SMR-7-12-2012

See Pages 4&5

See how a tornado impacts a community and a newsroom on Page 36.

FACE TO FACE — Volume 26, No. 2

TO

with Trevis Mayfield Vice President, Shaw Media Publisher, Sauk Valley Media

Shaw Media Reporter is the official magazine of Shaw Media, 444 Pine Hill Drive, Dixon, Illinois 61021.

Shaw Media publishes the Reporter three times a year to keep employees and friends informed.

If you have any questions or suggestions for articles or would like to be put on the mailing list, please contact one of the editors listed below.

Karen Pletsch, Publisher DeKalb, IL 815-756-4841

Greg Wallace, Editor Bureau County Republican Princeton, IL 815-875-4461 Peggy Campbell, Content Coordinator Shaw Media Corporate Services Dixon, IL 815-284-4000

Contributing Editors

Rita Roberts, Bureau County Republican Princeton, IL 815-875-4461

Stephani Finley, Creston Publishing Company Creston, IA 641-782-2141

Mandi Lamb, News Printing Company Newton, IA 641-792-3121

Allison McCaleb, Suburban Group Crystal Lake, IL 815-526-4485

Kris Boggs, Sauk Valley Media Sterling, IL 815-625-3600

2 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

I

Good culture is key to always being ready

n late April, a shockwave went through the Sauk Valley when the FBI raided Dixon City Hall and arrested City Comptroller Rita Crundwell, who is under investigation for the misappropriation of $53 million. The story was (and still is) huge!

Without warning, Sauk Valley Media found itself at ground zero of the national story, which will remain in the spotlight for months to come.

Because of the sensational nature of the story, every news organization in the country seems to want a piece of it. Like ticks on a dog, television and cable networks rolled into Dixon along with reporters from numerous national publications. Not surprisingly, the outsiders spent most of their time fishing for sensational quotes and sound bytes from townspeople. After all, the important facts of the story have not flooded out of the investigation fast enough to nourish their breathless 24-hour news cycle.

So, while the others have descended on our barbers, shopkeepers and coffee drinkers, the real reporting has been left to us, and our reporters and editors have delivered in spades. We hadn't prepared specifically for a story of this magnitude, but at it turns out, we were ready.

While the story has been anything but routine, our small reporting staff of six never became flustered, overly excited or scattered. It was as if our staff was comprised of grizzled veterans who had done this sort of thing before.

In reverse engineering how we made ourselves ready for this story that we didn't expect, it is clear our readiness stems from reasons both foundational and systemic.

The foundation of our editorial success begins with the leadership of our newsroom. In Larry Lough, our executive editor, we have a thoughtful veteran who has pretty much seen it all. Nothing much gets him worked up other than a top-of-the-line tenderloin sandwich. Then there are editors Jeff Rogers, Kathleen Schultz and Jim Dunn, workhorses who set high journalistic standards and stay in constant commu-

nication with our staff. Thanks to their commitment day-in and day-out, our reporters work in a professional environment where information is shared and training is constant. But still, the vast majority of hard work involving this story has fallen to our young staff of reporters.

Several years ago, we came to the conclusion that if we wanted to be an outstanding news organization, we needed to hire outstanding people, especially when it comes to our reporters. We began to view recruitment and hiring as one of the newsroom's top three priorities. We became very picky about who we brought on board, and we became very picky about who we kept. We hired for talent, energy, and professional character. This, alone, led to higher standards of performance because of the standards inherent in those we hired.

A second transformative priority was to put a premium on clarity of mission.

Our staffers needed to understand our goals, and the role they would play in achieving them. With great repetition, we have worked to fill our products with high-quality, locally produced content that cannot be duplicated by anything other than a professional staff. That message has been a constant drumbeat, and because of it, our reporters understand our community well, and they have developed outstanding networks of sources.

The last of our three priorities – and probably the most powerful – was to strive to build a team environment where people trusted each other. We have aimed to accomplish this by being open, honest and fair. This effort, we believe, is key to why we can continue to hire exceptional young journalists, and it also is why they stay around for a while. Treating good people well and appreciating their accomplishments is more than just the right thing to do: It's a powerful strategy that has played an important role in readying our newsroom for whatever comes next.

As the old saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day, so I guess it's a good thing we started putting bricks in place a long time ago. www.ShawMEDIA.com

SIX STAR UPDATE — Volume 26, No. 2

UPDATE

Face to Face ......................................... pg. 2 Cover Story . ........................................ pg. 4

Booyah Guarded optimism is taking root. Sales and earnings are above budget for the first half of the year. Our teams prove day in and day out that we are committed to being great by choice.

Big Results

Human Resources/Safety ...................... pg. 6 Technology............................................ pg. 7 Graphically Speaking ............................ pg. 8 Multi-Media . ........................................ pg. 9

Shaw Suburban weekend paid readership is up year over year...NWH +1.34%, DCC +2.08%, and KCC +15.22%.

Big Award Adam Nekola, NWH Senior Web Producer, was named Illinois Innovator

In Focus ..............................................pg. 10 Sauk Valley Media ......................... pgs. 11-17 Suburban Group ..........................pgs. 18-24

of the Year by Illinois A. P. Editors' Association. He competed with state's largest newspapers. Way to go Adam!

Bureau County Republican ..........pgs. 25-26

Big Deal

Creston Publishing Co. . .............. pgs. 27-30

April produced our largest online deal to date. In just one week, across

News Printing Co. ................................ pg. 31

our Illinois websites, we sold 1,650 packages for Key Lime Cove Resort totaling $179,000. Outstanding!

Service Anniversaries ................. pgs. 32-35

Big Help

New Faces ..........................................pg. 35

The newest member or our "Deals" family is the "Big Help" fund raising opportunity to help victims of tragedies. Sauk Valley's first appeal raised $1,200 for a seriously wounded soldier serving in Afghanistan. We will use this community advocacy tool whenever the need arises.

New Responsibilities . .........................pg. 35 The Back Page ...................................pg. 36

Big Promise USA's most famous female accused embezzler has given Sauk Valley Media a new promotional slogan..."What Happens in Dixon GETS REPORTED". Sauk Valley Media's news team has had much to photograph, video, type, text, like, tweet, post, and talk about...all of it getting reported.

www.ShawMEDIA.com

Coming Soon Due to the volume of awards Shaw Media has received, we will be producing our 1st "Award Winners Poster" with a complete list of Editorial, Advertising, Marketing and Digital Awards announced this year.

Watch for details.

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 3

COVER STORY

Small newspapers have to ‘own’ big stories when they come along

By Larry Lough, SVM Executive Editor

Y

oung reporters don't come to Sauk Valley Media with the expectation of covering big stories.

They come to get experience, some clips, and a line on the résumé that accompanies the application for their next job at a bigger newspaper – where they hope to cover the big stories.

In recent years, however, they have had reporting opportunities in the Sauk Valley that seldom occur in such smaller markets.

In the summer of 2008, eight people died – five in Whiteside County – in a spree killing that authorities blame on Nicholas Sheley, a career criminal from Sterling.

We've since had the first homicide in Dixon in 20 years, a surprise visit by President Obama to the Whiteside County Fairgrounds, and the deaths of two Sterling teens who were electrocuted by irrigation equipment while they were on the job as corn detasselers.

But none of that – even a sen4 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

sational multi-murder story – was a match for the bombshell that hit Dixon on April 17, when City Comptroller Rita Crundwell was arrested in connection with the “misappropriation” of $30 million over the past six years.

We had daily updates, enterprise coverage and commentary for two weeks, before the story got even bigger as federal prosecutors revised those numbers to $53 million over 20 years.

Shortly after we got a tip that the FBI was rummaging around Dixon City Hall on the morning of April 17, Dixon government reporter Emily Coleman, photo chief Alex Paschal, and video reporter Angel Sierra were on the scene.

After the arrest of Crundwell was announced later that morning, managing editor Jeff Rogers and assistant managing editor/content Kathleen Schultz put three (of our Coleman five) full-time

reporters on the story for the foreseeable future.

• Coleman took on the city government and budget issues, and used her Dateline Dixon column to address the myriad rumors that swirled throughout the community.

For one story, she identified two experts – a forensic auditor and a fraud examiner – to review city budgets and provide insights into the lax financial oversight in the city's commission style of government.

• Courts reporter Tara Becker was assigned to follow the legal proceedBecker ings in U.S. District Court in Rockford and obtain what information she could from the U.S. attorney's office. That put her (and Coleman) on the road to Rockford for a hearing just hours after Crundwell was arrested.

• County government reporter David Giuliani got the job of finding out every detail available about Giuliani Crundwell's personal life, which included a national reputation as a quarter horse showman and breeder. A sweep of public records in Lee County turned up a gold mine of data, including the assessment and tax records on her local horse ranch, the property settlement from the break-up of her 12-year marriage, a lawsuit over wages paid to workers at her ranch, and even her voting record (she hasn't voted since 1998, not even in city elections).

After getting video of the FBI carting records out of City Hall, Angel Sierra recorded news conferences, city council meetings, and other Sierra related events to www.ShawMEDIA.com

COVER STORY

Harry Smith (right) of NBC News, interviews Jeff Rogers, managing editor at Sauk Valley Media, for an upcoming segment of "Rock Center with Brian Williams". In May, an NBC crew was in Dixon investigating the misappropriation of city funds by former Dixon Comptroller Rita Crundwell. enhance online coverage of the story.

Such “ownership” of such big news is important for small newspapers to embellish their brand as the dominant local news Flynn source – one that gets used by regional and even national news outlets that swoop into town for a glimpse of the scandal. Sierra built a special section on the website – “Arrest at City Hall” – that now has more than 50 stories, 11 videos, nearly www.ShawMEDIA.com

two dozen documents, and more than 20 editorials and columns.

Even though the Crundwell story didn't break until mid-month, online page views were up 41 percent for Sood April.

Unfortunately, the world doesn't stop when the big story comes along. That's why the Crundwell team continued to write other stories from their beats. And business/schools reporter Bridget Flynn and Sterling/Rock Falls report-

er Kiran Sood helped to maintain a strong local report daily around the Crundwell coverage.

Sood even wrote a related story about the Sterling city manager, who said he had warned someone in Dixon city government that Crundwell's statements about late payments from the state didn't add up. He declined to say whom he had talked with.

