Register now for SPJ Region 1 Conference

Early-bird rates end March 1

With more than 20 programs and events and 40-plus top-notch speakers, the Society of Professional Journalists Region 1 Spring Conference, sponsored by the Press Club of Long Island and set for March 23-24 at Stony Brook University, is guaranteed to be exciting and informative event — not to mention an investment in your future.

In recent weeks we’ve added programs on social media, backpack journalism, reporting on disasters and tragedies, freelancing in a down economy and 18 of the most useful web tools for journalists. All that on top of an already-packed lineup.

To sweeten the deal, Hotel Chocolat is donating chocolate for a Friday afternoon break, while Megabus.com is offering free rides (for first 50 to sign up) from their locations to New York City stops and back for those coming from long distances.

Speakers will be on hand from The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Daily News, Newsday, FOX CT, The Boston Globe, Time, News 12 Networks, FiOs1, Patch and The Bergen Record, among other places.

So join us on March 23 and 24. We look forward to seeing you there.

SPJ names Keystone Pro among top three small chapters in America

Pennsylvania chapter wins ‘Outstanding Professional Chapter Award’

America’s oldest and largest journalism organization recently named one of its Pennsylvania chapters among the top three small chapters in the nation for its successful events and increased membership.

Last September, the Society of Professional Journalists’ Keystone Pro Chapter told Pennsylvania residents to “break out their old manuscripts.” The chapter hosted a HarperCollins executive and a New York City literary agent at the Scranton Cultural Center, and the speakers offered publishing tips for a book industry that’s grown pickier amid falling sales and scaled back print runs. The chapter hosted two award-winning journalists, who discussed how they survive as full-time freelance writers and work for large newspapers and magazines. More than 100 local residents attended the event, which aired on the local cable access station, ECTV.

And, in 2009, the Keystone Pro Chapter attracted more than 400 college students and community members to a four-part lecture series at the University of Scranton, Wilkes University and Bloomsburg University. During the events, decorated speakers — including NPR Executive Editor Dick Meyer and digital media pioneer Howard Owens — discussed the future of the media in the digital age.

During the last two years, the chapter has increased membership significantly, teamed with the Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion to create a high school essay contest and continued to run its popular statewide professional journalism contest.

According to SPJ:

“Outstanding Professional Chapter Awards salute chapters for overall excellence in supporting the Society’s missions, members and the profession. Up to three large and three small professional chapters are selected each year for recognition, with one in each category chosen as the chapter of the year. On the campus level, one chapter is selected from each of SPJ’s 12 regions, with one chosen as the overall campus chapter of the year.”

See SPJ’s full press release below:

Contacts:
Lauren Rochester, Awards Coordinator, (317) 927-8000 ext. 210, lrochester@spj.org
Andrew M. Scott, Communications Coordinator, (317) 927-8000, ext. 215, ascott@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS – The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to honor the South Florida and Rio Grande Pro chapters as the 2009-2010 SPJ Chapters of the Year.

Each year, the national organization honors two chapters, one large (75 or more members) and one small (fewer than 75 members), as overall chapters of the year. Additionally, up to four other large and small chapters may be recognized for overall excellence.

SPJ also recognizes one large and one small chapter for outstanding work during the previous year in five key areas: First Amendment and Freedom of Information activity; activities promoting diversity among journalists; campus relations and scholarship; professional development and continuing education; and chapter communication. These recognitions are Circle of Excellence awards.

Large Chapter of the Year

Among the South Florida Pro chapter’s accomplishments, it co-sponsored an “Ethics and the Media” conference for journalists, government officials and public relations professionals at the University of Miami. The chapter hosted many other programs over the year that focused on ethics, FOI, diversity and freelancing.

South Florida also held its annual Sunshine State Awards. The proceeds of the competition and awards event continue to fund the chapter’s scholarships, Legal Defense Fund and professional development programs throughout the year. In September, the chapter converted its database to Constant Contact and unveiled a new e-newsletter that currently reaches a substantial percentage of journalists at the major Florida news outlets.

Small Chapter of the Year

After 25 years of dormancy, the Rio Grande Pro chapter, also known as New Mexico Pro, made such a comeback this past year that it is on the verge of becoming the second largest chapter in SPJ’s Region 9. Much of the chapter’s growth stems from an active website and weekly e-mail. The chapter hosted FOI presentations by David Cuillier, offering free attendance for non-members who join SPJ national prior to the event.

The chapter succeeded in writing a proposal for a $2,500 grant for an ethics program. Two of the chapter’s officers and a board member hosted a table at a job fair put on by the University of New Mexico communications and journalism department, pitching SPJ membership to both students and faculty. The chapter unofficially said that its goal is to become the “hub, not merely a spoke” in New Mexico and West Texas journalism.

