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Remembering Dick Nafsinger – 1933-2011

By | Eagle Newspaper, News

In many ways, just as he preferred, Dick Nafsinger lived like his Hood River friends and neighbors. He married his high school sweetheart, was a Cub Scout pack leader, a Little League coach, owned and operated a business, joined service clubs and was a doting father and grandfather.

But, Nafsinger, who died early Saturday morning, July 23rd, at age 77 from complications of pulmonary fibrosis, also ran in national circles.

He met with two serving presidents, but spoke just as fondly of the time he presided over the Hood River Rotary Club. He was president of the National Newspaper Association, but also found great pleasure in writing a poignant editorial or column in the Hood River News about a city council decision.

Nafsinger sat in on cabinet meetings with former president Jimmy Carter. But equally important were the more regular “cabinet” meetings he participated in at the Hood River Elks Lodge or with his downtown coffee buddies. A common thread throughout Nafsinger’s life was community — his community in the Hood River Valley, as well as the greater national newspaper community.

Don Hosford, a longtime friend, said this about Nafsinger, when he was honored in 2001 as a lifetime member of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association:  “Although Dick has been a leader in a large and geographically widespread newspaper organization, he has chosen to make Hood River his home,” Hosford wrote. “He truly loves his community and cares about its people and its future.”

Nafsinger was recognized numerous times for his civic activities enhancing the quality of life in the Hood River Valley, including founding the Hood River Improvement Company and spearheading the hospital foundation’s fundraising drive for a kidney dialysis center. He held leadership positions on the school board, hospital foundation and Rotary club, among others.

All the while, Nafsinger built a strong, viable business operation, considered an integral part of the community’s economy.There was another aspect that helps explain some of the credit for the respect Nafsinger gained within his profession. He has worked both sides of the editorial and advertising aisles throughout his career. He understood the core values of news and the fundamentals of business and was equally at home interviewing Jimmy Carter or Ronald Reagan, as he was selling an ad to Sheppard’s farm implement store.

His ability to bridge and meld the gap between news-side and ad-side was demonstrated in his key role at the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association during the 1970s when the association’s advertising division was formed; and in his election to head both the National Newspaper Association and its advertising arm, American Newspaper Representatives.“Dick was a master at publishing a community newspaper,” said Tom Lanctot, former News publisher and now Eagle company president. “He knew instinctively the importance of establishing credibility and integrity in the news columns, the editorial page and in advertising. He kept those functions separate, always recognizing the editorial leadership responsibility of a newspaper.”

Hard work was a way of life for Nafsinger and it started while he was growing up on a farm in rural western Idaho. His first brush with the media was as a disc jockey for radio station KCID (which spelled backward is Dick, something not lost later in life on his four children). Nafsinger announced play-by-play on the radio for local sporting events. He was a three-sport athlete in high school, co-captain of the Caldwell High School football team and senior class president.

After attending College of Idaho, Nafsinger and his wife, Phyllis, moved to Albany in 1957 when he took a sports writing job at the Democrat-Herald newspaper.  One of his favorite stories was how he put a stop to the under-the-table money the previous sports editor was receiving for writing stories about the fledgling professional wrestling organization that held matches at the Albany Armory. The professionalism and ethics he brought to his job greatly improved the status of the Democrat-Herald in the community.

A short time later, Nafsinger was appointed managing editor by publisher Elmo Smith. Nafsinger moved to Hood River, Oregon, in 1962 at age 28, when he was hired as editor and publisher of the Hood River News, owned by Smith. The News was one of the three original newspapers owned by Eagle Newspapers Inc. (Blue Mountain Eagle Inc. at that time).Under Nafsinger’s leadership the News grew from a hot-type operation, averaging 12 to 14 pages a week, to a twice-weekly averaging 50 pages per week with a full-service commercial printing plant.  He became a key participant in the company and a key player in its growth. In 1991 he stepped down as News publisher to devote full-time as president and chief operating officer of Eagle, a position he held from 1978 to 2001. He remained on the Eagle board until his death.

He was responsible for one of the strengths of Eagle’s newspapers — a deep sense of community commitment on the part of the businesses themselves and the individual employees.

“Truth had no better friend. He fought for it in print and spoke it, always,” said U.S. Congressman Greg Walden of Hood River. “A journalist, yes; but an editor and publisher who understood both sides of the business. Clever, humorous, tough when necessary.”