Our coverage of this remarkable story was marked by good leadership, great teamwork, and the creativity to explore reporting well beyond the obvious – the kinds of things that can make young reporters happy they took a job with Sauk Valley Media.

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 5

HUMAN RESOURCES & SAFETY UPDATE

Blue Access for members adds health forums, expert tips for living healthier If you carry the company's health insurance, you are eligible to participate in My Blue Community®*, a new health and wellness social network for Blue Cross members. Available through Blue Access for Members (BAM: http://www.bcbsil.com/member/index.html), My Blue Community provides insights from thousands of people. Within My Blue Community, members can share stories, offer support and submit tips on how to live healthier.

My Blue Community members will be part of the community's shared exchange of ideas, wisdom and views on more than 40 health • Go to the web address and wellness printed on their member ID topics, such as card. weight loss, par• Click Already a Member? enting, workout and log in to BAM. routines, how to • Click My Blue Community quit smoking and from the Quick Links listed more. My Blue on the home page.

Community also • On their first visit, memhas health and bers will be asked to create nutrition experts their My Blue Community who answer account (choose a discrete questions and screen name). reputable bloggers • Members may return to who share their My Blue Community anytime thoughts on runin the future through BAM. ning, parenting, food topics and more.

More than 60,000 chats are on My Blue Community and more are posted daily. This forum offers members an opportunity to connect online with those who have similar interests. * My Blue Community is a website that enables discussions among individual users. This website is intended solely as a forum for general information and users' opinions; it does not contain any advice that is intended for medical diagnosis or treatment, and does not substitute for professional medical advice and services. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider on any medical condition and before following any information that may appear on My Blue Community.

Members will be directed to follow these easy steps to register for the new forum:

6 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

The Shaw Media “Don’t Take Safety For-Granted” contest for safety committee members had a drawing in April with four chances to win $50.

The winners were Rich Ponulak from Morris, Terri Simon from Princeton, and Rich Ponulak Terri Simon Kevin Drake and Jeff Levine from Creston.

In order to be eligible for drawings, safety committee members must attend safety committee meetings, and their organizations must report accidents in a timely manner to Kevin Drake Jeff Levine the insurance carrier, or be accidentfree.

Safety committees play an important part in keeping employees safe by promoting safety, taking precautions to prevent accidents from occurring, training, and helping the company comply with safety rules.

There were three incidents requiring medical attention January, February, March, and April. Here are the results: Sauk Valley Media – 1 Creston News Advertiser – 1 News Printing Co. – 1 No other locations had incidents that required medical attention. www.ShawMEDIA.com

TECHNOLOGY

The Future of IT

By Matt Woodstrup Digital Production Coordinator Shaw Media Corporate It's a tough job to predict what could, should or would happen in the future.

Nobody really knows, especially when working with Information Systems or IT. In a video from 1967 they predicted we would all be buying things and paying bills on a computer. At the time I'm sure these were all fun thoughts.

Predictions from the past have impacted our daily lives to the point that we wouldn't know how we could manage without these ideas. Leaving home without your cell phone? Most of us would never think of leaving home without one.

At least having one within reach if not on.

As we look to the foreseeable future of our computer workstations and other mobile

devices, it is easy to note simple changes. More iPads were sold than any single manufacturer sold PC devices. More of us will be using devices that we take with us. We will be in constant contact with others. Operating systems that run remotely and supported within the cloud is all possible now. Hardware will become smaller and smaller.

Could we be doing more work with our thoughts than our hands? Anything is possible.

8 ON THE WEB For more, check out the Shaw Reporter on Page Suite.

The 1960s were a time of big thoughts and ideas. Anything was possible in the future. We were literally reaching for the stars. Our cars, kid's toys and some buildings resembled rockets. If we could dream it we could do it, someday.

Certification

Spotlight on Speakers

Employee name and position held: Matt Woodstrup, Digital Production Coordinator, Shaw Media Corporate

Name/Position: Kiran Sood, Reporter, Sauk Valley Media

Certification received for: Apple Support Essentials OSX 10.6

Presentation Subject: Kiran's weekly column "Twin Cities Talk" which focuses on Sterling and Rock Falls, her main beats.

Date completed: May 9, 2012

Audience: Sterling Kiwanis Club

Reason for taking class: Staying as current as possible with OSX and taking advantage of features. www.ShawMEDIA.com

Matt Woodstrup

Kiran Sood

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 7

GRAPHICALLY SPEAKING

Sharing Workplace Ideas With ShawMedia Connect

By Brian Hurley Media Applications Coordinator Shaw Media Corporate

I’ve been wrapped up with ShawMedia Connect training for a few months. The training was well received everywhere I went.

We’d like you to present ideas on how you would like to see Connect used in your everyday workflow.

Send me suggestions, or post to Connect....

Below is a review of Profiles and Communities, big parts of Connect.

On the left side of the page, above “The Pulse” status bar is your name, which is a link to your profile.

Click it to go to your profile page.

This is also where your blogs are written. Blogs are visible when viewing user profiles.

Select Edit Profile or Change Picture to set up or edit your profile.

User profiles are quickly visible by hovering over names. Clicking on the name link gets you to their profile.

The Communities area is in the middle section of the Home page.

This has icons to all communities you are a member of.

Similar to conferences, communities are places that multiple users, both internal and external, can “meet” to share information, including feed messages, uploaded documents, and informational wikis.

The discover link on the right of the gray window lets you find existing communities and request membership if you are interested in it.

8 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

www.ShawMEDIA.com

MULTI-MEDIA

Nancy Lane, LMA

Members of the Mission discuss innovation at Fisher Communications in Seattle, WA.

What does innovation look like?

By Ben Shaw Chief Digital Officer Shaw Media At the end of May, I attended the Local Media Association’s West Coast Innovation Mission to answer that very question. Joined by representatives of our industry’s top names, we met with innovative media companies, such as McClatchy and Digital First, Fisher Communications and pure play online companies like Google and AT&T Interactive.

As we heard about all the promising www.ShawMEDIA.com

programs and success stories implemented here and in Canada, I was reminded that the relationships we have with our readers and advertisers are immensely important.

As new and innovative media platforms develop, such as mobile and tablets, we have a line of willing business partners at our doorstep. Nearly everyone we spoke with believes that there is huge growth potential in Small to Medium Sized Businesses, but none of the national companies can scale their product or initiatives without leveraging relationships with local companies such as ours.

So where is media innovation headed in 2012?

• Local, Mobile and Social • Digital Agency Style Services • Targeted Online Display Advertising • Limited Inventory Display Models • Cross-Industry Technology Partnerships Sound familiar? It should, because you work for a very innovative company. We’ve got a bright future; now let’s go build it.

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 9

IN FOCUS Every person at Shaw Media plays an important part in the success of this corporation. This segment is designed to introduce you to an associate in the company.

It features one of many who makes a difference by striving for excellence.

MEET : Mike Witt

Mike Witt, a Morris Daily Herald employee, shows off some of his jewelry he crafted out of chainmail.

The Lord of the Rings

By Jessica Cohea jcohea@morrisdailyherald.com While watching the special features section of a Lord of the Rings movie in January, something caught the attention of Morris Daily Herald Circulation CSR/District Manager Mike Witt.

He was watching designers make the chain mail armor the actors wore.

"It looked tedious, but cool," Witt said.

So he searched online for instructions on how to make chain mail weaves and found that creating chain 10 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

mail is actually a popular hobby in the crafting world.

He started crafting several years ago, but did drawings, custom coasters and small pieces of jewelry. Then he found out about chain mail and thought he'd give it a shot.

"It reminded me of Legos," Witt said. "It's putting small things together and making something big."

Witt now takes varying sizes of aluminum rings and links them together to create pieces of jewelry. His first piece was a bracelet made with the "European four-in-one" weave.

For now, Witt is concentrating on

the basic weaves, but hopes to work his way to the more complex designs.

He may also be selling his jewelry at local craft shows this summer.

Witt also crafted a few pieces of jewelry to be worn at Kristin Burke's wedding, daughter of MDH Publisher Gerry Burke. He made the bridesmaids' earrings for the big day and a piece Kristin will wear at her rehearsal dinner the day before, Witt said.

To see some of Witt's creations, visit his Etsy account at www.etsy. com/shop/wittykrafts. This "Jack of all arts" also displays some of his other crafts on the site, too. www.ShawMEDIA.com

SAUK VALLEY MEDIA Our mission is to become an indispensable source of information and advertising for our region.

Awards, home show engage readers

By Jenny Young Sauk Valley Media (SVM) recently engaged the community with marketing initiatives – the Reader's Choice Awards and Home and Garden Show.

For the awards, readers voted for the best businesses in categories like dining, recreation and activities. The advertising sales staff then encouraged winning businesses to place an ad to thank voters, said Ed Bushman, general manager of the Telegraph.

The annual promotion successfully involves print and online customers, he said.

“The past 2 years have seen a shift in entries coming in online instead of through the printed ballot we run in the newspapers," he said.

The awards generated about $13,000. They will not likely be replaced with another promotion, according to Jennifer Baratta, advertising director.

“They do generate a good chunk of money for us,” she said. Business owners sometimes thank voters on their signs, which also brands SVM in the community, she added.

The Home and Garden show also was "a big success," according to Bushman. It took place in March at Northland Mall in Sterling, and featured more than 30 home improve-

www.SAUKVALLEY.com

Sauk Valley Media's staff wants to make the community a better place for youth.

Through news coverage and advertising efforts, they are promoting the 40 Developmental Assets Assets movement, which encourages adults to make a difference in the lives of young people.

The assets, according to the Search Institute that developed them, are “common-sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults.”

Reporter Kiran Sood covers the effort to promote Assets their betterment, including the development of a local youth center.

SCHOOL “The idea is to get the community involved in helping young people study, achieve, succeed – basically feel like valuable members of the community,” Sood said.

SVM Advertising Director Jennifer Baratta is a member of a local assets council. In February, she decided to recognize businesses and organizations who are working to make a positive impact on youth.

“I hold it near and dear to my heart because I have four children,” Baratta said.

The council votes on businesses and organizations to feature in a 2-page “Assets Outreach” spread that is published on the last Tuesday of every month.

Baratta has received much positive feedback on the initiative, she said.

The framework of developmental identifies crucial relationships, assets experiences, opportunities, and personal children and adolescents qualities that need healthy, caring, and responsibleto grow up individuals.