All outstanding chapters honored are:
Large — South Florida Pro, Cleveland Pro and Fort Worth Pro
Small — Rio Grande Pro, Southwest Missouri Pro, and Keystone Pro (Pennsylvania)

Students reflect on their high school experience in an essay

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Daniel Axelrod

 The U.S. Army and the Society of Professional Journalists’ Keystone Chapter teamed to provide students an opportunity to receive savings bonds for their higher education.

By Staci Cretu, Advertising and Public Affairs Chief, U.S. Army’s Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion

& Daniel Axelrod, President, SPJ Keystone Pro Chapter

Nearly 30 high school juniors and seniors throughout Pennsylvania recently answered the old question: “How has your high school experience prepared you for your future goals?”

Students explained their answers in the first-ever “Youth LDRSHIP (Leadership) Essay Contest,” sponsored by the Harrisburg Recruiting Battalionand the Society of Professional Journalists’ Keystone Pro Chapter.

First place winner, Jenn Hockenberry, wrote the following in her essay about her dedication to help people and do her best in the world:

“I’ve learned many important values like responsibility, time management and respect, but the most important thing that I think I have learned is duty and selfless service through my volunteer work.”

Hockenberry, a junior at Kittanning High School, will receive a $1,000 savings bond to use for her post-secondary education.  Her classmate, Shannon Walker earned a $500 savings bond by garnering second place, and Northern High School  junior, John “Jack” Krimmel who placed third will receive a $300 savings bond.

To answer the essay question, students had to include at least one of the Army’s Core Values – Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless-Service, Honor, Integrity, and, Personal Courage, in short form LDRSHIP.

“Living the Army Values means living to a higher standard,” said the Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Stephen Lockridge. “These students who won the contest certainly encompass what it means to live by these values through their volunteer work, integrity to accomplish their goals, and discipline and commitment to lead.”

Representatives from Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion and SPJ Keystone Pro Chapter judged and administered the contest, which was open to juniors and seniors living in the battalion’s western and central Pennsylvania territory.

Like the national society, the chapter promotes open government, freedom of speech and the practice of accurate, ethical, entertaining and informative journalism.

“A high school education is about more than learning how to read and write,” said Daniel Axelrod, the SPJ Keystone Pro Chapter’s president. “It’s about developing a value system and finding your place in the world. The SPJ Keystone Pro Chapter hopes these ambitious young adults become America’s next great writers.”

Representatives from the battalion and/or SPJ Keystone Pro Chapter will present the winners with their savings bonds during award ceremonies at their respective high schools.

To read all of the essays submitted, visit click here.

2011 Spotlight Contest Winners

The Keystone Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists proudly announces the winners of the 2011 Spotlight Contest.

“Unlike other contests, the Spotlight Contest has only two categories: Daily and Non-Daily,” said Susan Schwartz, contest coordinator. “That means if you win a category, you’ve beaten every other paper in that category in the state, regardless of size.”

Barbara Laker, Wendy Ruderman and Catherine Lucey, of the Philadelphia Daily News, won the journalism group’s most prestigious award, the Spotlight Award, given to journalists whose investigative stories scoop other media and put the public’s right to know in the spotlight, for their entry, “Behind the Philadelphia Housing Authority.”

The Citizens’ Voice won the SPJ chapter’s first Best Overall Daily Newspaper contest.

The Jewish Exponent won the Best Overall Non-Daily Newspaper contest.

SPJ leaders in Oregon judged the entries.

Winners will be able to collect their awards at a special reception at 5 p.m. May 21 during the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association’s Press Conference in State College.

Information on the Press Conference is available here.

 

Spotlight Award

First Place: Barbara Laker, Wendy Ruderman and Catherine Lucey, Philadelphia Daily News, “Behind the Philadelphia Housing Authority”

Second Place: Mary Ann Thomas, The Herald, “Freedom of Speech in Blawnox”

Third Place: Kris Mamula, Pittsburgh Business Times, “Drug Payments to Docs”

Best Overall Daily Newspaper

First Place: Staff, The Citizens’ Voice,

Second Place: Staff, Scranton Times-Tribune,

Third Place: Staff, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,

Best Overall Non-Daily Newspaper

First Place: Staff, Jewish Exponent,

Second Place: Staff, Pittsburgh Business Times,

Third Place: Staff, The Weekender,

Spot News Story, Daily

First Place: Brandie Kessler and Carl Hessler Jr., The Mercury, “Road Rage Shooter”

Second Place: Staff, Philadelphia Daily News, “Wreck on the River”

Third Place: Romy Varghese, Dow Jones Newswires, “Harrisburg to Miss $329M Municipal Bond Payment”

Broadsheet Page Design, Daily

First Place: Chad Sebring, Scranton Times-Tribune, “Troubled Promise”

Second Place: Craig Larimer, The Morning Call, “Golden Touch?”

