Egger to Philadelphia Inquirer

According to Crane's, "Terry C.Z. Egger — the former publisher of The Plain Dealer who led the city’s effort to secure the Republican National Convention — has been named publisher of the parent company of the Philadelphia Inquirer."

Here's the link:

www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150824/NEWS/150829909/terry-c-z-egger-to-become-publisher-of-philadelphia-inquirer-parent

Recalling Hurricane Andrew

Today, Aug. 24, 2015,  marks the 23th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew.

On the 20 year anniversary (2012), Bill  Lucey, a former Plain Dealer library assistant, posted a Q & A with former Miami Herald editor Doug Clifton. 

http://www.newspaperalum.com/2012/07/20-year-anniversary-of-hurricane-andrew-a-q-a-with-doug-clifton.html

July 31 alumni luncheon

PD Editorial Retirees & Expatriates

Casual unstructured lunch troupe

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

Spouses and guests are always welcome

 Luncheon July 31, 201 

NEXT LUNCHEON:  Noon, Friday, July 31, 2015

PLACE: Shula’s 2 at the Doubletree Hotel, 6200 Quarry Lane, Independence

Take I-480 to I-77 South. Exit at Rockside Road and turn left at light. Turn right at Bob Evans restaurant and proceed up the road to the hotel. Ample parking. 

MENU: We will be ordering off the Express Lunch Menu – all items $8.99, plus beverages and desserts. Gratuity will be added to the check.   Entrees include such items as Cobb Salad, Meatloaf Sandwich, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Soup and Salad special and burgers.

RVSP by Tuesday, July 28

Patti Graziano is filling in for Jo Ann and Janet. Contact her at 216 741-6532 or pgraziano@roadrunner.com.

Bob Roach died

Bob Roach, who retired in 1994 after 46 years at The Plain Dealer, died.  He was 95.  His last position at the PD was as Friday Magazine editor.

Here's the death notice from the paper:


ROACH ROBERT W. ROACH, age 95. Beloved husband of 53 years to the late Beverly (nee Masch); dearest father of Brian (wife Laura); loving grandfather of Olivia and Samuel Roach. Bob was a Marine Corps Veteran of World War II. He was a graduate of Adelbert College, Western Reserve University. Bob worked for the Cleveland Plain Dealer for 46 years, retiring in 1994 as an editor. He had a lifelong love of tennis and a fondness for his '71 Chevy Malibu convertible. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in memory of Bob to the Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110. Funeral Service Monday, June 29, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the SCHULTE & MAHON-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 5252 MAYFIELD RD., LYNDHURST (BETWEEN RICHMOND AND BRAINARD) where the family will receive MONDAY, ONE HOUR PRIOR TO SERVICE TIME. Interment Aurora Cemetery. Please sign Guest Book at: www.schultemahonmurphy.com - See more at: http://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?pid=175170669#sthash.EB5aw5Nz.dpuf

Got news?

Come on PD alums. We know you are up to something. So send us your news.
Traveling, gardening, moving? We're listening.
With art, please.

Millie Matteucci dies

Always smiling Millie Matteucci died June 13, 2014 at the Hospice of the Western Reserve from lung cancer.  She was the wife of former PD artist Vince Matteucci. She worked in features, mostly on the TV book.  She was the Zelda  often in the late Janet McCue's columns. She and Vince loved Las Vegas.

Here's the death notice:

Millie Matteucci (nee Vedova) age 81. Dearly beloved wife of Vincent, loving mother of Anne Agozzino (Joe, deceased), Terry Koch (Doug), Toni Hyland-Romell (Rich Romell) and Gina Moore (Dan); adored grandmother of Lia Pickel (Micah), Charlie Agozzino, Rocky Agozzino, Lee Koch, Christian Koch, Danny Hyland (Michelle), Michael Hyland (Alicia), Vincent Hyland, Terry Hyland, Alex Moore, and Molly Moore and great grandmother of seven; dear aunt, cousin and friend of many. FAMILY WILL RECEIVE FRIENDS THURSDAY 4-8 PM AT CORRIGAN CRACIUN FUNERAL HOME, 20820 LORAIN RD., FAIRVIEW PARK. Relatives and friends are asked to meet for a Funeral Mass Friday at 10 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 6928 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. Inurnment St. Joseph Cemetery in Avon. Family suggests donations to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church or Hospice of the Western Reserve. Online condolences at www.craciunfuneralhomes.com

Send Flowers

Praise for Grandfather Darrell Holland

Emily Holland has written a piece on the Huffington Post about her grandfather Darrell Holland and the lessons she learned from this adventurous soul.  Darrell was The PD's religion writer.