Surveys of 6th- to 12-grade sistently show that the more youth conpeople experience, the more assets young likely they are to make positive choices and behaviors. Yet, on average, avoid high-risk experience only 18 of 40 young people assets. Watch for these pages to highlight ASSETS in our community each month!

You can make a differen ce for kids!

“To the world you might

be one person, but to one

person you might be the

Get Involved!

For more Information on upcoming community events or how you can make a difference

world.”

go to www.assetsoutreach.org

Rock Falls and Sterling High School students packed supplies for the Feed The Children Way intiative. It was the beginning program, a Whiteside County of a six week leadership training United for students which was held at the GPA building.

“What are you doing to

help provide our children

Asset #5 “Neighborhood Boundries”

a safe community this summer?”

Watch For The Next Months Asset Outreach Pages Appearing In The Daily Gazette On Tuesday, June 26th!

Building Assets For Future

Generations

DOUG FREED

815-625-4574

102 18 Avenue, Sterling

Dreams Are A Wish Your HEart Makes

Spending Family Time Together - It’s The Little Things That Count.

1408 1 Ave., Rock Falls

101 West 2 Street, Rock Mon.-Thur. 9 - 5 • Fri. 9Falls, IL • 815-625-0129 -7 • Sat. 9 - 4

815-626-0864

Family Owned & Operated

“If you bend um, we’ll mend um

we’ll give it to you STRAIGHT”

You can make a difference for kids!

“To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world.”

In the customer reception area, Moore Tire in Sterling proudly displays the Reader's Choice Awards it has accumulated over the years. SVM readers vote each year for their favorite businesses in the Sauk Valley area. ment vendors – more than last year.

Booth rentals generated $8,200 – 13 percent over budget, Baratta said.

Advertising dollars also increased.

New United Way board member The United Way of Whiteside County Board of Directors recently welcomed Jennifer Baratta as a new board member for a three-year term. Baratta (left) is pictured here with Cindy Conklin, United Way Board President.

Baratta is the advertising director at Sauk Valley Media and had previously served on the board of the United Way of Lee County.

SVM promotes the area's youth

Upcoming June Asset of the month “Youth As Resources” “Sense of Purpose” Watch the Daily Gazette in June

The Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA presented the siasm, 2nd annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration and stage presence. on May 5th.

Commemorating Our panel of volunteer judges looked for Mexico’s victory youth with genuine from France in 1862, the YMCA personality!

The invited the community to the Cinco winners of the event were de Mayo event to Macie Gebhardt Brayden Porter. and Macie and Brayden celebrate and recogreceived a 1-year household nize one of Mexico’s membership to the YMCA ($720 value) and will be historical victories. riding in the Fiesta Parade with the YMCA as the The event featured Little Mr. and Ms. Cinco de Mayo.

Additionally, the a Little Mr. and Ms. celebration included a resource fair with booths for Cinco de Mayo talent local businesses and organizations face painting, competition. arts/crafts, soccer shoot out, bounce houses, and This event was open food vendors. to all girls and boys This event was made in grades K-3. possible by a strong ship between the partnerY and the Sauk Valley Scoring was based Area Chamber of Commerce upon talent, personalHispanic Business Leaders Committee Trabajando ity, creativity, enthuJuntos, CGH Medical Center, and Selmi’s Bridal.

Foster Grandparent

Program and Assets

The Foster Grandparent Program of Western Illinois began at Tri-County Opportunities Council in Rock Falls forty-six years ago in 1966.

Grandparents make The Foster a service commitment to youngsters and are struggling with individuals who learning needs in reading, math, spelling, art, constructive academic and other projects in public and private schools, cares, Head Start classrooms preschool, day and Exceptional Care In 2011, the program Facility in Sterling. accomplished impressive statistics. Ninety-eight parents volunteered a total of 79,568 tutoring/mento grandimpact assessment r hours of service. form” completed by A “child the teachers and site December of 2011 supervisors in showed the accomplishme nts and impact the ment the Foster Grandparents direct involvehad on assisting 180 grade youngsters with kindergarten through fifth their age appropriate reading skills. 171 proved their reading students imabilities and nine children remained the same. ers reported that fi The teachve students improved 100%. Forty-four 80%. Fifty-nine students youngsters improved improved 60%. Thirty-seven sustained and made improved 40% and a difference in the twenty-six students children’s reading improved 20%. The To become a member abilities. guidance of the Foster of the Foster Grandparents Grandparents program participants fifteen to forty hours need to be 55 or older, a week providing one-on-one meet income guidelines director at Tri-County supportive services and be willing to serve to children needing Opportunities Council special attention. Contact at (815) 625-7830 ext. 40.

Sharon King, program

Healthier Communi ties are Growing All Around

“Skoog Landscape and Design was selected Building Business as this month’s Asset of the with the assets communityMonth because of Alan Skoog’s work youth of the community. group and his generosity towards the Earlier in the year, nity meeting, Mr. Skoog donated a season at an assets commuGolf Course to the pass for Emerald Hills Giving program through Sterling Power to Adolescents youth leadership Township. The youth this season pass to program raffled earn Youth Day event. Also, almost $700 towards their upcoming Mr. Skoog has been nearly every of the past assets community active and present at passion for the development meetings, showing his of young people is a great asset to our community, and that and community. He this honor of asset is why he is receiving building business of the month.”

Us

Treat Yourself or Someone

You Love To The Perfect Gift!

100 E. LeFevre Road Sterling, IL 61081

(815) 625-0400 www.cghmc.com

Come See Why We Are Sauk Valley’ s Used Car Headqu arters

Personalized Photo Frames, Magnetic/Wet Erase Boards, and More!

1824 N. Locust Street, Sterling

815.625.2700 www.ste rlingchevy.com

815-625-1999

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 11

SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

SVM staffers attend watchdog journalism training Sauk Valley Media reporters Kiran Sood and Bridget Flynn, and Ogle County Newspapers General Manager Earleen Hinton and reporter Chris Johnson participated in a MidAmerica Press Institute watchdog journalism training session April 26 at the Daily Herald in Arlington Heights.

Sessions were led

by Mark Horvit, executive director of Investigative Reporters and Editors, a professional organization of journalists headquartered at the Missouri School of Journalism.

Horvit gave presentations on online resources for finding information and on key documents to search for while producing stories. Another presentation, Quick-hit investigations, was designed to teach reporters quick questions to ask to spur enterprise stories. There was also a presentation on open records and the using the Freedom of Information Act.

"...our mission has remained the same—fairly and accurately report the news about our citizens, our community, and our businesses.”

— Earleen Hinton, Ogle County Newspapers General Manager

Kiran Sood

The staff of Ogle County Newspapers poses proudly with their Business of the Year award, recently presented by the Oregon Chamber of Commerce at the annual chamber dinner. Standing, from left, Jason Hickman, Chris Johnson, Vinde Wells and Earleen Hinton; seated, Karen Sterenberg.

Bridget Flynn

Earleen Hinton

Chris Johnson

12 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

Ogle County weekly honored as business of the year It's hard to "scoop" the newspaper.

Oregon Chamber of Commerce officials ended up having to tell the staff at the Oregon Republican Reporter in advance that the newspaper was being named Business of the Year at the annual chamber dinner.

The winner of the award is usually kept a secret until it is announced at the dinner. However, the secret had to be divulged ahead of time to make sure newspaper representatives were there to accept the award and to cover the event.

An Oregon business owner nominated the newspaper for the award.

"Their weekly publication of local news, sports, business information, jobs, and events is vital to our community," the letter said. "They are on-call 24/7

and are always there to gather the facts, to keep us informed. Always keeping an open mind, even if who they are reporting about is someone they know."

The newspaper also does an excellent job reporting on local schools and students' accomplishments, the letter said, "acknowledging the positive in times when most news isn't."

“We are delighted to receive the 2012 Business of the Year award,” said general manager Earleen Hinton. “Our newspaper has provided readers with news about their communities since 1851 and while technology has changed dramatically during that 161-year span our mission has remained the same— fairly and accurately report the news about our citizens, our community, and our businesses.” www.SAUKVALLEY.com

SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

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tion of Sa

honor co on a roll: Stat mes to Po ew lo family ide .

Christopher Heimerman, assistant sports editor for Sauk Valley Media, and his wife Kayla are joyful following completion of the Wisconsin Marathon in May. Chris chronicled their training in his blog "The Sole Goal".

Marathon blog

By Christopher Heimerman The Sole Goal accomplished.

It took opening my email the night after my first marathon to fully realize the success of The Sole Goal.

That's the blog that chronicled the training regimen my wife, Kayla, and I underwent in preparing for the Wisconsin Marathon, which was May 5 in Kenosha, Wis. My inbox was chock full of congratulatory emails, many of them also sharing the sender's story or that of someone they knew.

Voila, the sole goal was achieved.

I set out to generate conversation, no matter how it happened.

Frankly, the comments on the blog entries were underwhelming. I've

www.SAUKVALLEY.com

found that the step of creating an account and being verified is a hurdle too high for many.

But social media interaction was steady, as were emails along our journey. In this digital age, it's imperative to embrace those realms. But most of the feedback came in person. Wherever we went, Kayla and I were suddenly "those running people."

The crux was never to teach folks how to run a marathon. It was to get them to do something, whether running a 5K or simply walking a mile every few days, and get them talking about it. With that goal achieved, it's time for another one – accompanied by another blog in order to have a conversation with the readership.

uk Valle

y Media

Ag mag yields bountiful revenue harvest The Northern Illinois AG Mag, published for the first time by Sauk Valley Media earlier this year, shows that sometimes great ideas aren't created as much as they are discovered.

Sometimes, it's almost like the ideas find you.

As many of our traditional customers struggled in the face of the recession, one sector - which we had overlooked - was booming. That sector was agriculture.

Grain prices had soared, yields had grown and land values had exploded, drastically expanding the wealth of farmers and those who cater to their needs.

Someone suggested that we try an agriculture product, which we would be able to print on our recently installed sheetfed press. We decided to give it a shot.

Advertisers practically lined up at our door. It was an easy sell! The agriculture economy was smoking hot, and we were at the right place at the right time. The big challenge wasn't selling the advertising: It was producing a much larger-thanexpected, quality magazine on a tight deadline.

An emergency meeting determined how we could generate enough high-quality local content to fill a 68-page magazine. The end result was a great product, $38,000 in very profitable revenue and a new brand with a big future.

