Chuck Heaton award goes to Terry Pluto

Plain Dealer and former Akron Beacon Journal sportswriter Terry Pluto is the recipient of the first annual Chuck Heaton award.

The award, presented by the Heaton family, was given at the Press Club of Cleveland's Journalism Hall of Fame inductions ceremonies Thursday night, November 13, 2008, at the LaCentre banquet and meeting facility in Westlake.

The Press Club presented the Heaton Award, named in honor of the legendary and beloved Plain Dealer sportswriter who died earlier this year. Press Club President Ed Byers said the award will be presented annually to the print, radio or television journalist who best exemplifies the sensitivity and humility which, along with his writing talents, were traits exhibited by Heaton.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame this year were Pete Cary, Tom Meyer, Bill Miller and Jane Temple. Elizabeth Sullivan was to have been inducted, but due to a family situation, she wasn't able to be present and will, instead, be inducted in 2009.

You can read the entire program, along with full-page tributes, here: http://www.pressclubcleveland.com/ME2/Audiences/Default.asp?AudID=B6D38AE5372E4669A908C13043FA23F0

Photos from the Hall of Fame event are located here (captions on the photos coming soon): http://tinyurl.com/6eazn4

The Pittsburgh Tribune ran an article about inductee Bill Miller. That article can be read here: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_599701.html

The actual Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame is located at Nighttown, at the top of Cedar Hill in Cleveland Heights, where Press Club of Cleveland members with valid membership cards receive 15% off the food portion of their checks.For further information about The Press Club of Cleveland, click here: http://www.pressclubcleveland.com

-- Bruce Hennes

A night crew to remember

This is the Plain Dealer's night crew as of Nov. 2008. The photo was taken on occasion of what would be the last night this particular crew worked together at The PD, which had also prompted a pot-luck dinner. You have probably read or heard about buyouts and layoffs . From this group, Chris Raider takes retirement, and Rona Proudfoot goes to the newly established Lorain.com. After that, who knows? Not pictured: Camera-shy Deborah Miller, Bob Proske (working in sports that night), Jon Fobes (who was taking the photo), Bill Bevins (night off) and Kathie Kroll (done for the evening), who is taking a position in the business department starting Dec. 1. Two faces who might not be familiar in the front row: Damon Sims, former sports clerk who is now the 4p.m.-1a.m. online editor, and Sarena McRae, the night police reporter. Also, the black sash-type accesory being worn by Felipe is a sling, the product of recent rotator-cuff surgery resulting from a fall last winter. No word on when he will be throwing off the mound again.

IDs: bottom row, from left: Sims, McRae, Proudfoot, Mary Ann Whitley.

2d row, Bill Benedict, John Spetz, Denise Ritter, Doug Kramer, Marty Sterpka.

3d row, Felipe Nieves, John Kuehner, Chris Raider, Joel Downey (behind her), Joe Hanak, Melodie Smith, Mike Mentrek.

Holiday fun, and a fundraiser, too!

The Guild is inviting PD retirees (both Guild members and former managers) to join them at their holiday gathering at the Town Fryer on Dec. 18th.

Brie Zeltner is looking for donations for a silent auction that will raise money for the folks who are laid off. So far she has photographers giving framed photos, knitters giving sweaters and afghans, people who have raided their gift closets, and hand-made jewelry, etc.

She is also happy to accept services. Debbi Snook may be donating a dinner. You can share your talents - a guitar lesson, golf lesson, a hayride at Rosie's farm. Use your imagination.

Contact Brie at bzeltner@plaind.com or brieskates@gmail.com.

Life after the PD

Jo Ellen Corrigan has launched a blog aimed at helping PD departees make the transition to life outside of the newsroom.

She's looking for tips, ideas, encouragement -- whatever you can contribute. Find the blog at:
http://1801zoned.blogspot.com/

It's a Tom Diemer book signing!!

Former longtime PD reporter Tom Diemer has a new book out on former Sen. Howard Metzenbaum and wants to invite current PD staffers or alums to a book-signing at NightTown on Jan. 11, 2009.

If interested please email Tom your mailing address. (Tdiemer@aol.com) The book, published by Kent State University Press, is called "Fighting the Unbeatable Foe : Howard Metzenbaum of Ohio, the Washington Years."

Holiday shopping alert!

Even though I have more time to get to the library these days, I still miss the PD book cart and all the treasures I found there.

Karen Long has generously extended an invitation to all PD alums to the annual Holiday Book Sale!!

It's Thursday, Dec. 11 from 3 - 5:30 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 12 from 9 to noon. Friday is 1/2 price day.

See you there!

Margie

Christine retires, Richard gets married

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008

For more photos from Christine Jindra's Retirement bash and wedding announcement
go to
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosebud/

Yes, Christine retired, and she and Richard quietly got
married the day before elections.