Read  "6 Lessons my Adventurous Grandpa Taught Me About Life," at this site:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emily-holland/lessons-from-grandpa_b_7418200.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living&ir=Healthy+Living

Comment from Richard Ellers, retired PD reporter:

"Every Grandpa should have a Granddaughter like you, Emily.fr 

    You have a good way with words, probably inheirited."

A little late but ...

Here's a link to the very well written obit about obit writer Alana Baranick who died April 10, 2015.

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2015/04/alana_baranick_brought_the_dea.html

And from the Chronicle Telegram:

An opportunity to extend your sympathies to the family of Alana Baranick will be held from 4 P.M. until 7 P.M., Saturday, May 16, 2015, at the Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst, Ohio 44001.

Alana was born December 12, 1949 near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the town of New Eagle and grew up in Monroeville. Eventually she moved to the Cleveland area. Chattanooga, Tennessee had been her home for the last 2 1/2 years. She worked locally at the Cleveland Plain Dealer from 1992 until 2008 where she excelled at writing obituaries. She co-authored a book with Jim Sheeler and Stephen Miller entitled “Life on the Death Beat: A Handbook for Obituary Writers.” Alana went on to write a regular column for the Elyria Chronicle Telegram called, “The Dash Between,” which ran from November 2009 until February 2012. Alana lost her battle with cancer April 10, 2015 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her art and craft of detailing the lives of those we have loved and lost will be greatly missed.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sons and their wives, Zack and Hollie Baranick of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Michael and April Baranick of Amherst; as well as two grandchildren.

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 24, 2015

PLACE: Carrie Cerrino’s Restaurant, 8922 Ridge Road, North
Royalton

MENU: Order off menu, including lunch plate specials: chicken, trout, eggplant Parmesan and shrimp cakes. $9.25 to $11.25. Check web page for more information and directions.

 RSVP by Tuesday, Jan. 21.

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

or Janet French (216) 221-2318 or email jabfr519@cox.net

Pauline Thoma dies

Pauline Thoma, who worked as a reporter for The Plain Dealer for 24 years and retired in 1993, died Sunday, Feb. 8.  She was 96. Her newspaper career spanned 57 years, including years at the Press.  She was among the group that started the quarterly  lunches for retirees.  She was also treasurer of the Press Club for 21 years and inducted into its Hall of Fame.

Services will be Saturday, Feb.14. Calling hours will be 1-3  p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Friday Feb. 13. at Busch Funeral Home, Fairview Park.

Here's the link to the obit:  http://buschfuneral.tributes.com/obituary/read/Pauline-J.-Thoma-102176236

January 30 is the next PD alumni luncheon

PD editorial retirees, alumni and spouses  are invited to gather  Jan. 30, 2015  at  noon  for lunch at the Emperor's Palace, 2136 Rockwell Ave., Cleveland. That's in the Old Chinatown area behind PD. Free parking across the street. 

You can order off the Lunch Combination Plate menu.  Most are $6.95 or $7.95 with choice of Rice and a Spring Roll.

    Please RSVP  by Tuesday, Jan. 28 to   JoAnn Pallant (440) 734-1923 or japallant@sbcglobal.net or Janet  French   (216) 221-2318 or jabfr519@cox.net

Luncheons are on the last Fridays of January, April, July and October.