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 13

SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

Director of Digital Marketing offers tips on social media, online advertising

By Kiran Sood Paula Dudley, Shaw Media's director of digital marketing, spoke to a room of business professionals May 10 at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon.

She has been giving her presentation, "Ten Things You Should Know Before You Invest a Dime in Digital Marketing," to all markets the company reaches.

"Social media is networking online – sharing, talking, participating with people online as you would if you went to a network event," she told participants.

Among those attending were Tom Shaw, President and CEO of Shaw Media, and Ben Shaw, Shaw's Chief Digital Officer.

Shaw Media already has a "great unique product suite in place," Ben said.

"Implementing more targeting technologies in all of our markets is really important, both from behavioral targeting to enhancing our suite of mobile and tablet display ad offerings."

Paula's advice "is important to companies because, without custom-

Paula Dudley addresses the audience during her May digital marketing seminar held in Dixon. ers, they're out of business," Tom said after the presentation. "You have to connect with customers, and in today's media world, there's so much fragmentation of options that it's very confusing and the pace of change is almost overwhelming."

Paula's presentation hit on all aspects of Shaw Media's brand promise, Tom said.

"We have this brand promise, which is the core of what we've done from the beginning, and it's providing relevant information, providing marketing solutions and being advocates for our communities," he said.

"What we're talking about here today is, in fact, all of that."

At the hop SVM circulation district sales managers Randy Pineda and Jason Kutz, aka the Easter Bunny, enjoy the balmy spring weather during a subscription sales kiosk at a local Walmart.

15 years 20 years Sports Reporter Brian Weidman (left) is congratulated by Larry Lough, executive editor for Sauk Valley Media, upon reaching his milestone of 20 years with Shaw Media. Brian has reported for the sports department since his first days in 1992 at The Telegraph office in Dixon.

14 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

Jill Reyna (right) celebrates 15 years with Shaw Media alongside SVM Advertising Director Jennifer Baratta. Reyna has held a variety of advertising sales positions during her time at Sauk Valley. Baratta declares Reyna to be "the best sales rep I've ever worked with." www.SAUKVALLEY.com

SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

SVM strengthens online presence

By Jenny Young

Bob Fenwick, retiring press operator at Sauk Valley Media, poses with memorabilia from his 40 years with the company. A full-page ad signed by employees (upper right) ran in the newspaper on his final day of work. SVM hosted a retirement luncheon in his honor.

Stepping into a new phase of life SVM's lead pressman retires after 40 years After 40 years, Sauk Valley Media's lead pressman grew tired of climbing stairs. Laughter erupted when coworkers gave him steps from the press as a retirement gift.

Jokes aside, everyone celebrated Bob Fenwick, 61, at his April 24 luncheon.

He started as a 21-year-old at the Dixon Telegraph in 1972. Over the years, his job included press operations, training, maintenance and repairs.

Tom Shaw, president and CEO, applauded his work ethic.

“He's loyal and dedicated and hardworking and would always do what needed to be done.” www.SAUKVALLEY.com

Jim Dunn, opinion page editor, said Fenwick cared about content and stopped the presses if he noticed an error.

“Bob was sort of our last editor."

Publisher Trevis Mayfield read a 1989 memo about how the press “dodged a bullet” - thanks to Fenwick's quick thinking.

“My understanding is there were a lot of times, over the years, where Bob pulled us out of the fire,” he said.

“It's been a long road,” Fenwick said, “and I hope I've got a few more years of good health to spend more time with my family."

Fenwick now plans to tackle his “honey-do-list” and help a friend farm.

“He'll be missed,” said Ernie Appleyard, production director.

“Definitely missed.”

Sauk Valley Media's online footprint has grown this year.

Facebook likes surpassed 5,000 in March and totaled 5,575 May 30.

Angel Sierra, online editor, noticed a jump in the number of people who saw Facebook content after the Rita Crundwell story broke.

Feds accused the former Dixon comptroller of misappropriating $53 million in city funds. Viewers totaled Angel Sierra 22,178. Before, the average was 9,00014,000.

Sierra created a popular page on saukvalley.com with Crundwell stories, documents and videos.

Pageviews at saukvalley.com doubled – to about 120,000 daily – at the height of the Crundwell coverage.

Video posts have increased. A soldier surprising his daughter generated 229,653 views on YouTube as of May 30. That's more than enough people to fill Wrigley Field's seats five times.

Print lasts a day, Sierra said, but online videos can "generate an infinite amount of views." He posts them at lightning speed.

"In the old days, it would take a few days for news to break. And now, if 10 minutes go by, it's too slow."

Reporters also use Twitter to update readers during trial proceedings.

Online benefits include feedback, tips and an open channel with readers, Sierra said.

"I think we're always improving. ... The day that it becomes good enough is the day that you need to leave the business."

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 15

SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

SVM hosts forum to discuss changing Midwest

By Jenny Young Sauk Valley Media's Editorial Board discovered a challenging book for Midwesterners.

To promote a community discussion, it made “Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism,” by Richard C. Longworth, available for checkout at the Dixon and Sterling offices; and hosted a free symposium with the author in February at Sauk Valley Community College.

More than 200 people attended.

The book by Longworth, a former journalist, addresses the Midwest’s economic problems in a new world economy. Reporter Kiran Sood summarized his message: towns “no longer are competing with one another.

“Instead, they are up against cities in China and India,” he wrote. “To survive, ... boundaries must blur, and they must work together as a region.”

The event included a reception, keynote address, question-and-answer session and panel discussion. Larry Lough, executive editor, moderated.

“We had ... lots of positive response from the community about the event,” he said.

Author and former journalist Richard C. Longworth addresses the audience during a free symposium hosted by Sauk Valley Media in February. The event focused on the Midwest's economic problems in a new world economy.

Sterling Mayor Skip Lee wrote in a letter to the editor, "While the merits and failings of the book can be debated, what was most praiseworthy was the leadership of Sauk Valley Media in promoting that debate.”

SVM's mission is to be a strong community advocate, Trevis Mayfield, publisher, said in the news release.

“We’re always excited to facilitate open discussion about important topics.”

Special publications boost advertising revenue

By Jenny Young Sauk Valley Media recently launched profitable new and improved publications.

River City Living, a magazine featuring content for residents of Fulton and Clinton, Iowa, launched in May. It generated more than $14,000, according to Jennifer Baratta, advertising director.

“The Living magazines have been our most popular niche magazine line ...,” she said, “so every year we look to communities or areas within our footprint that we can launch them in.”

Ovation, a magazine featuring profiles on everyday community heroes, came out in March. This year, it was all glossy and generated $28,000.

16 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

“It's a good seller every year to the advertisers because it's 100 percent local,” Baratta said. “Every story ... is a feel-good story about someone who's giving

back to the community in some way, shape or form.”

“Celebrating Seniors,” a new spread featuring photos of people 80 and older and their words of wisdom, came out in April. It generated less than $4,000, Baratta said, but "everybody loved it.”

Dixon 180, an insert to celebrate the city's 180th birthday, came out in February and generated $7,000.

Voyager, a publication on tourism and happenings, came out in May. It now features a list of tourist attractions and year-long event listings. It generated about $37,500. www.SAUKVALLEY.com

SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

Donna McDonald can't believe the response by SVM readers to her Puzzle Mania concept. She presented the new promotion idea to the advertising department, and the rest was – REVENUE!

SVM puzzle contest attracts advertisers, readers

By Jenny Young A new idea helped Sauk Valley Media's advertising department make its first quarterly goal.

Donna McDonald, advertising operations manager, imagined a promotion that would generate revenue and encourage reader interactions.

Puzzle Mania launched January through February.

The contest attracted 63 advertisers; generated $28,000 – double the revenue of last year's promotion; www.SAUKVALLEY.com

and compelled readers to submit likely more than 1,600 entries.

Jennifer Baratta, advertising director, was pleased.

"The advertisers loved it. The readers loved it. And I loved it," she said.

SVM sold quarter-page ads to appear next to puzzle pieces. This drew attention to the ads. A different piece ran in each day's paper. There were eight puzzles over 8 weeks.

Readers put pieces together and submitted their puzzles for a chance

to win a $100 gift certificate each week to spend at the advertiser of their choice.

"It was crazy how many entries we got," McDonald said. "... It was fun to do."

Baratta appreciated McDonald's creativity and leadership.

"Promotions that are at one time successful, sometimes will run their course," she said, "and so it's really important to our business to always be thinking about new ideas and be able to execute those new ideas."

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 17

SUBURBAN GROUP Northwest Herald • Kane County Chronicle • Daily Chronicle The MidWeek • Valley Free Press • Lake County Journal Business Journal • Great Lakes Bulletin • Morris Daily Herald

May 2012

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Lucas Urbanski, 12, spells "carafe" in the 11th round of the McHenry County Spelling Bee sponsored by the Northwest Herald in March. Lucas went on to win the bee in the 29th round.

Bee there or be square Congratulations to Lucas Urbanski, 12, of Crystal Lake, who represented McHenry County well recently at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. The Northwest Herald sent Urbanski to Washington after he won the county bee – for the second straight year – in March. Urbanski, a sixthgrader at Immanuel Lutheran School, finished tied for 51st place

In the Land of Kane

out of 278 spellers who qualified for the national bee, and just one spot out of the semifinals. As in years past, the county bee was webcast live to an audience of more than 100. Senior editor Dan McCaleb emceed the event. Joan Oliver offered her experienced services as head judge, and the event was coordinated by Brent Maring and Jodi Cook.

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The May covers of Lake, McHenry and Kane County magazines.

Biggest is best!

The cover of the first edition of the Kaneland edition of the Kane County Chronicle.

All three Shaw Media Niche Publications had banner May “Women In Business” editions! Lake County, Kane County and McHenry County magazines were each the largest in page-count they have ever been. LCM came in at 64 pages, KCM was big at 80 and MCM weighed in heavy at 120 pages — enough to go perfect-bound for the first time in its 3-year history.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone from the sales reps, editors and designers for a job well done!

18 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

www.NWHERALD.com • www.KCCHRONICLE.com • www.DAILY-CHRONICLE.com

The Kane County Chronicle launched its new Kaneland edition recently. This weekly edition serves Elburn, Sugar Grove, and Maple Park and gives the ad staff an opportunity to offer clients a very local audience. The first month was a success generating nearly $4,000 in new revenue!

