Dan Biddle, author

Former Plain Dealer reporter and all-around great guy Dan Biddle (and some other guy) wrote a great book called "Tasting Freedom" about the early days of the civil rights movement. I just spent a week with Dan and Cindy Roberts and they are lovely as ever.
You can go here to read some excerpts or skip to the bottom of this message to get to the link to amazon.com if you'd like to order the book. Spread the word about the book.. I'm sure Dan will be in Cleveland for a book signing one of these days. I'll keep you posted. - Jack Hagan

http://www.temple.edu/tempress/titles/1839_reg.html

This just in!

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Look who we ran into

Lots of former PD people were spotted Sat. night July 31, 2010 at a birthday party for Sue Zimmerman, former free lancer for the PD now teaching at KSU.
Former bureau chief George Condon Jr. right, of Washington, D.C. was back in town visiting his father who was in the hospital. George is now with Congressional Daily since Copley closed its Washington Bureau.
With Sue Zimmerman, right, is Betsy Lammerding, retired Beacon Journal deputy features editor.,
Below them is former reporter Tom Andrzejewski, now a media consultant, and Terry Pederson, former Living editor and now a writer for a Cleveland Clinic publication. Wilma Salisbury, former dance critic, sits with Tom A. Former photographer Diana McNees didn't have a camera but Paula Slimak, former reporter, did. Bob McAuley chats with Doug Kramer, who still works at the PD as a copy editor.
Also there were Jim Cox, former PD reporter and now a media consulant, and Jim Darr, who works for the Bond Accountability Commission which works with Cleveland Schools.

A Tinker sighting in central Pennsylvania!

Former PD infographics artist Virginia Tinker Brace stopped by Philipsburg, Pa., for a visit with former PD photographer Curt Chandler and his wife Stacie. Tinker was in the area for a reunion at her alma mater, Lock Haven University. Tinker lives in Fredericksburg, Va., with her daughters Ali and Emma and works for Capital One Finance in Richmond, Va. Curt and Stacie both work at Penn State University, where he teaches multimedia reporting and she works in the Intensive English Communication Program.

Latest lunch

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, July 30

PLACE: Nighttown, 12387 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights

(top of Cedar Hill)

COST: $20.50, includes salad, non-alcoholic beverages, tax and tip.

CHOICES: Roasted Duck Breast Salad (baby greens, shallots, walnuts)

Dublin Lawyer (lobster and mushrooms in whiskey sauce)

Grilled Vegetable Plate

Hamburger Plate

RSVP by July 23

Janet Beighle French (216) 221-2318, or jbfr519@sbcglobal.net or

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

PD book sale July 8-9

Thousands of books, music CDs, books-on-CD -- as well as a few movies and TV series DVDs --will go on sale July 8th and 9th in the second floor community room.

The sale will run from 3-5:30 p.m Thursday, July 8 and from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, July 9. Prices will hold steady at $3 hardcover and $2 paperbacks. The second day is half-price (meaning a hardcover, retailing for as much as $30-$35, will be available for $1.50). Proceeds go to the United Way.

We have hundreds of children's books, including some classics, best-sellers in fiction and nonfiction, as well as new authors to take a chance on. We have romance, poetry, science fiction, mystery and graphic novels. We have cookbooks, history, biography and memoir. We also have hundreds of books on CD for those long car trips -- which we sell for $8, retailing for as much as $45-$50.

Here is your chance to contribute to charity and scoop up some bargains. See you there.

Karen Long

Richard Kendzierski, 79, dies

Richard Kendzierski, who directed The Plain Dealer's commercial photographers for 29 years, died Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at the Hospice of the Western Reserve from complications of cancer. He retired in 1994. He took over the ad photo department in 1970 and led it until it merged with news photography. He became a news photographer until his retirement.

Kendzierski shot breaking news and sports but specialized in portraits and feature shots, especially of food.

For the full obituary click on:www.cleveland.com/obituaries/index.ssf/2010/06/richard_kendzierski_led_the_pl.htm

A Toast To Ted

Reader rep Ted Diadiun joined the ranks of the retired on Friday, May 28, with a gathering of friends and family at the Rock Bottom Brewery.

At right, Ted reveals the secrets of his success to colleagues Bill Mickey and Tom Breckenridge.



See more photos from the party at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mNLAaWsUtc

Zina's back in town

From Zina Vishnevsky:

I'm back in Ohio this summer, but only one week in Cleveland, for Cleveland Clinic stuff. The rest of the time will be spent in the little town I call home, Malvern, OH.

So, to celebrate wrapping up at the CCF, there will be a happy hour corner for me and my friends at Sergio's on Shaker Square. It's 5:00 -6:30pm. Friday June 11. Be there or you don't care!