Third Place: Tom Raski, Bucks County Courier Times, “Lifeguard”

Tabloid Page Design, Daily

First Place: Amy Randenbush, Philadelphia Daily News, “Any Given Tuesday”

Second Place: Michael Sisak, The Citizens’ Voice, “Friend Request”

Third Place: Michael Sisak, The Citizens’ Voice, “Scheme Team”

Tabloid Page Design, Non-Daily

First Place: Kathryn Morton, Central Penn Business Journal, “Currents – New Hope”

Second Place: Kathryn Morton, Central Penn Business Journal, “Anatomy of a Mover and Shaker”

Feature, Daily

First Place: Chris Togneri, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Not In Our Lifetime”

Second Place: Deborah Woodell, Philadelphia Daily News, “It’s the Bees Knees”

Third Place: Jo Ciavaglia, Bucks County Courier Times, “Christina Finds Her Voice”

Feature, Non-Daily

First Place: Sherri Kimmel, Dickinson Magazine, “The Jewish Journey”

Second Place: Carin Smilk, Jewish Exponent, “Islamophobia”

Third Place: Kit Feldman, Inside Magazine, “Doing Time, Keeping Faith”

Sports Story, Daily

First Place: Bob Frye, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Minorities Missing From Outdoors”

Second Place: Bernard Fernandez, Philadelphia Daily News, “Walking the Talk”

Third Place: Scott Brown, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Lifting Spirits”

Sports Story, Non-Daily

First Place: Eleanor Bailey, The Almanac, “Nothing for Granted”

Second Place: Jared Shelly, Jewish Exponent, “The Sage of Statistics”

Third Place: Ethan Lott, Pittsburgh Business Times, “Athletes vs. Executive Pay”

Enterprise Story, Daily

First Place: Sarah Hofius Hall, Scranton Times-Tribune, “NEIU”

Second Place: Brad Bumsted and Debra Erdley, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Critics: Judges’ Luxury Cars Slap at Taxpayers”

Third Place: Amanda Dolasinski, The York Dispatch, “Undetected Gunfire”

Enterprise Story, Non-Daily

First Place: Kris Mamula, Pittsburgh Business Times, “Big Pharma’s Deep Pockets”

Second Place: Eric Veronikis, Central Penn Business Journal, “Who Will Save the City?”

Third Place: Tim Stuhldreher, Central Penn Business Journal, “Bankruptcy Filing Links Fla. Crisis, Area Banks”

Editorial Writing, Daily

First Place: Guy Petroziello, Bucks County Courier Times, “Portfolio”

Second Place: Dave Janoski, The Citizens’ Voice, “5 Editorials”

Third Place: Mitchel Olszak, New Castle News, “Our Opinion”

Commentary, Daily

First Place: Ronnie Polaneczky, Philadelphia Daily News, “Columns”

Second Place: Christopher J. Kelly, Scranton Times-Tribune, “Columns”

Third Place: John Baer, Philadelphia Daily News, “Columns”

Honorable Mention: Bill White, The Morning Call, “Portfolio”

Headline Writing, Daily

First Place: Theresa Hegel, The Intelligencer, “Soar Spot”

Second Place: Doug Darroch, Philadelphia Daily News, “Goon with the Win!”

Third Place: Dave Janoski, The Citizens’ Voice, “The Public Refunder”

Headline Writing, Non-Daily

First Place: Michael Lello, The Weekender, “Franks for the Memories”

Second Place: Robert Weible, Times Express, “Turner’s Dairy Began with Three Cows and a Disagreement”

Third Place: Ethan Lott, Pittsburgh Business Times, “Athlete vs. Executive Pay”

Business and Labor Story, Daily

First Place: Laura Legere, Scranton Times-Tribune, “Dimock Divided”

Second Place: Amy Crawford, Tribune-Review, “Nemacolin Bolsters Staff with Foreign Workers”

Third Place: Romy Varghese, Dow Jones Newswires, “Harrisburg Payroll Woes Pile Onto Muni Concerns”

Honorable Mention: Romy Varghese, Dow Jones Newswires, “Harrisburg Starts Work on 2009 Audit, Just In Time for 2011”

Business and Labor Story, Non-Daily

First Place: Jim T. Ryan, Central Penn Business Journal, “Waiting For a Spark”

Second Place: Staff, Pittsburgh Business Times, “Help Wanted”

Third Place: Tim Stuhldreher, Central Penn Business Journal, “Works For Them”

Spot News Photo, Daily

First Place: Andrew Russell, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Candles, Prayer and Hope”

Second Place: Bill Fraser, The Intelligencer, “Snow Ride”

Third Place: Andrew Russell, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Not In Our Lifetime”

Honorable Mention: Jimmy May, Press Enterprise, “Pressure on Parties”

Spot News Photo, Non-Daily

First Place: Amy Spangler, Central Penn Business Journal, “Power Windfall”