SUBURBAN GROUP

Branching out with new Niche Publications

Members of the DeKalb Daily Chronicle sales team man a colorful and fun booth at the Community Expo hosted by the DeKalb and Sycamore Chambers of Commerce. Pictured from left Rob Dancey, Dustin Davis and Bill Braksick.

Behind the balloons is Mike Mueller from circulation.

SOUTHERN EXPO-SURE The DeKalb and Sycamore Chambers of Commerce joined together to host a Community Expo at the new DeKalb High School Field House recently. The booth was manned by Bill Braksick, Dustin Davis, Karen Pletsch, Rob Dancey and Bill Braksick from the sales department and Mike Mueller from circulation. Daily the Dog, the DeKalb Daily Chronicle's mascot, spent time visiting with the kids and posing for photos. Attendees had the opportunity to win water bottles, T-shirts and Easter baskets and balloons were given away to the kids (a couple of the Daily Chronicle sales reps had a little too much fun filling the balloons with helium). One of the basket winners signed up for 10-week delivery of the Daily Chronicle after receiving their prize.

Daily the Dog (Matt Angel, son of Lisa Angel), DeKalb Daily Chronicle's mascot, poses with an attendee at the Community Expo at the new DeKalb High School Field House.

ForeFronts Breakfast/Awards The annual Lake County Journal ForeFronts Breakfast/ Awards Ceremony was a huge success again in Lake County! The 10 most influential people in Lake County were introduced and winners publicly praised Cassy Dowell, reporter for Lake County Journal for her contributions to ForeFronts.

In June, The Daily Chronicle branched out with two new publications. One was an e-edition and the second was a direct mail magazine.

DC Business Connections is a new quarterly business e-publication. The publication featured articles written by local community leaders with pertinent information to the business community. The Daily Chronicle partnered with local chambers of commerce as well as the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation to e-blast the publication to their members. It was also e-blast to the DC subscriber database for a total distribution of over 6,000 email addresses. The Daily Chronicle looks to grow both in email addresses and contributor content for next publication slated for September.

A direct mail publication, DeKalb County Ag Mag premiered in late June. Partnering with the DeKalb County Farm Bureau who is celebrating 100 Years and obtaining the USDA mailing list, Ag Mag was distributed to farmers in DeKalb and Ogle Counties. 65% of the advertising in the magazine was non-advertisers.

2013 plans will include early March and November publications.

8 ON THE WEB For more, check out the Shaw Reporter on Page Suite.

Cassy Dowell

www.NWHERALD.com • www.KCCHRONICLE.com • www.DAILY-CHRONICLE.com

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 19

SUBURBAN GROUP

Covered Scott Helmchen, Northwest Herald Features Editor, designed these eyecatching covers for recent editions of Screen and Slice.

Herald Photo by Lisa Pesavento

Parker and Johnny Berry's elves, named "Elf 1" and "Elf 2", were featured in a video that won Lisa Pesavento, the Morris Daily Herald's visual content coordinator, a Best Web Project award from the Illinois Press Association.

22 reasons to be proud of the MDH

By Mark Malone MDH Online Editor Every person deserves an opportunity to take pride in their work.

In a profession that delivers its work to thousands every day, journalists are often subject to a significant amount of criticism — some of it deserved — from many different angles. So, when staff members from the Morris Daily Herald (MDH) earn recognition, we feel it important to salute their success.

We don't consider this boasting, especially when we foster an environment in the MDH newsroom that encourages constant improvement.

In fact, achievements like the ones learned of at the end of April only validate the quality efforts our staff members are making on a daily basis.

It reflects their growth, their talent and their abilities as journalists.

Why shouldn't we be proud of that?

In June, the Illinois Press Association recognized several members of the Morris Daily Herald staff for their award-winning work. In all, the MDH collected 22 awards in an assortment of categories against newspapers of similar size. The list highlights a year of hard work and dedication, and it hasn't gone unnoticed.

Congrats, Morris Daily Herald!

Eating it up!

The Kane County Chronicle published its second annual Dining Guide, bringing in nearly $12,000! Congratulations to the sales staff and a special shout out to Megan Hampton, Jen Winder and Kathy Gresey for all their help in making this a success!

The cover of the second annual Dining Guide published by Kane County Chronicle.

20 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

www.biz-journal.com • www.VFPNEWS.com

SUBURBAN GROUP

Throngs of bargain hunters gathered at the 4th Annual McHenry County Garage and Indoor Sidewalk Sale sponsored by the Northwest Herald.

Bargain hunters unite Northwest Herald had a great day for its 4th Annual McHenry County Garage and Indoor Sidewalk Sale in late March. A steady stream of traffic began to arrive just a little before the sale officially opened at 8 am. There were 60 booths reserved including Steffan’s Jewelers, the event sponsor. Other booth sponsors were Echelon computers, Inc., Chiro One and Kiera Confections. The Salvation Army truck was on site to receive donations at the close of the sale for the convenience of booth vendors. Staff at the Huntley Park District REC Center North Gym were very helpful and on hand to open the facility just after 5 am. Booth setup went smoothly thanks to the morning volunteers (John Kranz and Cheryl Kranz, Autumn Siegmeier and Mike Harvel) who handed out floor squares to protect the gym floor and helped vendors find their spaces.

Thanks also go to Dave Spindler, Kara Hansen, Sue Jones and Christy Matuszeski for volunteering to manage the Northwest Herald booth during the event and Autumn Siegmeier and Shelly Bissell for their assistance in cleaning up the gym floor and packing up the NWH booth.

L to R: John Rung, Chief Operating Officer/Shaw Suburban Media and Publisher/Northwest Herald, Chris Plazak, Director of Sales and Marketing and Dale McFarland, General Manager of KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark.

A really big deal In April, a special Big Deal with Key Lime Cove grossed $179,557 for Shaw Media. By May, Planit had generated over $1,000,000 of revenue since launching in late 2009.

Key Lime Cove agreed to do a Big Deal on all Shaw sites, community and suburban group, to run for one week.

They had two offers, one a SundayFriday deal for $99.95 and the other a Saturday night stay for $129.95.

The deal was teased in ads prior to the sale starting, and on the day the deal launched was promoted with a fullpage ad in all suburban papers featuring the publisher from each suburban market with the client, and in smaller print ads in the community papers. The

8 ON THE WEB For more, check out the Shaw Reporter on Page Suite.

suburban papers also had an eblast, a pencil pushdown and a marketing box that ran on the websites. The deal was promoted on the weekend in ads in all papers and a final push went the last few days with more ads.

In the end, 1,653 vouchers were sold.

Of that total 1,175 were $99.95 and 478 were $129.95. The $179,557.35 was our biggest revenue producing E-Commerce sale yet.

Innovator of the Year Northwest Herald Senior Web Producer Adam Nekola was named Illinois’ Innovator of the Year by the Illinois Associated Press Editors Association. Nekola, competing against journalists from the state’s largest newspapers, won Innovator of the Year for his development of NWHerald. com’s Election Central page. Election Central warehouses political candidates’ responses to questionnaires, videos of candidates’ meetings with the

www.MIDWEEKNEWS.com • www.LAKECOUNTYJOURNAL.com

newspaper’s Editorial Board, and other content that prepares readers for upcoming elections. On election night, the page converts to a results database and interactive site, where readers can chat with editors as results come in.

Adam Nekola

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 21

SUBURBAN GROUP

A writer gained, a writer lost

By Mark Malone MDH Online Editor

The Suburban Group advertising department basks in the warm rays of success at the recent All Hands Meeting held at Elgin Community College.

Our Future’s So Bright… …We Gotta Wear Shades Shaw Media Suburban Group recently held an all hands meeting for our advertising department. The morning get-together featured leadership who discussed our challenges, or successes, and the top initiatives we are focused on for the year.

In spite of a challenging era in our industry, the group has succeeded in growing revenue and introducing innovative marketing solutions for our partners. Planit has generated over $1,000,000 in revenue since launching in late 2009. Video Production has billed over $400,000.

Through June, advertising revenue, including digital and non news, is up 8%. May was one of the biggest advertising revenue months in years.

Digital revenue is up 39%, and our

rates for digital display ads are up on average 30%.

We celebrated our successes.

Each account executive who met or exceeded budget was named during the meeting, in addition to each individual who achieved digital budget, sold the most new accounts, or achieved their goal for the first quarter Planit blitz.

In Jim Collins’ recent “Great By Choice” he stated, “When a calamitous event clobbers an industry or the overall economy, companies fall into one of three categories: those that pull ahead, those that fall behind, and those that die.

The disruption itself does not determine your category. You do.”

Shaw Media is pulling ahead.

Just the Fas-Fax Ma'am Weekend readership is growing! Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) released the 6-month Fas-Fax report recently and Shaw Media's three ABC-audited dailies showed year-over-year growth on Sunday/Weekend editions. Northwest Herald was up 1.34 percent, DeKalb Daily Chronicle was up 2.08 percent, and Kane County Chronicle was up a whopping 15.22 percent! Readers still enjoy relaxing with the big weekend paper, which is good news for us!

22 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

In recent weeks, the Morris Daily Herald's newsroom gained a news reporter, but lost a sports writer.

The MDH welcomed staff writer Jessica Shumaker on April 9.

Shumaker, a 2009 Olivet Nazarene University graduate, is focusing her efforts primarily on covering the local police, fire and court beats. She, however, is also covering the school and village boards in Coal City, not to mention picking up various features from time to time.

Jessica Shumaker Shumaker comes to the MDH from The Villages Daily Sun in The Villages, Fla., where she worked as public safety reporter.

Prior to that, she was the executive editor for ONU's student newspaper, the Glimmer Glass.

Steve Nitz The MDH said farewell to sports writer Steve Nitz, who is now the DeKalb Daily Chronicle's beat writer for Northern Illinois University athletics.

Nitz, whose work at the MDH was primarily focused on area prep athletics, contributed significantly to our writing, multimedia and social media initiatives. He covered NIU's spring football game on April 21 during his first assignment with the Daily Chronicle.

Nitz was a contributing writer for the Daily Chronicle from 2009-11 before joining the MDH sports staff.

He, in fact, covered NIU's football team during the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

www.NWHERALD.com • www.KCCHRONICLE.com • www.DAILY-CHRONICLE.com

SUBURBAN GROUP

Celebrating the summer baseball season at the Daily Chronicle, Kandi Tomisek cooks up a batch of hot dogs for the staff.

