Look who showed up

About 35 former Plain Dealer staffers gathered at Mahle's Restaurant in Westlake on Friday, Jan. 20, 2008 for lunch and conversation. We could have put out our own paper what with the variety of talent. Here's some photos. For more images go to flickr.com/photos/rosebud

Don Bean was telling "true stories" while Jim Hatch showed photos of his new grandson. Dick Zunt, Lori Onder and Bob Dolgan caught up.

Jan Harayda sighting

Jan Harayda, former Plain Dealer book editor, is
working on her third novel while participating in the Writer in
Residence program at the Fairhope Center for the Writing Arts in
Fairhope, Ala.

The local newspaper, Baldwin County Now, did a story about her.
The link:
www.baldwincountynow.com/articles/2009/01/30/local_news/doc4979ed78c8b5a792691752.txt

Meet the author, Tom Diemer

Tom Diemer,
former Washington and Columbus bureau reporter, was in Cleveland Sunday, Jan. 11 for a book signing party. Tom's book, "Fighting the Unbeatable Foe," is the story of the political life of the late Senator Howard Metzenbaum. Helping him celebrate at Nighttown were about 35 people including several retired PD colleagues. Diemer also spoke to the City Club Monday. He's now with Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism . For more photos go to flickr.com/photos/rosebud

January luncheon is here, Jan. 30

PD Editorial Retirees & Expatriates

Casual unstructured lunch troupe

Gather for lunch on the last Fridays of January, April, July and October

Spouses and guests always welcome

NEXT LUNCHEON: Noon, Friday, January 30

PLACE: Mahle’s Restaurant

24945 Detroit Road

Westlake OH 44145

Between Columbia and Clague Roads, on south side

Cost: $12.95 including entrée, beverage, tax and gratuity

Choice of Entrées:

Steak Salad

Shrimp Scampi over Angel Hair Pasta

Grilled Chicken Sandwich w/ Fries

Vegetarian Pasta Primavera also available

RSVP by January 23

Janet Beighle French (216) 221-2318, or email jabfr519@sbcglobal.net

JoAnn Pallant (440) 734-1923, or email japallant@sbcglobal.net

Chris Stephens' farewell party

About two or so weeks ago, photographer Chris Stephens left The Plain Dealer, one of about 25 people who left on their own, taking the "buyout." For photos from her party at the Mardi Gras, go to flickr.com/photos/rosebud

A little levity from the past

Former makeup man Bill Fenton sent us this old photo a while
back. Those were the good ole days in the old PD building when hijinks were commonplace. Why Lustig was playing Superman is unknown, but not surprising. Several in the photo are deceased, including Lustig. If you know of others, please comment.

Man of Steel in PD Sports Department:

Seated on left, front to back: Ernie Rocco, Winfield Leathers, Bob Dolgan.

In the slot: George Peters, behind him is Gene Hersh on right and Chuck Webster. (now a lawyer/politician in Lake County)

Seated behind "Superman" (Dennis Lustig) is copy boy Sheldon Rubenstein.

Picture was taken about 1971, either by Dick Conway or Ray Matjasic, but I'm guessing on both counts.

------ Bill Fenton