Second Place: Joe Wojcik, Pittsburgh Business Times, “Big Winner”

Third Place: Bill Shirley, Penn-Trafford Star, “Fairy Wings”

Photo Story, Daily

First Place: Andrew Russell, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “An Unbreakable Bond”

Second Place: Andrew Russell, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “High Tech Hope Arises From Waste”

Third Place: Jimmy May, Press Enterprise, “Pressure on Parties”

Photo Story, Non-Daily

First Place: Lillian DeDomenic, Penn-Trafford Star, “Mended Little Hearts”

Sports Photo, Daily

First Place: Mark Moran, The Citizens’ Voice, “District DeLight”

Second Place: Art Gentile, Bucks County Courier Times, “District Tying Run”

Third Place: David Garrett, Bucks County Courier Times, “Double-Header”

Sports Photo, Non-Daily

First Place: Eleanor Bailey, The Almanac, “Unhappy Ending”

Second Place: Randy Jarosz, McKnight Journal, “Leading the Way”

Feature Photo, Daily

First Place: Jason Farmer, Scranton Times-Tribune, “Ben Hughes”

Second Place: Kim Weimer, Bucks County Courier Times, “Homeless Handshake”

Third Place: Steve Gengler, Bucks County Courier Times, “Crazed Fans”

Honorable Mention: Rick Kintzel, The Intelligencer, “Snow Lunch”

Feature Photo, Non-Daily

First Place: Randy Jarosz, North Journal, “Hot Diggity Dog”

Second Place: Lillian DeDomenic, Times Express, “Piping Hot Bird”

Third Place: Amy Spangler, Central Penn Business Journal, “Gaseous Effect”

Health and  Medical Story, Daily

First Place: Erin Nissley, Scranton Times-Tribune, “Doc Shortage”

Environmental Story, Daily

First Place: Andrew Conte and Timothy Puko, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Drilling Down: Marcellus Shale”

Second Place: Laura Legere, Scranton Times-Tribune, “Deep Impact”

Third Place: Christopher Baxter, Patrick Lester and Jarrett Renshaw, The Morning Call, “Dirty Little Secret”

Environmental Story, Non-Daily

First Place: Jewels Phraner, Ligonier Echo, “Texas Firm Cited for Stream Pollution”

Second Place: Tim Stuhldreher, Central Penn Business Journal, “Gaining Influence”

Third Place: Tim Stuhldreher, Central Penn Business Journal, “Waste Wealth”

Web Design, Daily

First Place: Staff, Scranton Times-Tribune,

Second Place: Michele Johnston, Sewickley Herald, “YourSewickley.com”

Web Use, Daily

First Place: Staff, The Citizens’ Voice, “Natural Gas Database”

Second Place: Trib P.M./Multimedia Team, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “What’s Killing Pittsburghers”

Third Place: Sarah Hofius Hall and Ted Baird, Scranton Times-Tribune, “Grading Our Schools”

Web Use, Non-Daily

First Place: Kris Mamula and Anya Litvak, Pittsburgh Business Times, “Big Pharma’s Deep Pockets”

Second Place: Staff, Pittsburgh Business Times, “School Guide Web Coverage”

Third Place: Staff, Central Penn Business Journal, “ListCentral”

 

2011 Spotlight Contest forms online

The Keystone State Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has posted the rules and application forms for the 2011 Spotlight Contest online at http://keystonespj.wordpress.com.

This year’s contest includes a new category: Best Overall Daily. It also cuts the price for the Best Overall Non-Daily category from $40 to $20.

“The Spotlight Contest is designed to recognize the best journalism by Pennsylvania journalists, regardless of the size of the publication,” said Susan Schwartz, contest coordinator. “It doesn’t matter if you work for an online magazine that gets a few hundred hits a day or a major metropolitan newspaper with a circulation over 100,000 — if you win Spotlight Contest award, you can say you took on every journalist in the state and won.”

SPJ members get $5 off the fee for each of their entries.

Awards will be given during the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association’s Keystone Press Conference in State College May 21.

Click here for the list of categories. You can download the entry form and rules here.

If you have questions, e-mail Schwartz at susan.s@pressenterprise.net or call her at (570)752-3646.

Will SPJ remain relevant in the digital age?

Media experts offer recommendations to SPJ to bridge divide between old and new media
 
CONTACT: Daniel Axelrod, SPJ Keystone Pro Chapter President
C: 978-855-8935, keystonespj@gmail.com
Full Strategic Report: http://spj.org/pdf/com/SPJ-DMC-Report-Final.pdf
 
America’s oldest and largest journalism organization must reimagine its offerings to stay relevant in the digital age. The Society of Professional Journalists should become the journalism industry’s premier source of information on the latest technology, newsgathering approaches and business models. And SPJ should unite new media start-ups in a national network to foster communication and innovation.  
 
