A major convention
By JIM WILLS
Last Friday, May 2, I attended the annual convention of the North Dakota Newspaper Association. Since I’m still a columnist, I could go representing the Gazette. I was there because I was due to receive a special award. More about that later.
My biggest surprise came early. I received the Gazette in the mail on Friday, shortly before my drive from Streeter to Bismarck, so I didn’t have time to read it.
During the Friday luncheon, I looked at the next table and saw a pretty blonde sitting with that group. She looked familiar. After a few seconds I realized it was Cheryl (Axt) McCormack, originally from McClusky and now living in Wilton. I walked over and talked to her, and she told me that she is now the editor of the Leader-News of Washburn.
Last time I saw her she was one of the CNA’s who took care of me when I was recovering from my stroke at the Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center. She said she wanted a job that involved writing. I was glad for her that she had the new job. The previous editor, Katie Jones, died last December.
After the luncheon, the awards for newspaper excellence were presented. Our editor, Allan Tinker, was there with her husband, Brian. Allan and the Gazette won a fair number of awards.
Later in the afternoon, we went to the North Dakota Heritage Center where a dedication ceremony for a digital kiosk was held in the auditorium. The kiosk has a touch screen and contains the list of members of the North Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame. I’m not one of them, but I’m glad to have known so many good newspaper people during my career.
