping,” Valeri laughed. “The old man was like ‘did I win?’” be able to go to school.” When asked about the biggest difference in being in Alpine Valeri said spending the money would not be about her, but and Taylor, Valeri was left speechless. more about how she can help others. “It is two completely different worlds,” she said. “I just need enough to pay off my debts and make sure my Those of us who have worked with Valeri knows that she loves kids and my family members are taken care of, then I’m all about to sing. In fact, she would be surprised if anyone didn’t know. spending the rest on everybody else,” she said. “Sometimes as I’m concentrating on numbers . . . I put my Valeri’s dream is to one day be in the same conversation with earplugs in which drowns out the background noise,” she said. Santa Claus. “In my ears there is a whole lot of Whitney Houston and Motown, “I love doing things for other people,” she said. “If it makes and I can’t be quiet.” their life just a tiny bit better, that’s what I want to do.” She realizes that she’s singing aloud when people start closing Valeri’s ultimate goal for life is to make the world a little bit their doors. better than it was when she got here. Oh, and she is obsessed with poop emojis. When she works on Saturday, she turns the speakers up and
“I once remodeled a house with my best friend with nothing but $1,500 and two razor blade knives.”
Valeri giving her son Samuel a hard time. That’s his cap, shoes and socks. Valeri’s husband Charles took the photo and tagged Samuel on Facebook. His reaction was priceless.
July 2018 Newsletter
This was the first time Valeri shot a gun. She claims she was only decent, and hasn’t been shooting since.
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NAVASOTA EXAMINER
Birthdays, birthdays and more birthdays were celebrated at The Examiner this quarter. After a hectic April, May and early June, it was vacation time for The Examiner staff. Publisher Ana Cosino and Examiner Sports Reporter/Summer Helper Kyle Stafford held down the fort. Publisher Ana Cosino’s son, Jason Castillo, celebrated his First Holy Communion May 6 at Christ Our Light Catholic Church. Jason was excited about taking the Body of Christ, but “the blood” was not to his liking. Ana has been taking advantage of her other half’s work location and love of fishing to get some much-needed beach and boat time on the weekends. While most find seashores on a beach, Ana was surprised with a gold and diamond engagement ring July 4. If she ever stops starring at the shininess, they’ll set a date. Examiner Editor Nicole Shupe and her son, Examiner Intern Peyton, decided to travel to Boston during the largest heat wave on record. Despite the heat, they enjoyed the three-day Science Leader Conference, yummy seafood, and a tour of Peyton’s dream school MIT (and all the normal tourist traps). Examiner Bookkeeper Carrie Little took two days off during May to watch her great niece, Ilene, while her parents went on vacation. Carrie and Ilene relaxed for two days and enjoyed some ice cream. Carrie’s niece, Autumn, came and spent the month of June with Carrie and her family. They have really enjoyed having her home. Carrie set sail on the Caribbean Sea with her god daughters, Morigan and Maizie, July 1-8. Carrie enjoyed every minute of the trip and is looking forward for her next adventure. We were sad to see Examiner Sales Rep Angelique Galvan leave us
for other opportunities, but we are excited to announce our newest addition to the team Angela Scurlock. Angela will be taking over the Examiner’s Sales Rep position. Angela is a hometown girl with hometown roots and she is excited to join our team. In April we were all excited to attend an event as sponsors and guest without having to work. The Great Gatsby themed gala allowed us to show off our 1920s style while supporting one of our local community organizations. We celebrated Ana’s 36th birthday on May 23, Nicole’s 35th birthday on May 27, Mildred’s birthday on May 31 (she doesn’t wish to disclose her age at this time), and Michael’s 43rd birthday on June 21. We are entering the busiest time of the year, pray for us. Much love to all!
Examiner Publisher Ana Cosino turns 36 on May 23. The Examiner staff celebrated with a yummy strawberry cake.
Examiner Publisher Ana Cosino’s son, Jason, celebrates his First Holy Communion.
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Examiner Publisher Ana Cosino shows off her shiny ring. Manuel prose to her on July 4. They are pictured with their very excited son, Jason.
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Examiner Sales Rep Angela Scurlock and her family. Pictured from left to right, (back): Angela’s daughter’s Jayda and Layla, (front): Examiner Sales Rep Angela and her husband Shawn.
Examiner Publisher Ana Cosino and Angelique Galvan at the Cinco de May Celebration in Downtown Navasota.
Examiner Bookkeeper Carrie Little and her goddaughters, Morigan (left) and Maizie (right), having dinner before they sail off in the ocean. Examiner Bookkeeper Carrie Little, Examiner Editor Nicole Shupe and Examiner Publisher Ana Cosino are off to The Great Gatsby themed gala.