Those are the top two of 10 recommendations in the SPJ’s Digital Media Committee’s new strategic report, “Will SPJ Remain Relevant in the Digital Age?” The independent committee, appointed by SPJ’s president, interviewed more than a dozen media experts to advise the 101-year-old, 8,200-member Society on how to stand out among more than 90 national journalism organizations.
 
The report’s interview subjects include: media analyst Ken Doctor; Joshua Benton, Nieman Journalism Lab; Josh Breitbart, New America Foundation; author Clay Shirky; Pulitzer Prize winners Wendy Ruderman and Barbara Laker, Philadelphia Daily News; former Seattle Times executive editor Mike Fancher; digital media pioneer Howard Owens, Washington Post National Innovations Editor Mark Luckie; Jay Rosen, New York University; Tom Rosenstiel, Pew Research Center; media analyst Alan Mutter; Rick Edmonds, Poynter Institute; and Mark Briggs, author of “Journalism2.0.”
 
“The Society of Professional Journalists needs to raise its profile on digital media issues,” said Daniel Axelrod, the SPJ DMC’s 2009-10 vice-chairman and the report’s lead author. “SPJ can better journalism and serve its members by publicizing what works in the digital age, creating a network for new media journalists and advocating for an open Internet.”
 
In the new report, the SPJ DMC recommends that the Society:
1. Bridge the divide between new and old media by aggregating and spotlighting high-quality journalism and facilitating communication among online start-ups and legacy media.
2. Create a vibrant network for new media start-ups to share ideas online and in person.
3. Become an advocate for expanding access to the Internet, news and information.
4. Teach reporters to use powerful emerging technologies.
5. Educate members and citizens in the basics of information-gathering and storytelling.
6. Engage the public in a dialogue about the purpose, value and standards of journalism.
7. Train new media start-ups in entrepreneurial journalism.
8. Teach journalists and their managers the theories behind new media technologies.
9. Ensure SPJ staff and leaders are hyper-literate in digital journalism trends and theories.
10. Poll members to learn and address journalists’ needs, and track the industry’s direction.
 
Besides the SPJ DMC’s work advising the Society, the committee published a two-part “Digital Media Handbook” filled with training tips on new media. Part I of the handbook is available at http://scr.bi/9QPKr2 and users can access Part II at: http://scr.bi/ap55aI.
 
Learn more
The Society of Professional Journalists Digital Media Committee strives to shape SPJ’s positions on new media and help journalists stay employable. For more information on the new report, “Will SPJ remain relevant in the digital age?” or to interview its expert contributors, e-mail keystonespj@gmail.com or call Daniel Axelrod at 978-855-8935. To learn more about SPJ DMC, visit http://blogs.spjnetwork.org/tech.

HarperCollins editor, literary agent and award-winning journalists to share publishing tips in Scranton

Speakers to discuss publishing books & writing for papers and magazines

SCRANTON, PA (Aug. 25, 2010) – Break out that old manuscript. A HarperCollins executive and a New York City literary agent will visit Scranton to offer publishing tips for a book industry that’s grown pickier amid falling sales and scaled back print runs. And two award-winning journalists will discuss how they survive as full-time freelance writers finding work with big-city papers.

The four speakers are part of “Earn Money the Write Way: How to Become a Professional Writer,” a symposium sponsored by The Society of Professional Journalists’ Keystone Pro Chapter. The event is set for 7 p.m., Sept. 23 in the Scranton Cultural Center’s Casey Library.   

HarperCollins’ editor Cal Morgan and Jon Sternfeld, an agent specializing in literary fiction and narrative nonfiction for the Irene Goodman Literary Agency, will speak about becoming a published author. New York City-based writers Julia Dahl and Michael Luongo will follow with an 8:15 p.m. discussion about freelancing. 

Morgan, vice president and editorial director for Harper Perennial, Harper Paperbacks and It Books and executive editor at the Harper hardcover imprint, and Sternfeld will speak at an especially difficult time to author a traditionally published book. The Association of American Publishers estimated U.S. book sales fell 2 percent between 2008 and 2009, and publishers printed 15 percent fewer fiction titles amid stagnant overall production, according to the ISBN issuer Bowker. Yet, the 10 largest publishers remain kingmakers, producing 74 percent of all traditional print titles in 2009 despite the growing popularity of digital books and self-published works. 

At the SPJ symposium, Morgan will touch on his experiences with an array of bestselling authors during more than 20 years in publishing. Sternfeld will draw on the lessons he’s learned working at an agency that has represented authors who have appeared on the top best-seller lists more than 120 times. 