Take me out to the ballgame Yes, even a Sox fan (Don Bricker, at right) and a Cubs fan (Shawn Lowe) can get along when it comes to enjoying a hot dog and chips.

Swing time Rory Conroy, 7, and Nate Pedersen, 10, both of Geneva, swing at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles.

"I took this photo during the warm spell in March. I love the blue sky and the way the two friends are reaching out for each other."

Sandy Bressner, Kane County Chronicle

Locked Up Karen Pletsch, advertising director at the Daily Chronicle and Publisher of the Shaw Media Reporter, was recently locked up "For Good" to benefit the MDA. MDA is non-profit health organization aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that effect more than a million Americans. Bail for Karen was set at $800 and thanks to several generous donors, she managed to raise $850 to post bond and help out a great charity. www.MORRISDAILYHERALD.com

Critter Hunt Hannah Beardsley Middle School biology teacher Carol Sevrey trudges through a stream hoping to loosen up any critters hiding in the waterbed Tuesday, May 8, 2012 in Crystal Lake.

For this photo I was calf-deep in the stream in order to give a feel for what event participants felt and saw while trudging through the water.

Mike Greene, Northwest Herald Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 23

SUBURBAN GROUP

Making a Splash Braden, 14 months, plays with water with his mom, Kaneland pitcher Delani Vest, outside their Elburn home Sunday.

This photo was part of a story I did about Delani Vest, a high school senior and standout softball player who had a baby during her junior year of high school.

Sandy Bressner, Kane County Chronicle

Hard Knock Life McHenry residents Sam Rosga and Katlyn Ryczek, both 9, work preparing their shelter for the night at SleepOut for Shelter Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Immanuel Lutheran School and Church in Crystal Lake.

I enjoy this photo because it provides the viewpoint of what it would be like to try building a shelter as a child. Their expressions show the difficulty they faced.

Mike Greene, Northwest Herald

24 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

Mother's Day Patty MacNally, of Lake in the Hills, helps her granddaughter Ella, 1, down a climbing wall as Ella's mother, Sarah Schmidt, of Island Lake watches with her daughter Sophia, 2 months, Sunday, May 13, 2012 at Veteran Acres Park in Crystal Lake.

I like this shot a lot because I feel it is a great representation of the heart of Mother's Day. The photo shows three generations of a family enjoying the beautiful weather on the day and sharing it together.

Mike Greene, Northwest Herald

www.MORRISDAILYHERALD.com

BUREAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN Our mission is to provide information (news and advertising) that meets the needs of, and represents value to, our readers and advertisers in Bureau County and surrounding communities. In so doing we must be profitable and provide a secure and rewarding environment for our employees.

Jenna Elise BCR Graphic Designer Jodie Seibert and her husband, Eric, welcomed their first child, daughter Jenna Elise, on April 10. Jodie and Jenna are pictured during a visit to the BCR. Panelists (from left) James Banovetz via Skype, Jerry Neumann and Doug Williams discuss the pros and cons of home rule.

150 attend home rule forum PRINCETON — The self-governing powers of home rule versus the potential abuse of home rule were on the front burner when the Bureau County Republican hosted a community home rule forum in March.

The event was attended by 150 people. Panelists were James Banovetz, emeritus professor and director of Northern Illinois University's graduate program in public administration; Doug

Williams, who has 36 years experience as a city manager in home rule communities; and Jerry Neumann, Princeton resident who has been an active researcher and leader in the Princeton Residents for Self-Reliance pro-home rule group.

All three of the panelists were given time for opening statements. These were followed by about 45 minutes of questions from the audience.

Facebook contests The Bureau County Republican (BCR) kicked off some Facebook contests. This is an opportunity to grow our email database, gain Facebook fans and increase exposure. It is also an excellent way to build a lead list of potential customers on which to call.

Through the BCR, local merchants are able to offer exciting prizes while gaining Facebook fans.

Through the program, one customer nearly tripled their Facebook likes in 1 1/2 weeks. www.BCRNEWS.com

Pictured BCR Publisher Sam Fisher (left) and Kevin Hieronymus.

Brand Promise Champion Every day we come across people that make our job a little easier, our load a little lighter, and our outlook a little sunnier. They walk the walk; they talk the talk.

The Bureau County Republican recognizes employees who demonstrate the Brand Promise criteria, which is an employee who: provides relevant information; aggressively sells marketing solutions; is an aggressive community advocate.

Kevin Hieronymus, BCR Sports Editor, is a recent Brand Promise Champion. His name is engraved on a plaque which is located in the office lobby. He also received the traveling trophy to display in his work area and a special parking spot for the month.

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 25

BUREAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN

Sue Krolak of Spring Valley showed off her NASCAR knowledge in a weekly national winner in the Checkerd Flag Challenge.

Krolak races ahead of 33,104 contestants

Carrier of the Year Tom Long (right), Bureau County Republican district manager, presents a plaque to Chris Irlbeck after he was named BCR Carrier of the Year at the annual Elks Youth Banquet on May 3 at the Princeton Elks Lodge. Absent from the photo was Shannon Geary, who was also named a BCR Carrier of the Year. Also pictured is Larry Lucas from the Elks Lodge.

Celebrating Nothing PRINCETON — Bureau County Republican Design/ Graphic Editor Greg Wallace has accomplished a life-long goal to become a syndicated cartoonist.

After a 10-week "So Ya Wanna Be A Cartoonist" contest, Wallace learned he was the contest winner, beating out 136 other cartoonists. The contest, which had weekly eliminations, was based on public votes as well as a panel of judges — professional cartoonists with Universal Uclick, an independent press syndicate.

Wallace submitted 10 cartoons for the competition, which was sponsored by

The Bureau County Republican kicked off its first Checkered Flag Challenge and the local winner for the first week was also the national winner for that week.

Sue Krolak of Spring Valley beat out 33,104 other participants nationwide to win. It was her first time to enter one of the BCR's online contests.

In the Checkered Flag Challenge, participants pick the 10 drivers they think will finish first through 10th for each week's featured NASCAR race.

The Cartoonist Studio. As the winner, his cartoons will be pushed at the Universal Uclick syndicate website. He also won an e-book publishing contract.

Wallace creates his cartoons under the title "Nothing is Not Something."

The inspiration for his title came from his son Zack, about 16 years ago when Zack was about 3 years old, Wallace said.

Remembering back to that day, Wallace said Zack had been put to bed but had sneaked out of bed so he could play. When Wallace asked his son what he was doing, Zack said "nothing."

When Wallace asked his son to explain what "nothing" meant, Zack said "Nothing is not something." The cleverness and truth of his son's statement was something

26 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

Points are awarded on how each driver finishes in a race. First place is worth 150, second place is worth 125 and so on through 43rd place, and bonus points are awarded for every driver that comes in the exact order they were picked to finish.

In addition to the Checkered Flag Challenge, the BCR has also held a pro football contest, college bowl contest, college basketball contest, a pet calendar contest, a tattoo contest and a bridal sweepstakes, and is currently running a pro golf contest.

Wallace just couldn't forget.

And ever since that day, Wallace has used "Nothing is Not Something" as the title for his cartoons. And yes, Zack does take credit for some of his dad's inspiration, Wallace added.

When asked to describe his style of cartoons, Wallace said he likes to take something and turn it upside down and backwards, to look at life and people differently. With his cartoons, he can make his own rules, give people big feet and big noses, and make the world just as entertaining as he can imagine.

Wallace's winning cartoons will be seen on the GoComics.com website.

Wallace, who lives in Walnut, has been with Shaw Media for more than 18 years.

BCR Design/Graphic Editor Greg Wallace was presented a cake after he learned he was the winner of "So Ya Wanna Be A Cartoonist" contest. He beat out 136 other contestants. www.BCRNEWS.com

CRESTON PUBLISHING CO. Creston Publishing Company is a company engaged in producing and distributing quality community newspaper and shopper publications. Our products are designed to inform, enlighten and entertain our readers, meet the changing needs of our advertisers and promote the interests of the communities we serve.

There's always room for pie Mary Jo Borcherding, CNA advertising representative, second from the right, judges pies during a contest held May 17 at Creston Nursing and Rehab as part of nursing home week.

Mary Jo didn't eat lunch that day in anticipation of tasting nine pies.

CNA photo by Shawna Creveling

Creston News Advertiser Relay for Life committee members include, from left, Teresa Pendegraft, Carol Wallace, Dawn Drake, Rose Henry, Mary Jo Borcherding and Lori Fletcher.

Fishing for a cure The Creston News Advertiser Relay for Life committee is helping raise money for the American Cancer Society. Their theme for this year's relay is "fishing for a cure."

"The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of southwest Iowa is an event that is very near and dear to many of the employees at the Creston News Advertiser," said Relay for Life committee Chairperson Teresa Pendegraft. "It seems that it is hard to find someone whose life hasn't been touched by cancer. So, we want to do our part in making the relay a success."

The committee held an auction at the Creston News Advertiser for employees.

Items up for auction included food, plants, perfume and wall art. The auction raised $248 that will go to the American Cancer Society.

On June 1, the committee placed a "coins for cancer" jar in the building, and employees were invited to put their loose change into it. The committee also sold luminaries to the public for them to decorate in memory, honor or support of someone who has dealt with cancer.

The biggest contribution is the Relay for Life tab, which is inserted into the Creston News Advertiser. All of the profits from the tab will be donated to Relay for Life.

The Other Graduate

CNA photo by Stephani Finley

The Graduate Courtney Dake, CNA newsroom assistant, accepted her diploma from Union County Economic Development Director Wayne Pantini during the May 9 graduation ceremony of the High Lakes Leadership Initiative. www.CRESTONNEWS.com • www.OSCEOLAIOWA.com

CNA photo by Amy Hansen

Jennifer Nelson, Osceola SentinelTribune news editor, receives a certificate of completion June 7 from Bill Trickey, executive director of Clarke County Development Corporation, during graduation ceremonies for Clarke County Leadership Academy.

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 27

CRESTON PUBLISHING CO.

Kevin Drake and Dorine Peterson.

Safety pays CNA safety committee members Dorine Peterson and Laurie Claytor both won $50 in the drawing for Shaw Media employees who serve on their company's safety committee. Kevin Drake, CNA safety committee chairman presented the checks and certificates.

Turf tumble Creston's Conner Pals (front) is tackled from behind by Carroll Kuemper's Tanner Rupiper during the boys soccer match at Creston High School.