Jane Scott celebrates 91st

From Reader Rep. Ted Diadiun's day note:

" JANE SCOTT: 91 AND STILL GOING STRONG
Our ageless former colleague Jane Scott celebrated another birthday on Monday (, May 1, 2010 ) and (photographer) Peggy Turbett was there with her camera. ...Coincidentally, I was looking up something from 1970 on microfilm recently, and happened across some of Jane's work. Everyone knows that Jane covered the rock scene in Cleveland during that time (and of course for years before and after), but I had forgotten that she simultaneously wrote a column for senior citizens during those years. I can remember reading her work around then when I was in college, and thinking how odd it was that the paper would have such a young person writing the seniors column in addition to the rock coverage. She was, uh, 51 at the time. "

To drop her a note, her address is: Jane Scott

Ennis Court
13323 Detroit Ave,
Lakewood, Ohio 44107.

Regina Brett book tour

Want to get your personalized copy of Regina Brett's "God Never Blinks"?

Check out this list of her upcoming book signings in the Cleveland area. Warning: Some of these events are already sold out, so make your reservation early.

She is drawing a big crowd wherever she goes. Book stores are seeing brisk sales. Borders in Westlake sold out of their first shipment in two hours!

Here's where to find her:
http://www.reginabrett.com/news_speaking.php

May 4th, 40 years later

The Press Club of Cleveland presents:

“May 4th, 40 Years Later - Reporters Who Were There”

May 4th, 2010 from 7:45- 9AM
KIVA Student Center, Kent State University’s Main Campus.

Hear from the reporters who were there,
May 4th, 1970 as they discuss the 13 seconds of gunfire that
changed the campus forever.

Mike Roberts
Former City Editor of the Cleveland
Plain Dealer
Author of “13 Seconds: Confrontation
at Kent State”
Currently with Cleveland Magazine

Chuck Ayers
Kent Stater photojournalist,
Former cartoonist with the Akron
Beacon-Journal,
Current nationally syndicated
cartoonist of “Crankshaft”.

Jan Leach
Former Akron Beacon-Journal
Managing Editor
Current Kent State Journalism
Professor.

John Filo
Pulitzer Prize winning
photographer for his iconic May
Fourth photo
Currently with CBS.

Bob Carpenter
Former WKSU and
WKNT radio reporter

It's spring luncheon time, Friday April 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, April 30
PLACE: Champps Americana, 5989 Canal Road, Valley View
North of Rockside Road, behind Hoggy’s Barn and Grille, which fronts on road.
From north, Interstate 77, to U.S., 21 south exit to Ohio 17, east to Canal Road south.
Luncheon Choices (generous portions):
Cobb Salad: mixed greens, chicken ,bacon, eggs. avocado, cheeses. olives, roll for $10.29
Parmesan Crusted Chicken: vermicelli with marinara sauce and soup or salad for $10.29
Champps Cheeseburger: Angus beef, turkey or veggie burger with everything for $8.99
California Turkey Wrap: tomato tortilla with turkey, bacon, avocado, tomato, provolone and tomato vinaigrette, side of pasta salad for $9.99
Special diets accommodated

RSVP by April, 22 to Janet Beighle French (216-221-2318) or jabfr519@sbcglobal.net
or Jo Ann Pallant (440-734-1923) or japallant@sbcglobal.net

Anyone remember Ron Kaye?

PD reader rep Ted Diadiun asked that question in his daily morning note to the editorial department. There's an interview with Kaye, now a blogger in the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles.

Ted notes: "Kaye got a job with the Cleveland Plain Dealer as a copy boy, making $60a week. He moved up the ranks quickly, and became a reporter on the police beat, working 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. He loved the lifestyle, theatmosphere. "When I got off of work, the bars were closed and we'd go to some Greek joint, and we'd drink till dawn and play liar's poker. Drinking shots with all these guys that were crippled by the Korean War, who were wonderful, amazing journalists, filled with great, legendary stories andwho played a very different game than anyone would play today. They would steal papers off of cops' desks. They would do anything get an angle. To take the story away from the other guys. So it was a great education."

Here's a link to the whole piece: http://blogs.uscannenberg.org/neontommy/2010/04/citizen-kaye.html



If you remember him, send a comment.

Dianne Griggs, calm among the chaos

Cheerful, unflappable Dianne Griggs, secretary to editorial editors Brent Larken and Mary Anne Sharkey, died Tuesday at the Hospice of the Western Reserve after fighting cancer for seven years. She was 62.

Services will be at noon Tuesday, April 20 at Church of the Master, 4050 Monticello Blvd., Cleveland Heights OH 44120.