Bill Woestendiek, former editor, dies

Ron Rutti's obit of Woestendick is on cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- William Woestendiek, executive editor of The Plain Dealer in the 1980s, died today in Arizona.
Woestendiek, 89, was living in a nursing home outside Mesa, said a stepdaughter Maurita Thomas. His wife, Bonnie, lives in a different facility not far away.
Woestendiek came to The Plain Dealer as editorial page director in 1982. He had been executive director at the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson. The Plain Dealer at the time said it was going to expand its editorial page offerings to allow for more diverse viewpoints with the closing of the Cleveland Press.
The editorial pages were very opinionated and never boring under Woestendiek, with the pieces sometimes unleashing the fury of those it offended.
He hired, or helped get hired, several people from Arizona to newsroom positions at The Plain Dealer.
"Bill was a very good man to work for -- a no-nonsense, hard-nosed, strong-willed newspaperman with great instincts for a story," said Kevin O'Brien, the PD's current deputy editorial page editor, who often ruffles feathers in his column.
"When he thought he was right, he dug in his heels, and he expected the people who worked for him to do the same," said O'Brien, who arrived at the PD from Arizona. O'Brien said he is in debt to Woestendiek for determining his professional life.
In 1984, Woestendiek was named executive editor of the PD, and expanded the paper's investigative and in-depth reporting at a time when the industry still was heavily influenced by the national reporting of the Watergate scandal.
"A newspaper shouldn't be above its readership -- not aloof and arrogant," Woestendiek said during a City Club forum in 1983. "It should be opinionated, even outrageous, but it should be sensible, informative, controversial and above all, fair."
He left the PD and became director of the journalism school at the University of Southern California in 1988. He held that position until 1994.
The Arizona Daily Star won a Pulitzer Prize while Woestendiek was at its helm. Earlier, he was managing editor of the Houston Post when that paper was awarded a Pulitzer.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Other survivors include two sons, a daughter, and a step-daughter.
Plain Dealer news researcher Jo Ellen Corrigan contributed to this report.

New PD Editor

By  Robert L. Smith, The Plain Dealer 
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on January 05, 2015 at 4:17 PM, updated January 09, 2015 at 8:59 AM

0

Reddit

The Plain Dealer newsroom moved last year from The Plain Dealer Building at 1801 Superior Avenue into a space in Tower City Center.Robert L. Smith/The Plain Dealer 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- George Rodrigue, the former managing editor of The Dallas Morning News and a television news executive in Dallas, will be the next editor of The Plain Dealer.
His appointment was announced Monday afternoon by Advance Publications, The Plain Dealer's New York-based owner. Rodrigue, 58, replaces Debra Adams Simmons, who left the newsroom last April to accept a corporate position with Advance.
Rodrigue brings a strong journalism background to Cleveland's leading news source. Before jumping to television in September, as assistant news director at ABC affiliate WFAA-TV, he was the long-time managing editor of The Dallas Morning News and a Pulitzer Prize winning reporter.
He also worked as vice president of the Washington Bureau for Belo Corp.'s newspapers and TV stations and as executive editor of Belo's Press-Enterprise, a newspaper in Riverside, California.

George Rodrigue Dallas Morning News 

He comes to a Plain Dealer that has suffered deep staff cuts and an end to seven-day home delivery. It's also a newspaper with a great heritage, a strong staff and a bright future, Rodrigue said.
He said he enjoyed his brief foray into television news but that he saw a rare opportunity to lead a first class newsroom. He becomes editor of The Plain Dealer January 19.
"The Cleveland job was something I just couldn't turn down," he said. "I value the work that a good newsroom like that does. I'm looking forward to getting back to that."
Steven Newhouse, chairman of Advance's digital arm, Advance.net, said he interviewed Rodrigue and believes he has the experience and passion to guide the newspaper through challenging times.
"It's the reality of 2015 that we've got to start to achieve the same level of excellence with a lot less resources. There's no getting around that," Newhouse said. "He's got the experience and the knowledge to put together hard-hitting, quality journalism. I think he will do well under the constraints we're all dealing with."
In August of 2013, The Plain Dealer laid off about one third of its newsroom staff, most of which is represented by Local One of the Northeast Ohio Newspaper Guild. The Guild fell to fewer than 100 members, from a high of nearly 400 just a few years ago.
Advance split its Cleveland news operation into The Plain Dealer and the Northeast Ohio Media Group. The new, non-union NEOMG has been allowed to grow while The Plain Dealer staff has continued to shrink.
Newhouse said he could not say if Rodrigue would be allowed to boost The Plain Dealer with new hires.
"I really can't speak to the internal Plain Dealer situation," he said.
Newhouse said Rodrigue reminds him of former Plain Dealer Editor Doug Clifton, another Pulitzer winning journalist who prized quality writing and insightful stories that helped the region to address a quiet crisis.
Wendy McManamon, the president of the newspaper guild, agreed that Rodrigue's credentials are impressive.
"He sounds like the kind of strong, responsible journalist that we welcome," she said. "I don't know what his options are. We know Advance calls the shots. I hope he makes it the kind of place people want to stay. I hope he'll be vocal and I hope he'll be supportive of strong journalism."
Rodrigue said he intends to assess where The Plain Dealer can "add value" to the community, but that any expansion must make commercial sense. He plans to get to know Cleveland and The Plain Dealer before he embarks on any changes.
"I've got to hear from lots of folks there before I have my own theories sized up against reality," he said. "Folks inside and outside of the newsroom."
In an interview, Rodrigue emerges as a versatile journalist steeped in traditional values.
"A lot of the work that's had success online takes the same values that led to success in print," he said.
Rodrigue started as a reporter for The Dallas Morning News in 1983 before becoming city editor, European bureau chief (stationed in Berlin and Moscow) and a member of the paper's Washington bureau.
He won two Pulitzer Prizes while at The Dallas Morning News, and the newsroom won a third Pulitzer under his leadership.
He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and a former Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, where he focused on economics and law. He's married to Wendy Meyer, a landscape architect and fellow UVA graduate. They have two grown children.
His Cajun French surname, pronounced "rod-REEG," is common in southern Louisiana, he said. Though new to Northeast Ohio, his son is a Kenyon College graduate and he's familiar with the region.
He said he and his wife look forward to making a home here.
Robert L. Smith covers economic development for The Plain Dealer 