Denny Smith, son of Elmo and present Eagle Newspapers owner, said: “There are countless numbers of men and women, as well as organizations, who have prospered from their associations with Dick. I count myself among the fortunate crowd of beneficiaries, and one of the early ones … going back 50 years during which I looked up to him as a mentor, the brother-I-never-had and a valued business partner.”

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A service to honor Dick is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, July 30th at Hood River Alliance Church.  Contributions in Dick’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association or American Lung Association.

(A full obituary can be found on page A6 on the Hood River News. A further tribute to Nafsinger’s life will be published in Saturday’s News.)

The Hood River News printed a special section in honor of Dick. You can find it here: Dick Nafsinger Tribute.

SPJ Award Winners – Congratulations!

By | Eagle Newspaper, News

The Madras Pioneer garnered four awards in the Society of Professional Journalists Nondaily Newspaper Contest, which were announced at theannual banquet May 21st in Portland.

The Pioneer competed against all other nondaily newspapers in Oregon and Southwest Washington with circulations of 8,000 or less.

General editor Susan Matheny won a first-place award in the Religion and Ethics category for her feature “Mission Impossible?” on the Madras Free Methodist’s mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico, to build a house in five days.

Sports editor Joe McHaney collected two second-place awards. In the SportsColumn category, he won with the entries “Rylee Swings Away,” “Human Error,”and “Newborn.”  In the Sports Photo category, McHaney won for his photo “Walk-Off Blast” of the Madras High School softball team celebrating its walk-off victory in the first round of the Class 5A state softball playoffs. 

News editor Holly Gill won a third-place award in the News Feature category forher article “Chase, gunfire entangle rancher” about Tom Norton Jr. runningpoachers off his property. 

The Polk County Itemizer-Observer received three awards from the Oregon and Southwest Washington Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and its2010 Nondaily Journalism Contest.

Pete Strong took first place in the Best News Photography category for his photo covering the arrival of the casket of Sgt. Ian Tawney from Afghanistan at the Salem Airport.

Sam Scott won first place in the Best Sports News category for his story headlined “Boise State Bound” about Central High’s Grant Hedrick signinga national football letter of intent with the Broncos. 

The I-O placed second in the General Excellence competition, finishing behind only the Clackamas Review. The I-O placed first in the General Excellence division last year. The Dallas-based newspaper submitted just five total entries, so receiving three awards was a bit unexpected. 

The contest included newspapers, alternative publications, magazines and online mediums with circulations of less than 8,000.

2010 ONPA Better Newspaper Contest

By | Eagle Newspaper, News

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR EAGLE WINNERS!

Central Oregonian (Prineville)  First Place: Best Page One Design, Best Sports Photo 

The Dalles Chronicle  First Place: Best Editorial, Best Writing, Best Page One Design, Best Sports Photo  Second Place: Best News Photo  Third Place: Best Editorial Page, Best Features Story: General, Best Feature Photo 

Hood River News  First Place: Best Special Section or Issue Second Place: Best Feature Story: General, Best Sports Story  Third Place:  Best Graphics, Best News Photo 

The Madras Pioneer  First Place: Best Special Section or Issue, Best Educational Coverage  Second Place: Best Local Column, Best Photo Essay 

Polk County Itemizer-Observer (Dallas)  First Place: Best Spot News Coverage, Best Graphics  Second Place: Best Editorial, Best Editorial Page, Best Headline Writing, Best Sports Story, Best News Photo  Third Place: Best Educational Coverage, Best Lifestyle Coverage, Best Spot News Coverage, Best Writing, Best Web Design 

#1 Best Special Section – Hood River News 

#1 Best Special Section – Madras Pioneer

 #1 Best Graphics – Polk County Itemizer-Observer

#1 Best Page 1 Design – The Dalles Chronicle

Sad Farewell…

By | Eagle Newspaper, News

Monday, July 19, 2010 was a sad day for our Eagle Newspapers family.  We lost an amazing, talented, dedicated newspaper man, king of advertising sales, and dear friend.  Bob Schoenkopf, 85, passed away from a recently diagnosed illness.

His last few working years were spent at the helm of Eagle’s Northwest Senior & Boomer News publication.  Bob, who recently retired after 50+ years in the business, spent the last couple weeks of his life in the hospital surrounded by loving family members and friends who, up until the last, were the beneficiaries of Bob’s well-known quick, dry wit and feistiness.