You can read the whole obit at:

www.cleveland.com/obituaries/index.ssf/2010/04/dianne marie griggs_kept_the_p.html

Paul Baumgartner found dead

Paul Baumgartner covered bowling, harness racing and more for The Plain Dealer

Visitation will be Monday April 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. A memorial service will be conducted by the officers and members of the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame there at 7:00 p.m. Additional visitation will take place on Tuesday in First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sixth St. and Washington Avenue, from 10 a.m. until time of funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Jimmy Madsen and Reverend Dr. Linwood H. Chamberlain, Jr., Co-Pastors of the church will officiate. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst Township.

The family encourages you to consider memorial contributions to the Lorain County Free Clinic, 3323 Pearl Avenue, Lorain, OH 44055.

To leave private on-line condolences for the family please visit www.gluvna.net.

By Grant Segall

April 07, 2010, 3:43PM

Sheffield -- When he wasn't covering sports, Paul Baumgartner liked to play, coach, officiate and honor them.

"Bummy" covered Lorain County scholastic sports, pro bowling, Northfield Park and more during 35 years at The Plain Dealer. He won several awards and led civic groups.

Baumgartner, 75, was found dead Tuesday, April 6, at home in Sheffield. Officials he died sometime between Sunday morning and Monday morning. For the rest of the PD obit click on: http://www.cleveland.com/obituaries/index.ssf/2010/04/paul_baumgartner_covered_bowli.html

The Morning Journal in Lorain also led the local section with a nice obits: http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2010/04/08/news/mj2566733.txtt

Bill Hickey remembered

Bay Village -- Bill Hickey claimed to have taught a famous singer to sing, roomed with a famous actor and covered a Korean football game called the Sake Bowl.

This much is sure: Hickey, who died Friday, March 19,2010, at age 83, wrote several books, churned out countless articles, won many awards and made many friends during 36 years at The Plain Dealer.

The journalist and goodwill ambassador staged shot-putting tournaments, judged a "Most Pleasant Voice" contest for receptionists, underwent charity roasts and filled in for an ailing Bob Neal on an Indians' broadcast. He also reviewed restaurants under the pen name of Forchette Escargot and called the cafeteria of the rival Cleveland Press "efficacious."

Hickey died at his long-time home in Bay Village from complications of cancer.

For the rest of Grant Segall's Hickey obit click below:

http://www.cleveland.com/obituaries/index.ssf/2010/03/bill_hickey_was_a_plain_dealer.html

Hatch is back

After several years in his home town of Altoona, Pa., former PD reporter and Guild Executive Secretary Steve Hatch is returning to Greater Cleveland. Rumor has it that after being a night club owner (and chef and bouncer and customer), he developed a proprietary formula for men's grooming products and started an online business to market them. He's moving his growing business empire back to Northeast Ohio. His email is shatchsr@gmail.com.

David Dugan, Irma's husband, dies

David R. Dugan, 93, husband of former PD garden editor Irma Bartel, died March 1, 2010, after a lengthy illness.



He had served as Lake County deputy nursery inspector, a Cornell University extension specialist and, in 1956, he became president of the family-owned and operated Dugan Nurseries, Inc., in Perry, Ohio. The wholesale nursery, consisting of more than 200 acres in Lake County, was founded by his father and uncle in 1919 and continued in operation until 1992.



Memorials may be forwarded to St. Thomas Lutheran Church, or to Judson Retirement Park, 2181 Ambleside Drive, Cleveland, OH 44106, where he and Irma lived.


A memorial service for Mr. Dugan will be at 1 p.m. March 14 at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 21211 Detroit Road, Rocky River, Ohio, with visitation prior to the service from noon to 1 p.m.

Who are these guys?

Found in an old file drawer, this photo taken by Frank Reed, on July 29, 1977 when they held a party for the closing of the old jail at Cleveland Central Police State at 2007 Payne Ave. Lots of PDers served at the police beat through the years. A bunch attended the party. It looks like Don Bean (white shirt) is aghast at something Dennis Kuchinich (suit) said. Was he the mayor at the time? That's the late Bill Miller to the left of Dennis. Johnny Reese, the late PD assistant city editor is to the right of Dennis. We also see Tom Quinn in those lovely plaid pants. Smiling behind Bill Miller is Andy Juniewicz, left, and John Coyne, right.

If you can identify others in the photo, please send us a note.

Bill Fenton sez "guy on the extreme right and front in black shirt is Henry (Hank) T. Jacques.
He graduated BG 1957 or '58 and was a reporter at PD. He left about the time I got there ('66). I vaguely recall he went to Blue Cross/Blue Shield or Medical Mutual and possibly bounced into government after that. I knew him from my BG News days."

.