CNA photo by Larry Peterson

Laurie Claytor and Kevin Drake.

CNA photo by Kyle Wilson

The spoils of victory Super Moon The moon shines bright May 5th night over Creston. The full moon was the biggest full moon of 2012, which scientists nicknamed the "super moon." The moon appeared its biggest and brightest at about 10:34 p.m.

CNA photo by Scott Vicker 28 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

CNA Sports Editor Scott Vicker is pleased with the trophy he won for his breakfast casserole on Feb. 29 at the Leap Day contest held between employees. Vicker defended the traveling trophy with a Mexican casserole during another contest held May 4 for Cinco De Mayo.

www.CRESTONNEWS.com • www.OSCEOLAIOWA.com

CRESTON PUBLISHING CO.

S'mores Darlene Tussey and Betty Kinne roast marshmallows for s'mores on the deck outside of Creston Nursing and Rehabilitation in honor of National Nursing Home Week, May 14-18. After s'mores, residents played games outside.

CNA photo by Shawna Creveling

Farmers market opens Customer Jody Newcomb (striped shirt) of Creston shares a laugh with Janice Warren, left, and Angela Coke of Savta's Greenhouse as she browses through some herb plants during opening day at Creston's Farmers Market June 4. A large crowd enjoyed sunny weather for the market.

CNA photo by Jennifer Nelson

www.CRESTONNEWS.com • www.OSCEOLAIOWA.com

Scare tactic Eight-year-old David Kinkade, back, attempts to scare his younger brother Isaac during a game of one-on-one basketball May 23 at McKinley Park. The brothers, from Kansas City, Mo, were in Creston visiting their grandmothers Carol McKee and Carol Brentnall. David celebrated his 9th birthday during his stay.

CNA photo by Kyle Wilson Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 29

CRESTON PUBLISHING CO.

Celebratory hug Creston head track coach Pat Schlapia embraces senior Luke Powell Thursday after Powell qualified for the State Coed Track and Field Meet in the 4x800 relay. It was the first time Powell has qualified for a state meet. The last Creston 4x800 relay team to qualify for the state meet was the 1981 team that included Powell's father, Jon. CNA photo by Scott Vicker

State champion

Let's ride

Creston senior Audrey Bolinger (right) is greeted by teammates and television cameras after winning the Class 3A 400 meter hurdles May 18 at the Coed State Track Meet at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

CNA photo by Scott Vicker

Cousins Emily Eggert, 12, and Kory Eggert, 13, ride a vintage tandem bike down Oak Street in Creston on a sunny May 22 afternoon. Both were visiting their grandmother over the weekend, and spending time together before Kory departed for Tacoma, Wash., for summer vacation.

CNA photo by Kyle Wilson

30 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

www.CRESTONNEWS.com • www.OSCEOLAIOWA.com

NEWS PRINTING COMPANY The News Printing Company is a communication/printing company which publishes and distributes newspapers and shoppers, operates a commercial printing department with both phases of the operation committed to excellence and designed to fully meet the needs of readers, advertisers and commercial accounts.

News Printing NDN shows local high school Company launches students the biz at Newton Living' Senior High School career fair 'Newton magazine

By Mike Mendenhall NDN Staff Writer

Newspapers have a lot more to offer than writing. That was the message the Newton Daily News (NDN) staff gave to high school students as they presented the wide variety of career opportunities at Newton Senior High School's annual career fair March 29.

The NDN set up a booth led by Advertising Director Jeff Holschuh, displaying the paper's print, mobile and tablet editions. News Printing Company employees took shifts and explained aspects of a media organization and the duties of advertisers reporters, designers and printing men and women.

"The entire objective of the career fair was to give high school students the opportunity to learn more about our business.," Holschuh said. "It gave them the opportunity to see that there is more to newspapers than just reporters and show them several different career opportunities in the newspaper business."

The NDN crew was one of 65 Jasper County businesses to host a booth, representing over 100 differ-

April 25 saw the launch of the News Printing Company's first full-color glossy, direct mail magazine "Newton Living." Printed at Sauk Valley Media, the bi-annual publication was filled with original content profiling Newton people, featuring commuNewton nity history living and exploring the city's culture with a reach beyond the standard Newton Daily News readership.

"It was designed to reach a diverse audience and give content not normally seen in the Newton Daily News or other News Printing Company Niche Pubs," said Jeff Holschuh, NDN advertising director.

The magazine showcased, among other features, the motorcycle subculture within Jasper County, the Iowa Speedway and the history of an inventor that made the Maytag Corp. possible. Designed by Niche Publications Editor and NDN Staff Writer Amy Gronauer, "Newton Living" gave the staff the freedom of color to explore the culture of their community.

"Newton Living was the first of its kind for the Newton Daily News in that it was the first all color, all glossy magazine for us," she said. "As a designer, that's exciting because colors are obviously more visually appealing and can really add a lot to a story. I was thrilled when I found out I'd be able to help produce a publication that actually is the real deal — a professionally published magazine with local flair."

1Front

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

PA I D Permit No. 371 Newton, IA 50208

****************EC RWSS**** Local

Postal Customer

Mike Hockett NDN Sports Writer, Jeff Holschuh NDN Advertising Director work the table at Newton Senior High School's annual caree fair. ent careers. The staff visited with over 200 students from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Career fair organizer and retired NHS teacher Randy Mills said the event is meant to help students learn what skills they need from school to achieve future career goals.

“The main thing we want to do is expose them (students) to what’s out there,” he said during the final hour of the day-long fair . “Maybe they’ll find out they need to take more English classes in high school, or they’ll find out ‘If I want to do this, I’ll have to get this type of degree.’”

Judy retires Employees of the News Printing Company said goodbye to graphic artist Judy Stevenson during a retirement party April 26. Stevenson started working for the Penny Saver more than 15 years ago, and designed ads for the Jasper County Advertiser and the Newton Daily News. Her last full day was April 27, although she continued to serve part-time on Advertiser ads until her full retirement on May 25. www.NEWTONDAILYNEWS.com • www.JASPERCOUNTYADVERTISER.com

Inside this issue

...

• Centre for Arts and Artists plans • Howard Snyder additions and • The Iowa Speedwcredited as man who helped renovations, p. 10 Maytag succeed ay growing by , p. 14 leaps and bounds , p. 24

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 31

PEOPLE OF SHAW MEDIA

15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Dawn Rooney Newspaper: Suburban Group, Crystal Lake Years of Service: 15 Years in the newspaper business: 16 Position: Distribution Manager Job description: Managing 120 carriers and 6 employees. I contract carriers that will provide great delivery service to all the customers of the Northwest Herald.

What I like best about my job: I like that we deliver when no one else is out and not having Dawn Rooney to deal with traffic. It is very peaceful at night.

Family: I have a great husband and two daughters in high school.

Hobbies/Interests: I love taking long walks and being with my kids as much as possible.

Fun fact: I really love watching both my girls play soccer and I love watching comedies.

5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Tara Becker Newspaper: Sauk Valley Media Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Reporter Job description: Covers courts and cops in Lee and Whiteside Counties.

What I like best about my job: Interacting with people and having the opportunity to tell their story.

Family: Parents, Joe and Marcy Becker, of PeoTara Becker ria; brother Zach, his wife, Savannah, and their son, Tristan, all of Augusta, Ga. Hobbies/Interests: Reading and watching movies.

Fun fact: I've lived in three different countries: The U.S., Germany, and the Netherlands.

5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Diana Hosler Newspaper: Sauk Valley Media Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Customer Service in Circulation Dept.

Job description: Taking care of customer needs: missed papers or vacation stops, inputting new customers, run bundle tops for our daily papers.

What I like best about my job: Never a boring day.

Diana Hosler Family: Husband, Mike, married 40 years in November; daughter, Tammera (mother of two and one grandchild); Son Jason, with wife, Karen, and three kids; and our Dog, Zain.

Hobbies/Interests: Sewing and Embroidery.

Fun fact: Like traveling to see other states in the USA.

32 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Carol Schmidt Newspaper: Northwest Herald Years of Service: 20 Years in the newspaper business: 25 Position: Senior Advertising Account Executive Job description: What once was an easy answer of saying “I sell advertising for the Northwest Herald” has evolved over the past 10 years to now being a full service Marketing and Media Sales Rep. I still sell print ad space, but now that includes selling into all of our other publications, Carol Schmidt including our niche products, and even that has expanded! When my friends and family ask what I do here, my response in a nutshell is this: “Everything from prospecting, cold calling, creating proposals and designing effective marketing solutions for small, medium and large businesses who want to create market awareness in the Northern Illinois area. This includes print, digital and specialty products such as magazines, post-it notes, flyers and video production”. It makes me sound important!

What I like best about my job: When a customer tells me the ad worked and they got response. Also, when a customer tells me they truly appreciate all the time I spent with them developing a great ad campaign. But mostly, I have the best group of people to work with! My Graphic Designers are more than just talented people; they truly care about how the ads look and want the best response for my customers.

Family: More than I can keep track of, but most importantly my two Labrador Retrievers, Buddy and Cody, who love to go on boat rides with us and swimming in the lake!

Hobbies/Interests: LOVE watching sports (except hockey which is truly boring). Lifelong Cubs fan and Bears fan. I am addicted to perennial gardening and vegetable gardening (enjoy going out to the garden to snip fresh herbs for cooking), also very passionate about genealogy. My favorite past-time though is boating and fishing. A few of my relatives have even talked about going in together and buying a summer cottage in Wisconsin someday.

Fun fact: Tracing my Irish roots has been an obsession of mine for over 20 years, and along with my Mother, we wrote and published a 200 page book about our family we traced back seven generations. I am currently working on getting my board certification as a National Certified Genealogist.

15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Dean Wallace Newspaper: Creston Publishing Company Years of Service: 15 Years in the newspaper business: 15 Position: Mailroom inserter.

Job description: Inserting, counting and bundling papers .

What I like best about my job: Working with the public.

Family: Married to Betty with four grown children, 10 grandchildren and three greatDean Wallace grandchildren.

Hobbies/Interests: Cubs baseball, Bears football, traveling and following grandchildren's activities.

Fun fact: Started my 'work' life by working at Family Shoe Store.

www.ShawMEDIA.com

PEOPLE OF SHAW MEDIA

15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Donna Barker Newspaper: Bureau County Republican Years of Service: 15 Years in the newspaper business: 20 Position: Senior Staff Writer Job description: I cover several regular beats, including the Bureau County Board, Princeton City Council, Princeton Elementary School Board, the Princeton High School Board, and Princeton Park Board. I also write feature stories, take photos and cover other stories Donna Barker assigned to me.