We were privileged to know you and to learn from you, Bob.  You will be missed.

Excellence in Journalism recognized!

By | Eagle Newspaper, News

Two awards for “General Excellence” were among the several honors three Eagle newspapers won in the annual competition for daily and weekly membersof the Oregon and Southwest Washington chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

The Polk County Itemizer-Observer placed first in General Excellence and the Madras Pioneer placed third. The award for overall appearance and content is the most prestigious honor presented by the professional group. Dallas publisher Nancy Adams was there to accept the top honor at a banquet held at the Portland Zoo May 22. The second-place winner was the Beaverton Valley Times.

Idaho County Free Press community editor Lorie Palmer took a second place in the Lifestyles Reporting category for a story entitled “Students enjoy farm tour.” She also received a third-place award in the Health Reporting category for the story “Family works through autism diagnosis.” Lorie has worked at the Free Press for 15 years this month and has earned many awards for her writing and photography.

Madras Pioneer staff members were singled out for four awards in addition to the General Excellence nod. News editor Holly Gill won two first-place awards for her article “Foreclosure Fever” on Jefferson County foreclosures in theBusiness News category and in the Page One Design category. Sports editor Joe McHaney won a second-place award for Sports Section Page Design and third-place award for his sports column.

In addition to the General Excellence award, the Dallas newspaper’s sports editor, Sam Scott, earned a second-place award in the Best Sports Photo category for a photo of a young rodeo cowboy falling off his bucking bronc during the Polk County Fair’s youth rodeo last August.

Judging period for the Excellence in Journalism Awards was for newspapers published from Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2009.

Recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists

By | Eagle Newspaper, News

Two Chronicle newspaper staffers and a freelance photographer have won awards for their journalistic efforts in 2009 from the Society of Professional Journalists. Sports editor Al Camp, publisher Roger Harnack and amateur photographer Nicole Davis were recognized May 22, during the SPJ’s annual awards banquet in Seattle. None of the other local newspapers serving the Okanogan and Ferry counties area won an award. The competition included journalists from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.

Al brought home the biggest award in North Central Washington,winning first place in sports photography, as well as taking second in portfolio and third place in news photography. His winning photo, “Omak goes down fighting,” was published April 8. The photograph was of Omak High School catcher Marcy Harris tagging Cashmere’s Ali Wisencove in the side of the head and knocking her to the ground during a fastpitch softball game.

Al’s portfolio award included that photograph as well as images of the Oden Road Fire, Brewster High School soccer, Omak High School volleyball, Omak Stampede, the annual Ride to Rendezvous wagon train, a house fire, an injured deputy being rescued and an emotional photo of murder victim Michelle Kitterman’s family. The house fire image also garnered Al his third place award for news photography.

Roger took second place in column writing with his “On the Hot Seat” column. The award was based on columns criticizing the Omak School District’s lack of understanding in making policies relating to children of divorce, the rush to judgment of accused killer Kino Gomez and the visit of the road crew for country music superstars Brooks and Dunn.

Nicole, the freelancer, took second place in news photography for her “Lightning Strikes Again” image, taken during an intense storm July 26 near Monse.

Outstanding Media Partner

By | Eagle Newspaper, News

The Hood River News was honored as Outstanding Media Partner by the County Commission on Children and Families last month for “print devoted to youth accomplishments; portrayal ofyouth in a positive light” and inclusion of the Drug Prevention Coloring section each year, along with coverage of Red Ribbon Week at elementary schools.

Commission on Children and Families honored businesses, organizations and school groups along with local youth for playing “a major role in the countywide reduction of drug use by youth and adults over the last five years.”

Attending the April 29th event were general manager Joe Deckard, editor Kirby Neumann-Rea and reporters RaeLynn Ricarte and Esther Smith.

Happy 100th Birthday!

By | Eagle Newspaper, News

The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle turned 100 years old May 20 and the staff held a birthday party open house from 4-7 p.m. that evening, which included refreshments, doorprizes, a photo slideshow, facility tours and more.

Nearly 100 people came by to congratulate the paper, which is the oldest business in Omak.  Former publisher, Judy Smith and current Eagle Newspapers Inc. President, Tom Lanctot, were among the well-wishers.  Elizabeth Widel, 92 years of age and a 56-year employee, did the honors of cutting the congratulatory cake!