Harry West dies in Las Vegas

Here is a remembrance  editorial assistant  Sue Klein wrote about Harry West.

I wanted to share some sad news with everyone. If you have been at The Plain Dealer longer than 2000, undoubtedly you crossed paths in some capacity with Harry West and Janet McCue. Janet died in 2003,  Harry passed away yesterday in Las Vegas, he was 89. 

 Janet and Harry retired in 2001, after more than 40 years in the business. Janet was the award winning fashion editor, and Harry was the women's editor, the copy desk chief and when he retired, he was the deputy features editor. Janet was a larger-than-life personality and Harry was happiest basking in her glow. He was Janet's biggest champion and gushed at her every success.  He was the subject of many columns written by Janet, scrutinizing his style sense or lack there of. Harry was born and raised in Mansfield. He was a navy man, serving his country, and,  he was a damn fine newspaper man. 

Harry loved to play golf, in fact he bought me a set of lefty clubs and patiently tried to teach me to play. He would try not to yell every time I lifted my head up and tried to hit the ball like it was a hockey puck. I never learned to appreciate the game, but I loved the countless hours I spent on the courses with him.

 He loved to travel, especially to Hawaii and Las Vegas. He loved to gamble – especially keno. I was out visiting  him in 2005, and he hit on keno five times that day winning over $5,700. He was generous to a fault. Always picked up the check and was insulted when anyone attempted to pick it up.

He wore loud Hawaiian shirts as a badge of honor. He wore a pocket square, hell, He wore whatever Janet told him to wear. He was kind,  funny, charming and smart as can be. 

Harry loved all Cleveland teams. I was sitting next to him September 8, 1995 when the Indians hoisted the Central Division championship flag. Janet paid a fortune to a ticket broker to make sure we were at that game. He drove an hour with me on Sunday afternoons to Freemont, Ohio to watch blacked out Browns games. When Bernie Kosar was released, it was a week before my birthday. Bernie signed with the Dallas Cowboys days later, and for my birthday, Harry bought me an authentic  #18 Bernie Kosar Cowboys jersey.

Harry won't get an obit, because we don't do obits much any more, but he deserves one. He was not just my boss, he was my second father,  and he was my beloved friend, and I'm sad that I will have to live in a world without him. The greatest peace I find in his death is that he is reunited with Janet. He's probably singing her the polka he wrote, drinking a glass of red wine and grinning from ear to ear that he is with his girl again.

 Rest in Peace you kind, gentle soul.

Thank you for your indulgence.

Harry Dale West – November 15, 1925 – December 22, 2014.

OCTOBER LUNCHEON SET

PD Editorial Retirees & Expatriates

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

Spouses and guests always welcome

                     NEXT LUNCHEON: At noon, Friday, Oct. 31, 2014.

P             PLACE: Kumo Japanese Seafood Buffet (formerly Hong Kong Buffet)

                  1975 Snow Rd., across the street from Midtown Mall in Parma.

Take I480 to State Road, go south to Snow, turn left (east). Just past the new Parma library, enter the parking lot south of Snow between Burger King and Park 'N Eat. Kumo is at the south end of the lot, west of Giant Eagle.