The publishing business isn’t the only industry in transition in the digital age. Competition to write for large print media companies is fierce as publications shed pages and reporters. Luongo has succeeded as a travel writer and a war correspondent writing for major papers and magazines such as The New York Times and National Geographic. Dahl, a former editor at Redbook and Marie Claire, has contributed to numerous national publications from The Boston Globe and the San Francisco Chronicle to O and Seventeen magazines. 

For more information

For interviews with the speakers or more information about the SPJ Keystone Pro Chapter, email keystonespj@gmail.com or call Dan Axelrod at 978-855-8935. 

About SPJ Keystone Pro Chapter

The SPJ Keystone Pro Chapter covers nearly all of Pennsylvania, and promotes open government, freedom of speech and the practice of accurate, ethical, entertaining and informative journalism. It also runs a popular statewide journalism contest and hosts journalism events throughout the year. The chapter is currently seeking individuals interested in serving as officers.

Open Records talk scheduled

Reporters, editors and members of the public can learn both about the state Right to Know Law, the federal Freedom of Information Act, and skills for getting officials to give you the information you need without having to go to court during a free seminar at Wilkes University from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 29.

Speakers include David Cuillier, freedom of information chairman for the Society of Professional Journalists, and Audrey Buglione, an attorney with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.

Cullier has been providing Freedom of Information newsroom training since 2005 and teaches at the University of Arizona. The former journalist is a co-author of “The Art of Access: Strategies for Acquiring Public Records.”

Buglione is an appeals officer with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, the new state office that handled 1,159 of appeals — mostly from citizens — in 2009, the first year the new state Right to Know Law came into effect. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Widener University School of Law.

For more information or to RSVP, contact aseaman@spj.org.

2010 Spotlight Contest Winners Announced

The Keystone Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is proud to announce the winners of the 2010 Spotlight Awards contest.

Entrants competed against all other entrants in either the daily or non-daily category, regardless of circulation.

For the Spotlight Award, dailies and non-dailies of all sizes competed against each other. The award, which honors reporting that brings the importance of open government into the public spotlight, is the most prestigious that the Keystone Pro Chapter offers.

All winners are invited to the free awards reception and ceremony at 5 p.m. May 15 at the Harrisburg Hilton during the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association’s annual PRESS Conference.

More information about the conference is available here.

Spotlight
First Place
Eric Veronikis and David Dagan
Central Penn Business Journal
Capitol View Coverage Series

Second Place
Tim Darragh and Steve Esack
The Morning Call
Risky Business

Third Place
Daniel Axelrod
Scranton Times-Tribune
Code Blue

Honorable Mention
Borys Krawczeniuk
Scranton Times-Tribune
Bob Mellow

Best Overall Weekly Newspaper
First Place
Staff
Jewish Exponent

Second Place
Brian Estadt
Penn-Trafford Star
Three Editions

Third Place
George Taylor and Staff
Bethlehem Press

Spot News Story, Daily
First Place
Staff
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
“Most Tragic Day”

Second Place
Bob Kalinowski, Erin Moody and Michael Sisak
The Citizens’ Voice
Accused Killer in Custody

Third Place
Jennifer Miller
Daily Local News
State of Emergency

Spot News Story, Non-Daily
First Place
Staff
The Almanac
Senseless Tragedy

Second Place
Bryan Schwartzman
Jewish Exponent
Saligman Saved as Merger Deal Comes Undone in 11th Hour

Third Place
Jen Colletta
Philadelphia Gay News
Obama Extends Benefits to LGBT Federal Employees

Broadsheet Page Design, Daily
First Place
Bob Sanchuk
Scranton Times-Tribune
Presidential Prelude

Second Place
Evelyn Short
The Reporter
State Champs

Third Place
Staff
The Times Herald
Dogs on Death Row

Tabloid Page Design, Daily
First Place
Michael Sisak
The Citizens’ Voice
Deadly To-Do List

Second Place
Michael Sisak
The Citizens’ Voice
Card Shark

Tabloid Page Design, Non-Daily
First Place
Kathryn Morton
Central Penn Business Journal
Your Slice of Stimulus

Second Place
Tim Gough
Philadelphia Weekly
Mortal Combat, Birther, Ghetto Gag Order

Feature, Daily
First Place
Phil Gianficaro
The Intelligencer
Tiny but Tall Profile in Courage

Second Place
Jo Ciavaglia
Bucks County Courier Times
The Greatest Gift He Never Asked For

Third Place
Mike Wereschagin
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
In Life, Death, They Are Brothers

Honorable Mention
Stephanie Farr
Philadelphia Daily News
Philly’s “Moon Tree” Not Long for this World

Feature, Non-Daily
First Place
Tara Murtha
Philadelphia Weekly
Traffick Stop

Second Place
G.W. Miller III
Philadelphia Weekly
Aggregated Assault

Third Place
Mike Newall
Philadelphia Weekly
Ghetto Gag Order

Sports Story, Daily
First Place
Steve Esack
The Morning Call
Yard by Yard

Second Place
Marcus Hayes
Philadelphia Daily News
Making It Big

Third Place
Carl Prine
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Rough Course