Examiner Circulation Driver Michael Carrington turns 43 on June 21. The Examiner staff celebrated him with a yummy buttermilk pie.
July 2018 Newsletter
Examiner Bookkeeper Carrie Littler and her niece, Autumn, enjoyed the month of June together.
Examiner Editor Nicole Shupe turns 35 Examiner Editor Nicole Shupe and her son, Peyon May 27. The Examiner staff celebrated ton, vacationed to Boston to tour MIT (Peyton’s Nicole with a yummy gluten-free lava cake. dream school).
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Reagan got engaged!
TAYLOR PRESS
We’re supposed to tell stories about our staff’s personal adventures, not about all our community involvement. However, for some of us, our community involvement WAS our personal adventure the last few months. Take our publisher, Richard Stone. He spent far too much time in May ramrodding a major community music and barbecue festival in downtown Taylor. The Stomp’n’Holler BBQ + Music Festival took over the city the first weekend in June — and Taylor still hasn’t eclipsed the heat we experienced that day. Sort of par for the course, there appears to be no photographic evidence that Richard even attended the event, much less that he was on site that day from about 7 a.m. until well after midnight. He said he’s glad … by the middle of the day, he looked like something the cat had toyed with and, by the end, was not fit for man nor beast. (Oops, Jason found a photo — now you know the brutal truth.) Taylor Press Managing Editor Jason Hennington, however, did make it into a photo or two. Someone caught him taking a break and it was, perhaps, the only time he sat down all day long. The rest of the quarter, Jason spent most of his time with his little girls. In April, Jason and his oldest, Jasmine (7), visited the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle traveling exhibit in Waco.
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Later that month, Jason, dressed as a knight, escorted Jasmine to a princess party at the Taylor Public Library. In May, the duo participated in a field day at her school. Somehow, Jason ended up as the subject in the dunking booth. Office manager Carolyn Hill remembers she celebrate a whole bunch of birthdays with her grand kids. In April, it was Maddison Hill’s 17th birthday. Madison’s birthday is actually in February but it was postponed till April when the weather was nice and she could take off from work. Carolyn traveled from Burleson to Round Rock for an all-girl sleepover with grandma, aunts and sisters. There was also shopping and eating. Did she mention there was shopping? In May, she helped celebrate Jackie Hill’s 7th birthday with an outide pool party in Round Rock. In June, it was Christopher Hill’s 27th birthday, an all-nighter of Austin fun. (Carolyn CLAIMS she is too old for that sort of party.) Carolyn celebrated three birthdays in June — Avis Walls’ 21st, Randy Hill’s 20th and De’yon’s 4th — that last was a Power Rangers Party in Taylor. Finally (but certainly not in terms of importance), sports guy Reagan Roehl popped the question to long-time girlfriend Allison Bahneman after four years of dating. Surprisingly, she said “yes.” They met while attending school at St. Edward’s University in Austin.
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July 2018 Newsletter
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GRANITE PUBLICATIONS (MAIN OFFICE)
For Granite Publications, we let our pictures do the talking. Check out what has been going on with all of our people.
Phelfie on the Duck Tour
The Philhowers took a family vacation to Branson, Mo. It looks like they had a lot of fun from the pictures they provided. ABOVE: Branson Landing Fountains
LEFT: Tanner Captain of the Titanic. MIDDLE: Sights-Sounds-Samson Performance RIGHT: Grace Driving the Duck
LEFT: The Beaver family (minus Jim) take a vacation trip to Schlitterbahn. MIDDLE: Calista graduates high school. RIGHT: Jim Beaver holds a fish he caught.