     MENU:  Japanese and Chinese food, from dim sum and sushi to teriyaki, tempura and ice cream. Prices are under $10 plus beverage.

     RSVP by Tuesday, Oct. 28, 

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

Janet  French   (216) 221-2318 or jabfr519@cox.net

Al Andrews buried today, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014

Al Andrews had a splendid sendoff at a graveside service this morning conducted by a priest who reminded me (Margie)  a bit of Al. Then we gathered at Panera to share Al stories and ponder the meaning of "curator" and the future of journalism. Berea Animal Rescue accepting memorial donations. Remember Al's squirrel story?

Here's the death notice: 

ALBERT C. ANDREWS Jr.

ANDREWS ALBERT C. ANDREWS, JR. age 93, retired Journalist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, beloved son of the late Florence (nee Bishop) and Albert Andrews, Sr., loving brother of the late Henry Andrews and Marion Figge. Passed peacefully October 3, 2014. He is, survived by his best friend Bob Porter, the friends who joined him for birthdays at "Mikes" and the caregivers who lovingly made sure he was comfortable. NO VISITATION. Graveside Service, Tuesday, October 7 at 10 am at Woodvale Cemetery, 7535 Engle Road, Middleburg Heights, Ohio. ARRANGEMENTS BY BAKER-OSINSKI-KENSINGER FUNERAL HOME, BEREA, OHIO. Anyone so inclined would honor Albert by donating to the Berea Animal Rescue. Online condolences at www.bakerfuneralberea.com. Albert was a gentle, gentle man. He was a thinker, a writer, an artist and a true lover of animals and nature. He was dedicated to his work and loved the life of a reporter, which led him to wordily places and allowed him to meet and interview a wide variety of people. Albert, had a wonderful sense of humor, was kind and loved chocolate and Necco Wafers. He was a story teller for those who were lucky enough to be given a chance to listen or read about his accounts. No more sniffles, Albert......we'll miss you!

- See more at: http://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?n=albert-c-andrews&pid=172694902&fhid=2612#sthash.ChJDjOFa.dpuf

Harry's son

Former PD features editor Harry West's son, Dale McClain West, died in his sleep recently. If people want to send a note to Harry, his address is: Harry West, 5353 W. Desert Inn Road, #1049, Las Vegas, NV 89146. t Dale worked at the PD for a short time as a copy aide.

Dick Gluszek, former PD promotion director

Dick Gluszek, who was a promotion director for the PD, died Aug. 31 and was buried Sept.8, 2014.

Here's the death notice:

RICHARD A. GLUSZEK, age 78, served in the Army National Guard with the rank of  Second Lieutenant, and retired as a Promotion Manager from the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Beloved husband of Stella (nee Wojtaszek), married 59 years, loving father of Rick (Martha), Lynn Gory (Russ), Patti Slack (Joe) and Sandi Borod (Steve), dear grandfather of Rick III, Randy, Lisa (David), Stacie, Jeffrey, Danielle, Jonathan, Hayli, Madison and the late Donnie, brother of Jean Daniels, Ron, Eugene  and George Gluszek and the late Robert Gluszek. Funeral Mass, Monday, September 8 at 10 am at St. Mary Magdalene Byzantine Church, 5390 West 220^th Street, Fairview Park, Ohio, 44126 (meet at the church Monday morning). Friends may call SUNDAY FROM 5-8 PM AT BAKER-OSINSKI-KENSINGER FUNERAL HOME, 206 FRONT STREET, BEREA, OHIO. Family suggests memorial contributions to Cleveland Clinic, Hospice at Home, 6801 Brecksville Road, Independence, Ohio, 44131.

Jane Scott docu fundraiser Sept. 15

Mary Anne Sharkey is selling

25 tickets  for the program comemorating the Beatles' 50th anniversary appearance in Cleveland. The proceeds are going to produce the Jane Scott documentary headed by Michael Heaton and Tom Kelley. The tickets are $40 to see the Beatles top cover band and Michael Stanley. The night will re-enact the Beatles' play list on the evening of September 15, 1964 at the House of Blues. Be there, or be square!  

Dayton lunch

Former reporter Tom Quinn and former copy editor Steve Esrati invite you and yours to join them for lunch at the Amer Rose  in Dayton at noon  on  Friday, Sept. 5.