Sports Story, Non-Daily
First Place
Bill West
The Signal Item
Keeping a Head: Teams Offer High-Tech Helmets

Enterprise Story, Daily
First Place
Wendy Ruderman and Barbara Laker
Philadelphia Daily News
Tainted Justice

Second Place
Daniel Axelrod
Scranton Times-Tribune
Code Blue

Third Place
Michael Sisak
The Citizens’ Voice
Incarcerated Businessman Had Access at Courthouse

Honorable Mention
Laura Legere
Scranton Times-Tribune
Small Town, Big Trouble

Enterprise Story, Non-Daily
First Place
Staff
Jewish Exponent
Tough Times Hit Home Series

Second Place
David Dagan and Jim T. Ryan
Central Penn Business Journal
State of the Unions

Editorial Writing, Daily
First Place
Dave Janoski
The Citizens’ Voice
Portfolio

Second Place
Mitchel Olszak
New Castle News
5 Editorials

Third Place
Stan Huskey
The Times Herald
Portfolio

Editorial Writing, Non-Daily
First Place
Lisa Hostein
Jewish Exponent
Portfolio

Second Place
Sarah Blazucki
Philadelphia Gay News
Selections

Third Place
Christopher K. Passante
Central Penn Business Journal
Selections

Commentary, Daily
First Place
Eric Heyl
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Portfolio

Second Place
Christopher Kelly
Scranton Times-Tribune
Columns

Third Place
Mitchel Olszak
New Castle News
Dear Reader

Commentary, Non-Daily
First Place
Walter M. Brasch
Spectrum Features Syndicate
Wanderings

Second Place
Mark Segal
Philadelphia Gay News
Mark My Words

Third Place
Eleanor Bailey
The Almanac
Strong and Still Smiling

Headline Writing, Daily
First Place
Dave Janoski
The Citizens’ Voice
Fit to Be Tried

Second Place
Jacob Michaels
The Morning Call
Cowed by Rain

Third Place
Tamara Dunn
The Citizens’ Voice
Prison Barber Accused of Taking Too Much Off the Top

Headline Writing, Non-Daily
First Place
Robert Weible
Times Express
Terminally Still – Columnist Embarks on Not-So-Fancy Flights

Second Place
Michael Elkin
Jewish Exponent
Sundays with a Cherub on Top

Third Place
Zandy Dudiak
Times Express
Short and Tweet

Business and Labor Story, Daily
First Place
Jessica D. Matthews and Staff
Scranton Times-Tribune
Outlook ’09

Second Place
Wendy Ruderman and Barbara Laker
Philadelphia Daily News
Dreams In Ruins

Third Place
Staff
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
G-20 Coverage

Business and Labor Story, Non-Daily
First Place
Staff
Pittsburgh Business Times
Spending the Stimulus

Second Place
Brian McManus
Philadelphia Weekly
Monopoly Rules

Third Place
David Dagan with David Taylor
Central Penn Business Journal
The Road Ahead

Spot News Photo, Daily
First Place
Tom Kelly IV
Daily Local News
Last Respects

Second Place
Jason Farmer
Scranton Times-Tribune
Rescue

Third Place
Kristen Mullen
The Citizens’ Voice
“Kids for Cash” Victim

Honorable Mention
Tom Kelly IV
Daily Local News
Fleetwood St. Homes Burn

Spot News Photo, Non-Daily
First Place
Joe Wojcik
Pittsburgh Business Times
G-20 Security

Second Place
Joe Wojcik
Pittsburgh Business Times
A Crime to March?

Third Place
Lillian DeDomenic
Norwin Star
Footloose

Photo Story, Daily
First Place
M.J. Mahon
Press Enterprise
A Day in Prison

Second Place
Jimmy May and M.J. Mahon
Press Enterprise
Downtown Inferno

Third Place
Jimmy May
Press Enterprise
PIAA State Swimming

Photo Story, Non-Daily
First Place
Joe Wojcik
Pittsburgh Business Times
Barber Shop

Second Place
Michael Persico
Philadelphia Weekly
Get the Led Out

Third Place
Lillian DeDomenic
Plum Advance Leader
Watershed Seeks to Unmuddy Waters

Sports Photo, Daily
First Place
Jason Bridge
Valley News Dispatch
Crash Course

Second Place
Carl Kosola
The Intelligencer
Half Body Squeeze

Third Place
Dave Lloyd
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat
Run Away

Honorable Mention
Dave Scherbenco
The Citizens’ Voice
Still Kickin’

Sports Photo, Non-Daily
First Place
Eleanor Bailey
The Almanac
Fight to the Finish

Second Place
Lillian DeDomenic
Murrysville Star
Let’s Try That Again

Feature Photo, Daily
First Place
David Lloyd
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat
Future Olympian

