Arkansas journalists win big at annual Green Eyeshade Awards
Guest Column:
Ad-Libs: Two things that will never change
By John Foust
Arkansas Press Association PUBLISHER
6,
Charity Rolen is keeping the Marshall Mountain Wave rolling
Some of the unrecognized heroes in American journalism are “country editors” who continue to tell the stories of their rural communities – often devoting long hours in one-person operations.
Charity Rolen, editor of the Marshall Mountain Wave, is one outstanding example.
Rolen began work at the newspaper as a photojournalist in 2017 and moved into the editor position when the publication was acquired in 2021 by CherryRoad Media. It previously had been owned by Dale and Jane Estes.
“Little did I know that Jane was grooming me for the position all along,” Rolen said. “’You’ll do great things at the newspaper and our legacy will go on through you,’ she told me.”
Rolen said her relationship with the CherryRoad Media has been outstanding. “I instantly liked (CherryRoad Media CEO) Jeremy Gulban,” she said. “He is very down to earth…and tall,” she said with a laugh.
“We have a really great team,” Rolen said. “They are there for their people,” she said of the parent company. They care about their people.”
She cited an example of the corporate team helping with many of her tasks when she needed to care for her father during the period before his death. “When something like that happens, I know they will 100 percent back me.”
CherryRoad Media owns 85 newspapers in 15 states, including other Arkansas properties in Piggott, Salem, Pocahontas and Corning.
Rolen is the only person working full-time at the downtown Marshall newspaper office. She does have assistance from several correspondents at rural communities in
Searcy County. Driver Stephen Monfee plays a key role as he picks up the newspaper bundles each week in Salem after printing in Hutchinson, Kansas, and then delivers them to locations throughout the county.
The newspaper has maintained a steady circulation in recent years and currently runs about 8-10 pages a week. A significant number of special sections and promotions help keep the revenue flowing. One such promotion currently is underway, the Searcy County Fair.
The Marshall Mountain Wave also has another rather unique circulation promotion underway. There is a gumball machine in the office and, if a customer gets a gold-colored one, the prize is a free oneyear subscription. “It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “If the customer already has a subscription, I will sometimes find another lucky winner.”
Rolen has a strenuous schedule covering Marshall and the dozen neighboring communities, plus the Ozark Mountain and Searcy County school districts. “But I enjoy staying busy,” she said. “I just don’t like to be sitting still.”
Searcy County is solidly rural, and that suits Rolen just fine. While she was born in Alaska, her family moved to Marshall from Oregon when she was in the fourth grade, and she has remained there ever since. Her late father was raised in Searcy County and returned home to help care for his ailing mother.
“It is amazing how many farms we have in the county — cattle, goats, chickens. We are basically agricultural — we teach it in school, and we promote it in many ways.
“I just like the quiet of living here, as opposed to the bigger cities,” she said. “And I feel very safe here, with very little crime. It’s the bears we have to worry about,” she
joked. She explained that a bear recently broke off a branch in a peach tree in the family’s backyard. “We have a mama bear and a couple of cubs, and another one was seen near the True Value hardware store the other day.”
While agriculture is the primary basis for the local economy, Rolen said the Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commerce is proving to be aggressive through the efforts of executive director Darryl Treat The Chamber has strong support from area merchants and is focused on attracting new business and industry.
Rolen said a speech teacher in high school recognized her writing ability and it is something she always has enjoyed
“I just really like telling the stories of people in our area,” she said. “I guess you could say transporting the thoughts from my brain to yours. I just enjoy it, and it’s therapeutic.” She writes a weekly column for the front page of the newspaper and consistently makes an effort to promote all the events and opportunities in the county.
Charity Rolen
See Charity Rolen page 2
Charity Rolen
“The newspaper is still important to people in our area,” she said. “Many of them are elderly and not that tuned in to the internet, so they depend on me.
“We also are important because we are helping keep the transparency between local governments. We are keeping our readers informed of local happenings. I pride myself on printing the truth no matter what.”
Rolen had her own photography business prior to working at the newspaper and did a lot of portrait work. That has declined because of her reporting tasks, but she still finds satisfaction in photography. “I like taking photos in the winter and also do a lot of nature shots. I really enjoy getting out in nature and, once again, it is therapeutic.”