What I like best about my job: I like learning and I like people. I like giving people a reason to read the Bureau County Republican.

Family: Husband Ralph, three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, four granddaughters.

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Mark Johnson Newspaper: Morris Daily Herald Years of Service: 10 Years in the Newspaper Business: 10 Position: Page Designer and Sports Writer Job Description: Mostly I lay out pages, though I also write sports stories and columns and do other things around the newsroom as time allows.

What I Like Best About My Job: The feedback, positive and negative, from readers — it's easy Mark Johnson to find reminders that they care.

Family: Wife, Amber; dog, Mimi; unborn child to be named later.

Hobbies/Interests: Watching and playing sports, reading, spending time with friends & family.

Fun Fact: I was there for Carlos Zambrano's no-hitter and for the first start of Rex Grossman's illustrious Bears career.

20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Rita Roberts Newspaper: Bureau County Republican Years of Service: 20 Years in the newspaper business: 20 Position: Associate Editor Job description: A little of everything ... typing, laying out pages, updating our websites.

What I like best about my job: Both the people I work with and the customers I'm able to assist each day.

Family: Three children, Scott, Nicholas and Rita Roberts Kayla.

Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family and friends, reading, campfires and Kansas Jayhawk basketball.

www.ShawMEDIA.com

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Randy Pineda Newspaper: Sauk Valley Media Years of Service: 10 Years in the newspaper business: 10 Position: Circulation District Sales Manager Job description: Customer service, grow and maintain circulation, sales, recruit and maintain carriers.

What I like best about my job: Meeting so many new people over the years.

Family: Daughter, Victoria, 15 years old/ NewRandy Pineda man Catholic High School.

Hobbies/Interests: Hobbies: Acting, produce, direct, write film and music videos. Interest: Discovering new talent no one has ever heard of. That's what I want to be known for in the filmmaking world.

Fun fact: My daughter is in the acting business as well, and we have been signed with a Hollywood Manager four and a-half years and she has co-produced, co-written and cast every project I have done including a film, and documentary we are shooting in 2012. I'm very proud of her.

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Gina Ringer Newspaper: Morris Daily Herald Years of Service: 10 Years in the newspaper business: Pretty much since birth.

Position: Advertising Account Executive Job description: Print & digital sales for the Morris Herald & SW Herald.

What I like best about my job: My job allows me to be out of the office: which I love. I'm able to meet so many different people and every day is Gina Ringer a different story.

Family: Husband Jeramy (as of 6/15/12) Hobbies/Interests: Tennis, golf, traveling... and HUGE Hawkeye football and basketball fan!!!

Fun fact: I'm totally OCD.... and I love it.

5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Steve Ruth Newspaper: Northwest Herald Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Distribution Coordinator Job description: Opening a Distribution Center, stacking out carriers.

What I like best about my job: Working with people.

Family: Wife, 3 children, 5 grandkids.

Hobbies/Interests: Train buff.

Fun fact: Making people laugh.

Steve Ruh

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 33

PEOPLE OF SHAW MEDIA

5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Name: Ryan Lindley Newspaper: Morris Daily Herald Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Circulation District Manager/ Customer Service Job description: Taking care of all aspects of the Circulation Department: subscribers, carriers, drivers, vending, and dealers.

What I like best about my job: The people Ryan Lindley I work with.

Family: Wife: Lauren, daughters: Brooklyn 5, Fiona 3 months, 2 cats: Lydia and Eli. Hobbies/Interests: Riding my bike, spending time with my wife and kids, painting.

Fun fact: I was in an elevator with Whoopi Goldberg and she shook my hand and said "Hi, how are you?"

Name: Bob Wendt Newspaper: Sauk Valley Media Years of Service: 15 Years in the newspaper business: 23 Position: Director of Digital Development Job description: Helping move us into a digital future by building, implementing and maintaining online products.

What I like best about my job: Working with some really smart and talented people from around the company.

Bob Wendt Family: Wife, DeeAnn; daughters Teyla, 6, and Sophia, 3, along with one-year-old twins, Emily and Jacob.

Hobbies/Interests: Bears football, golf, camping, cooking and spending time with my friends and family.

Fun fact: Produced a neighborhood newsletter on my mother's electric typewriter when I was 10 years old. It actually had seven paying subscribers.

50 years Retired CFO, Secretary and Treasurer of Shaw Media, Phil Metka and his wife, Nancy, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on the beach in Amelia Island, where they spend their winter months. The ceremony was a complete surprise and was orchestrated by their children and grandchildren.

34 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

www.ShawMEDIA.com

PEOPLE OF SHAW MEDIA

S

ERVICE ANNIVERSARIES 5 Years

Diana Hosler Tara Becker Steven Ruth David Lemery Ryan Lindley

8/6 8/6 10/4 11/19 11/29

10 Years Sterling Sterling Crystal Lake Crystal Lake Morris

Gina Ringer Randy Pineda Mark Johnson Malynda Last

9/9 10/14 10/18 10/24

15 Years Morris Sterling Morris Sterling

Donna Barker Bob Wendt Dean Wallace Dawn Rooney

9/23 10/27 10/27 11/3

Princeton Dixon Creston Crystal Lake

20 Years Carol Schmidt Rita Roberts

11/4 11/12

Crystal Lake Princeton

Robert Lanier Michael Behrens Lawrence Synett

5/18 5/21 5/21

Princeton Crystal Lake Crystal Lake

N

EW FACES March

Shawn Shinneman Todd Ogier Jolyn Henderson

3/12 3/19 3/26

Crystal Lake Creston Crystal Lake

Sheryl DeVore Stephen DiBenedetto Ryan Hubbell Randy Jacobs Erica Oertel

April Paul Greene 4/2 Jessica Shumaker 4/9 Tracey Woodall-Masbaum 4/9 Jamie Woodford 4/16 Jennifer Hollinger 4/16 Kimberly Skibinski 4/17

Crystal Lake Morris Grayslake Newton Newton Crystal Lake

4/30 4/30 4/30 4/30 4/30

Grayslake Crystal Lake Sterling Sterling Princeton

May Tina Jackson-Pratt Daniel Howell Kimberly Nelson Sanda Rodriguez Ross Haley

5/9 5/10 5/14 5/15 5/15

St. Charles Crystal Lake Newton Crystal Lake Sterling

June Jason Melton Charles Shepard David Thomas Joshua Peckler Yadira Sanchez-Olson Robert Jacobs

6/4 6/11 6/18 6/18 6/25 6/28

Sterling Newton DeKalb Crystal Lake Grayslake Sterling

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EW RESPONSIBILITIES

Chris Cashman, Business Editor, Northwest Herald.......................................................................................... 4/1/12 Scott Vicker, Sports Editor, Creston News Advertiser and Osceola Sentinel-Tribune................................. 4/1/12 Jason Yates, Assistant Copy Desk Editor, Northwest Herald.........................................................................4/15/12 Josie Koopmans, Inside Classified Sales, News Printing Co..........................................................................4/16/12 Rebecca Grosso, Planit Web Clerk, Shaw Media, Suburban Group................................................................4/17/12 Christopher Seremak, Sales Assistant, Daily Chronicle................................................................................. 4/29/12 Kandi Tomisek, Office Coordinator, Daily Chronicle........................................................................................ 4/29/12 Thomas Devereux, Group Distribution Manager, Shaw Media, Suburban Group........................................ 5/15/12

Corporate Services is Serving Up Software Knowledge • Sessions At Your Location • Small Class Size • Hands On • Personalized • 1 To 1 Training On Request Contact Your Department Manager or Brian Hurley via FirstClass or at the Corporate Office: 815_284_4000 x 229

www.ShawMEDIA.com

Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012 • 35

THE BACK PAGE

CNA photo by Amy Hansen

A makeshift emergency room was set up in the lobby of Greater Regional Medical Center. The regular ER was heavily damaged by the April 14 tornado and didn't reopen until May 23.

CNA photo by Stephani Finley

Vehicles were tossed onto each other in the Greater Regional Medical Center parking lot.

Tornado makes for interesting news

By Stephani Finley CNA managing editor CRESTON — It was a dark and stormy night (haven't you always wanted to start a story with that line?).

It was Saturday, April 14, and most of the state of Iowa was on high alert for storms of some degree.

A severe storm warning was issued for the Union County area until 9 p.m.

As we kept ears and eyes on radar, weather radios and local police scanners, the storms all seemed to glide seamlessly north of Creston and Union County.

Many Creston area residents reported that shortly before 7 p.m. they heard what sounded like hail hitting their roofs and most went to a door or window to look outside. A strong wind had picked up, and tree branches started falling — not unlike the windstorm of March 2011.

Just that fast it was over. Some people reported they were headed for their basements, but the storm passed before they could get there.

A couple of minutes after 7 p.m.

36 • Volume 26 — No. 2 • Summer 2012

CNA photo by Stephani Finley

The condominium complex where CNA Publisher Rich Paulsen lived is shown here after it was hit by an EF2 tornado April 14. the Union County dispatcher on duty said he had a report of a tornado hitting the local hospital.

Much of the power was out in the northern section of Creston where an EF2 tornado had blown through.

Phones were not working. Even cell phone service was down.

Other than myself, Reporters Amy Hansen and Larry Peterson were the only other editorial staff members in town that night.

I grabbed a camera and my husband to drive. As we drove up the

street toward the hospital, one of the first sights was the condominium complex where CNA Publisher Rich Paulsen lived. It was destroyed. After finding him and knowing he and his family were OK, the camera became the recorder of choice.

Finally, we could get some texts on our cell phones, and I discovered both Hansen and Peterson were on scene.

We shot photos until the darkness was too great and decided to regroup at 8:30 a.m Sunday at the office.

Cell phones still weren't working well, but we managed to get messages to Production Manager Kevin Lindley and Distribution Manager Sandy Allison and other support staff. Systems Administrator Dorine Peterson was already at the office.

With a team of dedicated workers, by noon, we published and distributed a four-page special Sunday edition — the only Sunday edition anyone can remember ever been published by the Creston News Advertiser.

The tornado, its aftermath and cleanup continued to be a topic of news stories well into June. www.ShawMEDIA.com