Second Place
Kristen Mullen
The Citizens’ Voice
Victory King

Third Place
Geoff Patton
The Reporter
After the Storm

Honorable Mention
Mark C. Psoras
The Reporter
“Paws” for a Doughnut

Feature Photo, Non-Daily
First Place
Joe Wojcik
Pittsburgh Business Times
Framed

Second Place
Amy Spangler
Central Penn Business Journal
Young and the Motivated

Third Place
Lillian DeDomenic
The Times Express
Moon Over Monroeville

Health and Medical Story, Daily
First Place
Andrew Conte and Luis Fabregas
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Failure to Inform

Second Place
Jo Ciavaglia
Bucks County Courier Times
Handcuffed by Healthcare

Health and Medical Story, Non-Daily
First Place
Matt Getty
Dickinson Magazine
A Pound of Prevention

Second Place
Jen Colletta
Philadelphia Gay News
Researchers: Gays Excluded From Clinical Trials

Third Place
Valerie Newitt
Advance for Nurses
A Life Reclaimed

Environmental Story, Daily
First Place
Laura Legere
Scranton Times-Tribune
Deep Pockets: Natural Gas Drilling

Second Place
Christopher Baxter
The Morning Call
Business as Usual

Third Place
Evan Brandt
The Mercury
Quarry Quagmire

Environmental Story, Non-Daily
First Place
David Dagan
Central Penn Business Journal
Pollution’s Expense

Second Place
Paula Holzman
Central Penn Business Journal
Taking Root

Web Design, Daily
First Place
Staff
Scranton Times-Tribune

Second Place
Ed Fischer, Tom Raski and Morgaine Ford-Workman
Bucks County Courier Times
Bucks Reality Web Site

Third Place
Chris Stanley
The Reporter
TheReporterOnline.com

Web Use, Daily
First Place
Sarah Hofius Hall
Scranton Times-Tribune
Grading Our Schools

Second Place
William Loeffler, Christine Zirngibl, Justin LaBar and Steve Segal
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The Great Race

Third Place
Jason Lanza, Andy Conte and Luis Fabregas
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Kidney Transplantation

Web Use, Non-Daily
First Place
Staff
Pittsburgh Business Times
G-20 Web Coverage

Four Pennsylvania journalism contests accept entries

SPJ, PAPME, PNA, PWPA to honor winners at PA Press Conference

From an investigation into hospitals performing questionable liver transplants to stories on Luzerne County judges jailing kids for cash, the Society of Professional Journalists honored some of the finest newspaper writing in Pennsylvania last year.

The Keystone Pro Chapter of SPJ is once again accepting entries from newspapers, magazines and online publications for the chapter’s prestigious Spotlight Contest, but entries must be postmarked by January 31.

Contest applications are available at: www.spj.org/pdf/regionpdf/keystone_09.pdf or via the Keystone SPJ contest Blog, which will list winners at: http://keystonespj.wordpress.com/

The Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association and the Pennsylvania Women’s Press Association also are accepting entries for their respective journalism contests. Each contest considers work published from Jan. 1, 2009 to Dec. 31, 2009. Details include:

Contest	Deadline for postmarked entries	Contest Web sites
Pennsylvania APME News Excellence Competition	January 22, 2010	www.papme.com/contest.aspx
PNA’s Keystone Press Awards	January 22, 2010	http://www.pa-newspaper.org/web/2005/09/keystone_press_awards.aspx
PWPA Newswriter of the Year Contest	February 13, 2010	http://www.pwpa.us/pwpa_contest.htm
Keystone Pro SPJ Spotlight Contest	January 31, 2010	www.spj.org/pdf/regionpdf/keystone_09.pdf

Entrants need not be a member of these four organizations to participate in their contests. The groups will present their awards during the 2010 Pennsylvania Press Conference on May 14-15 at the Hilton Harrisburg, One North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.

The two-day conference — which offers insights on building readership, writing a better story, redesigning pages and managing newsrooms — is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Society of Newspaper Editors, PAPME and the PWPA. 

For more information on the Keystone Pro SPJ Chapter and its contest, contact Susan Schwartz, chapter vice president, at 570-752-3646 or susan.s@pressenterprise.net

For more information on the conference visit: www.pa-newspaper.org/Core/Events/eventdetails.aspx?meeting=PRESS10 or call Teresa Shaak, PNA’s Manager, Association Projects, at (717) 703-3086.

About the Keystone chapter: The Keystone Pro SPJ Chapter’s territory encompasses all of Pennsylvania except Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which have their own chapters. Like the national Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone SPJ strives to “promote the free flow of information, protect First Amendment freedoms, uphold high standards of ethical behavior and foster excellence among journalists.” To join SPJ, visit www.spj.org/joinapp.asp