Rolen has a special cause, suicide prevention, that has led her to speak to civic and governmental groups and also develop an informational ad in the newspaper. The suicide of her nephew at age 22 led to her decision to become active in publishing help numbers and other information.
“I know talking about this subject is taboo,” she wrote in a recent column. “I believe that it’s time to stop treating this as an unmentionable subject. It is a real issue, and it needs to be brought to the light. If we don’t, more lives are going to be lost. This is something that is completely preventable. We just have to band
together as a community and help each other. I know in this day and age this is rare, but a change is needed. It’s not just adults that are going through this, it’s affecting the kids too. Mental health is important! A lot of factors go into suicide, but mental health is the key ingredient.”
She and her husband, Aaron Rolen, have two daughters – Alaina, 15, and Kaelynn, 8. Both attend school in Marshall. Her older daughter is a member of the color guard in the high school band, and Rolen volunteers as one of the coaches.
The family recently installed a pool at their home, and they enjoy swimming as a family. They also like to fish and go bowling.
Rolen feels she has found her calling in keeping her community informed and telling the stories of her friends and neighbors.
“It’s satisfying because I put so much work into having a great newspaper and getting the accurate information out to my readers,” she said. “When they give feedback of how much they love it, it lets me know that all my work isn’t in vain. Seeing the readers getting so much joy from our weekly paper is the best feeling in the world.
“My goal is to serve my community and keep the newspaper going for as long as I possibly can.”
ARE YOU HIRING?
Rolen poses with her first-place award for Best Front Page Design at the close of the 2024 APA Convention and Better Newspaper Editorial Awards in June.
APA Press Freedom Gala set for October 24 in Little Rock
The third annual Press Freedom Gala is set for Thursday, Oct. 24 in the Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.
The evening will begin with an hors d’oeuvres reception at 6 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. dinner and an hour-long program. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Senior Editor Rex Nelson will serve as emcee for the event. Music will be provided by award-winning trumpeter Rodney Block, who has shared the stage with such notable artists as The Temptations, Earth, Wind & Fire, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Sugar Ray, Chrissette Michelle, The Migos, Eric Benet, Whoodini and many more.
To be honored this year are:
APA Headliner of the Year Award — Arkansas Foodbank
Now in its 40th year, the Arkansas Foodbank stands as the largest hunger relief organization in the state, serving 33 counties across the state’s central, eastern and southern regions. Its cornerstone initiatives, including Food For Kids, Food For Families, and Food For Seniors, enable the distribution of essential resources through a network of more than 400 food pantries, schools, colleges, shelters, senior centers and other agencies across Arkansas. In 2020, Arkansas Foodbank distributed 40.4 million pounds of food across central and southern Arkansas, a 37% increase from 2019 attributed to the economic impact the coronavirus pandemic had on communities across central and southern Arkansas, as more people than ever before needed assistance putting food on tables due to business closures and layoffs.
The Foodbank continues to distribute more than 40 million pounds annually today, providing consistent access to nutritious food to families in need of assistance. A proud member of Feeding America and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, the Arkansas Foodbank finds pathways to connect people, resources and food to reach those in need, providing dignity, hope and a brighter future for all Arkansans.
Dean Emeritus of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock James L. “Skip” Rutherford III joined the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation board in 2022, and has been quick to help when called upon by APA, most recently by serving as treasurer of Arkansans for a Free Press, APA’s ballot question committee in support of the Arkansas Government Disclosure Amendment & Act.
Rutherford worked for the Batesville Guard during high school and majored in journalism and edited the Arkansas Traveler at the University of Arkansas. He’s now a five-decade-plus mail subscriber of the Batesville Guard and reads several newspapers every day.
Rutherford has previously been named APA’s Headliner of the Year for his work in planning and opening the Clinton Presidential Center; Arkansan of the Year by the Arkansas Broadcasters Association; Arkansan of the Year by the Arkansas Times; and was recognized as Tourism Person of the Year at the Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
APA Journalism Educator of the Year Award — Larry Foley
Professor Larry Foley joined the faculty of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences School of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Arkansas in 1993 following 17 years as a TV reporter, producer and public TV executive. He served as chair of SJSM from 2014-2023 during a time of record student growth, and a multi-million-dollar infusion in new state-of- the-art facilities. Under his leadership, the journalism department became the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, twice earning national re-accreditation.