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Plus One
A new family addition - Alexandra Lily Dyson
ALEXANDRA LILY DYSON BORN MAY 18, 2018 @ 7:43 P.M. 6 LBS 4 OZ • 17 INCHES
July 2018 Newsletter
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GROUPWIDE DIRECTORY GRANITE HEADQUARTERS 3115 Loop 306 Ste. 111, San Angelo, TX 76904 365-949-4700 monetta@granitepub.com PO Box 1010 • 211 W. Third St. • Taylor, TX 76574 512-352-8285 • Fax: 512-352-8295 512-352-1009 • Fax 512-352-3227 ads@granitepublications.com pages@granitepublications.com JIM CHIONSINI jchionsini@yahoo.com O: 325-949-4700 | C: 325-315-6328 DANIEL PHILHOWER daniel.philhower@granitepublications.com Cell: 512-203-1893 JIM BEAVER jim.beaver@granitepublications.com Cell: 512-461-6906 VALERI STAIR valeri.stair@granitepublications.com Cell: 512-955-9139 PATTI SLAVYCH patti.slavych@granitepublications.com Cell: 713-377-1372 RICHARD DAVIS richard.davis@granitepublications.com Cell: 479-445-5465 ORY BONEY ory@graniteprinting.net Cell: 512-269-9837 ACCOUNTING Danita Hutto danita.hutto@granitepublications.com Gail Schobey gail.schobey@granitepublications.com AD SERVICES Minerva Kutch minerva.kutch@granitepublications.com Orlando Rojo-Buendia orlando.rojo-buendia@granitepublications. com PAGE DESIGN Gretchen Dyson gretchen.dyson@granitepublications.com Matt Hellman matthew.hellman@granitepublications.com Fernando Castro fernando.castro@granitepublications.com
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PUBLICATION OFFICES
• Chris Brown: copy@coloradocountycitizen.com
THE ANAHUAC PROGRESS (Wednesday) General Manager: Dayna Haynes PO Box 100 • 306 Willcox St. Anahuac, TX 77514 409-267-6131 • Fax: 409-267-4157 theananahuacprogress.com theprogress@theanahuacprogress.com • Dayna Haynes: theprogress@theanahuac progress.com
ELGIN COURIER (Wednesday) Editor & Publisher: PO Box 631 • 105 N. Main • Elgin, TX 78621-0631 512-285-3333 • Fax: 512-285-9406 elgincourier.com publisher@elgincourier.com • Kim Brakhage: ar@elgincourier.com • Lauren Jette: lauren.jette@elgincourier.com • Scott Rucker: scott.rucker@elgincourier.com
THE BANDERA BULLETIN (Wednesday) General Manager: Bill Pack PO Box 697 • 606 State Hwy 16 South Bandera, TX 78003 830-796-3718 banderabulletin.com • Bill Pack: bill@banderabulletin.com • Fran Fox: office@banderabulletin.com • Chris Darus: chris@banderabulletin.com
GRANITE PRINTING Director of Print Operations: Ory Boney 2675 CR 374 • Taylor, TX 76574 512-352-3687 • Fax: 512-352-6138 • Ory Boney: ory@graniteprinting.net • Grace Rangel: grace@graniteprinting.net
BOERNE STAR (Tuesday & Friday) Editor & Publisher: Brian Cartwright PO Box 820 • 941 N. School St. Boerne, TX 78006 830-249-2441 • Fax: 830-249-4607 boernestar.com briancartwright@boernestar.com • Brian Cartwright: briancartwright@boernestar.com • Kolleen Roe: kolleen@boernestar.com • Kerry Barboza: sports@boernestar.com • Rose Stewart: rose@boernestar.com • Dana Smith: subscriptions@boernestar.com • Stephanie Locke: stephanie@boernestar.com • Kit Brenner: kitbrenner@boernestar.com • Suzy Nelson: Suzy@boernestar.com • Jessica Goode: jessica@boernestar.com COLORADO COUNTY CITIZEN (Wednesday) Editor & Publisher: Michelle Banse PO Box 548 • 2024 Hwy. 71 • Columbus, TX 78934-0548 979-732-2304 • Fax: 979-732-8804 coloradocountycitizen.com publisher@coloradocountycitizen.com • Michelle Stokes: publisher@colorado countycitizen.com • Lori Ligues: bookkeeper@coloradocountycitizen.com • Vince Leibowitz: vince@coloradocountycitizen.com • Jason Hogan: reporter@coloradocountycitizen.com
THE LIBERTY VINDICATOR (Thursday) Editor & Publisher: Jennifer Richardson 1939 Trinity • Liberty, TX 77575 936-336-3611 • Fax: 936-336-3345 thevindicator.com publisher@thevindicator.com • Jennifer Richardson: accounting@thevindicator.com • Casey Stinnett: editor@thevindicator.com • Kim Marlow: ads@thevindicator.com NAVASOTA EXAMINER (Wednesday) Editor & Publisher: Ana Cosino PO Box 751 • 115 Railroad St. • Navasota, TX 77868 936-825-6484 • Fax 936-825-2230 navasotaexaminer.com publisher@navasotaexaminer.com • Ana Cosino: publisher@navasotaexaminer.com • Carrie Little: bookkeeper@navasotaexaminer.com • Angela Scurlock: ads@navasotaexaminer.com • Nicole Shupe: news@navasotaexaminer.com TAYLOR PRESS/HUTTO NEWS (Sunday, Wednesday) Editor & Publisher: Richard Stone PO Box 1040 • 211 W. Third • Taylor, TX 76574-1040 512-352-8535 • Fax: 512-352-1505 taylorpress.net publisher@taylorpress.net • Richard Stone: publisher@taylorpress.net • Jason Hennington: news@taylorpress.net • Carolyn Hill: business@taylorpress.net • Reagan Roehl: sports@taylorpress.net • Kristina Weise: strossel@taylorpress.net
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