As part of the celebration, The Chronicle also released its first edition, reprinted in the May19 paper, along with the first of a 10-part series covering the top news of the 1910’s. Each month, The Chronicle will print the next part, covering the next decade in time as seen through the eyes of the newspaper staff.

Cal Borman retires – reflects on half century in printing industry

By | Eagle Newspaper, News

After more than 50 years in the printing business, Cal Borman retired in April. The Eagle Web Press sales manager took time to look back on those years, which included not only his recent position, but also a period beginning in 1971 at a newly-established West Salem press plant.  Cal writes:

“It all began in 1958 while in high school in Pendleton Oregon. I signed up for T&I (Trades and Industries) when I was a junior in high school. The teacher would find part time jobs for his students and the afternoons were spent at that job. Successful students would get two credits toward their diploma and learn a trade at the same time.

“I was successful getting an opportunity with The East Oregonian Publishing Co. as a copyboy. After graduating I went in the U.S. Naval Reserve. After returning from that, I went back to the EO where they put me on in production. But in order to comply with Bud Forrester’s plan, I had to take some college classes before I could advance to a printer apprentice, as required by the ITU (International Typographical Union) through the State of Oregon. This was a work-in-progress program for six years. After graduating I became a Journeyman Pressman. After completing 12 years working for the Forrester’s—Bud was a very good man—I felt the need to expand my horizons. In 1971 I came to work for Denny Smith—another very good man.

“I was hired to be the production manager by the late Joe Blaha, publisher of the Itemizer-Observer. This was just a few months after the I-O explosion in Dallas that wiped out the newspaper’s press. By 1971 Denny’s new central printing operation in West Salem was up and running to print his newspapers. Denny had not been happy how the operation was running and they decided to hire someone from the outside. That’s where I came in. After a few months and terminating several employees, we hired a good guy named Michael R Gehring as production manager, and Denny talked me into becoming the manager. Even though I protested, he has a silver tongue and I agreed—one of my best decisions ever.

“While working at what was known then as Blue Mountain Eagle Web Press, I not only got a real taste of responsibility, but I also learned a lot from Denny’s aunt, Kay Lowe—I loved her. She taught me the business side of the operation, as did both Dick Nafsinger and Denny.

“I worked there until I felt the need to move on to bigger and more challenging opportunities. I spent the seven years in Albuquerque, NM working for Butch Alford of the Lewiston Morning Tribune as the manager of Graphic Arts Publishing. I later became a VP in charge of all the GAP facilities in the intermountain region. This operation later was dismantled and for the next seven years I worked for Treasure Chest Advertising, a national company at the time, selling advertising inserts across the USA.

“Treasure Chest asked me to move to the East Coast, but my wife and I had been too far from our family for too long. In 1993 I decided come hell or high water I was going to return to the Pacific Northwest. I contacted my friends everywhere in Washington and Oregon to locate a job. Lo and behold, Denny wanted me back. How lucky can a guy be?

“Michael, who by then was general manager of Eagle Web Press, decided to open an office in the SeaTac area and develop some new business there. But it wasn’t too long, as business picked up, that Michael asked if I could move to Salem and become his sales manager.

“I, of course, jumped at the chance and what a wonderful ride it’s been. I love this company and Denny is the best employer I’ve ever had. I have no regrets. Not to say I wouldn’t have changed some things I’ve done, but for the most part this has been a great 50 years.”

WNPA award winners – Congratulations!

By | Eagle Newspaper, News

The Omak and Sunnyside newspapers received notice August 14th that they have earned awards in the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Better Newspapers Contest.

The White Salmon Enterprise, the only other Eagle newspaper in Washington State, did not enter the contest. 

The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle reports three news staffers have won one or more in the news and photography categories.  They are managing editor Dee Camp, sports editor Al Camp, and former reporter Chris Thew. 

Daily Sun News publisher Tim Graff says his letter noted that they won awards in news, advertising and special sections. He says it also stated “that news reporters Corey Russell and John Fannin had won awards and also Aaron Rider in our production department.  It went on to say that the news staff and production staff also won awards.” 

The placement and categories will be revealed during WNPA’s annual convention October 1-3, in Olympia.