He has been inducted into the Lemke Journalism Hall of Honor, the Fayetteville Schools Hall of Honor and the Mid-America Emmy Silver Circle for a distinguished career invested in teaching, reporting, writing, producing and directing stories, mostly about his beloved home state of Arkansas. His documentary films have earned eight Mid-America Emmys and 24 Emmy nominations in writing, journalistic enterprise, history, cultural history, special programs and community service.
“The Press Freedom Gala is a celebration of both a free press and of those who brought positive headlines to Arkansas,” said APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley. “We are honored to recognize this year’s honorees and draw attention to their service to our state and to the Arkansas newspaper industry.”
Email pressfreedom@arkansaspress.org for sponsorship levels and ticket information. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
APA Distinguished Service Award — James L. “Skip” Rutherford III
Arkansas journalists win big at annual Green Eyeshade Awards
Staff at two Arkansas newspapers brought home wins at the recent 74th Annual Green Eyeshade Awards.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette staff in Little Rock took first place in Deadline Reporting/Large Dailies and second place in Disaster Reporting/All Dailies for its coverage of the tornadoes that tore through Little Rock and Wynne on March 31 of last year.
Additionally, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Senior Editor Rex Nelson won second place in the Serious Commentary/ All Dailies category for his portfolio of columns. Photographers Colin Murphey and Thomas Metthe took first and second place, respectively, for their portfolios in
the Feature Photography category, while Stephen Swofford was awarded second place for his portfolio in the Spot News Photography category.
In the Non-Daily newspaper division, The Madison County Record in Huntsville brought home four awards, with Publisher Ellen Kreth taking first place in Investigative Reporting and second place in Public Service in Non-Daily Journalism for her story, “Changes floated for land around Buffalo River.” Kreth also took first place in Editorial Writing for “A city and county in transition,” while Record Editor Dan Marsh was awarded second place in General Reporting for his story, “Poultry company shocks growers with shutdown.”
The contest’s overall award was presented to 64 Parishes magazine of Louisiana.
Since 1950, the Green Eyeshade Awards have recognized the very best journalism in the southeastern United States. The contest now includes print, television, radio and digital journalism.
Hosted by southerners in the Society for Professional Journalists, journalists in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia are eligible to compete in either pro or college categories.
For more information visit greeneyeshade.org.
Three Arkansas newspapers sold to Carpenter Media Group
The sale of three north Arkansas newspapers to Carpenter Media Group was announced on September 7.
Phillips Media Group announced an agreement for CMG to acquire the Harrison Daily Times, the Newton County Times in Jasper and The Baxter Bulletin in Mountain Home, along with 13 other community newspapers in Missouri and Illinois, as well as Nowata Printing Company in Springfield, Missouri. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
“It has been a pleasure to own and operate these great publications,” said PMG President and CEO Rupert Phillips in the announcement of the sale. “Their future will be in good hands with Carpenter Media Group, a company focused on continuing the tradition of providing a quality newspaper for their local communities.”
“We feel fortunate to succeed Rupert Phillips and his team in these communities
with these newspapers that are so important to each one” said CMG Chairman Todd Carpenter. “To work with a group like this is a pleasure and privilege because of the quality of the company, the people and the good foundations they put down.”
Prior to chairing CMG, Carpenter was a longtime CEO and director of Boone Newsmedia, Inc., which, including CMG’s holdings along with its own, managed 85 newspaper titles, various magazines, websites and other businesses in 12 states. After separating CMG holdings last year from BNI and recent acquisitions, CMG now owns and manages over 250 titles in the United States and Canada.
The 116-year-old Newton County Times was originally established at Mt. Judea, but moved to Jasper, the county seat, around 1917. The Harrison Daily Times was established by Thomas Newman in 1873 as the Boone County Highlander, and
published briefly under the name Harrison Highlander before adopting the name Harrison Daily Times in 1876. Newman sold the newspaper to J.E. Dunlap, Jr., owner of the Boone County Headlight, in 1954. While the Dunlap family remained at the helm, the Daily Times was sold to American Publishing in 1993 and was later owned by Community Newspaper Holding Inc. and Community Publishers, Inc. Phillips Media Group acquired both the Daily Times and the Newton County Times in 2015.
The Baxter Bulletin was established at Mountain Home by J.G Copeland in 1901 and acquired by brothers Tom Shiras and Enness Shiras in 1905. Members of the Shiras family operated the newspaper until 1970, when it was sold to Harold E. Martin. Multimedia Inc. acquired the newspaper in 1976, and that publishing company sold to Gannett in 1995. PMG purchased the Baxter Bulletin from Gannett in August 2021.
Slimp to hold live Adobe InDesign webinar September 26
Newspaper design guru Kevin Slimp will host his live webinar, “Adobe InDesign: From Zero to Hero!” on Thursday, September 26 at 1 p.m.
The webinar is designed for new hires or for anyone who never got to attend a basic InDesign class and would like to learn so many tools that they’ve missed while learning it on their own. In the 90-minute session, Slimp will take attendees through the very basics to advanced skills. “Even beginners will walk away from this class as an InDesign hero,” said Slimp. Topics covered will include:
• Learning to use Multiple Methods of Creating and Placing Text
• Taking control of the text before it even goes on the page
• Tools to make designing ads and pages go faster
• Working with Images and Shapes
• Placing and Editing Objects and Photos in InDesign
• Creating and placing tables from Excel and other applications
• Using the Panels (Palettes) and Tools in the InDesign Toolbar
• Creating PDF Files that Print well on Newsprint
And more.
The cost to attend is $89. If you are interested but can’t make it to the live session, register and a recording will be sent to you afterward. Info and registration can be found at https://newspaperacademy. com/webinar/indhero24/
Guest Column: Ad-Libs: Two things that will never change
By John Foust
Luke told me about a business panel discussion in which he participated. He represented the ad department of the local newspaper, and others represented industries like banking, accounting, and various office services.
The moderator asked each panelist to introduce themselves, identify their company and position, then give a brief, one or two sentence statement of one thing they would like the audience to know about their specialty.
The brevity requirement was broken immediately. The accountant’s statement was several minutes long and, according to Luke, completely forgettable. The banker rambled for a minute or two and ended up saying how much she liked her job. The other panelists were equally vague and unmemorable, until it was Luke’s turn. After introducing himself, he said, “People don’t buy features, they buy benefits.”
That was it: People don’t buy features, they buy benefits. In one sentence, he summed up the most important thing that a salesperson needs to know – whether it’s selling through advertising or selling in a one-to-one conversation.
Luke’s strategy was right on target. “My kickoff statement was easy to remember,” he said. “Some of the people in the audience had never considered the concept of seeing products in terms of features and benefits. As the meeting progressed, their interest gave me a chance to cover important details about advertising. Some of them even wanted to set appointments.”
His experience reminds me of the story about the old sea captain who was famous for his years of success in always delivering the ship’s cargoes on time. In the face of countless storms and dangerous high seas, he never lost a ship, a crew member or a passenger.
Every morning, the old captain went through a strange ritual. He opened the safe in his quarters, opened an envelope and pulled out a small piece of paper. After staring at the paper for a few minutes, he locked it up again and went about the day.
When he retired, the first mate said, “Captain, we feel the secret to your success is on the piece of paper in your safe. May we see it?” The captain smiled and handed the key to him. A few minutes later, the first mate opened the envelope in front of the entire crew.
They were stunned when they learned that the paper read, “Port left. Starboard right.”
The old captain’s focus was on the most basic of sailing basics. From a canoe to a battleship, port is always the left side and starboard is the right side. That will never change.
In advertising – as in any kind of sellingpeople don’t buy product features, they buy what those products can do for them. That’s the most basic of advertising basics. And that, too, will never change.
As long as advertising people remember that in every sales presentation – and as long as they remember that in every ad they create – they’ll stay on course.
(c) Copyright 2024 by John Foust. All rights reserved.
John Foust has conducted training programs for thousands of newspaper advertising professionals. Many ad departments are using his training DVDs to save time and get quick results from in-house training. Email for information: john@johnfoust.com
