NMPW Board

Christine Burroughs
NMPW President
(505) 844-0948
E-mail Chris

Emily Drabanski
NMPW Vice President
(505) 827-6392

Diana Sandoval
President
Albuquerque Press Women
(505) 237-1434

Julie Hughes
President
Las Cruces Press Women Chapter
E-mail Julie

The Broadsheet

New Mexico Press Women   July 2004   Vol. 27 No. 4

NMPW Convention Rocks!

Two years ago we weren't sure NMPW had a pulse. In May Press Women roared back to life with a convention that was both fun and stimulating. We saw old faces and new faces and returning faces and youthful faces. It wasn't the same old convention but rather a meeting tuned to the changing needs of the membership. In terms of workshops, we bet all our money on one pony, and Paula LaRocque delivered a lively and informative workshop. UNM's SUB surprised us with a classy spread at the opening night reception, which got us off to a good start. And David Dunaway was in fine form with an excellent program at the awards banquet. (See member Carolyn Gonzalez's story about him below.)

As Sandy Schauer said, "This conference will go down in the history books. Of course many of us have already reached the stage where we are historical." Sandy also says we're solvent. Your worthy convention committee gambled that people would cough up to hear LaRocque, so we could cover her fee. And we couldn't have done it without our sponsors.

The final count was 29 full registrations, 60 writing workshop registrations and 57 banquet attendees. We consider it a respectable turnout and expect to do better next year.

Cheers to the convention committee: Susan Walton, Pari Noskin Taichert, Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, Sherry Robinson, Tracy Ingalls, Sandy Schauer and Janet Ford. Susan gets an extra round of applause for being the clean-up hitter - the person who picked up all the chores and duties that fell through the cracks and doing it cheerfully.

The silent auction grossed about $1200, including about $175 from the jewelry sale. Proceeds go to the NMPW scholarship fund, and scholarship chair Laurie Mellas-Ramirez assures us there are many worthy scholarship candidates out there.

Thanks to all of you who contributed jewelry. This was something new this year and it proved to be fun and a pretty good little fundraiser. As Pari said when she looked at the table, "I need more jewelry like a tomato needs a haircut." We were all in the same fix, but we went home with a piece or two anyway.

And thanks again to our sponsors: Sandia National Laboratories, Hirst Córdova Public Relations, First State Bank, and The Albuquerque Journal. The University of New Mexico provided in-kind services, and Belew's Office Supply discounted white binders for convention materials.

Thanks also to member Lynne Yaple, who with husband Rick, runs Taos Cards near Journal Center. Lynne contributed cards for the silent auction, registration bags and speaker gifts. (If you're in need of some very classy cards, stop by their shop at 7216A Washington NE.)

We found that rounding up handouts for the registration bags wasn't so easy, but when you're in a pinch, you can count on another women's group! In this case, our thanks to the local chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and their members: Focus Ink, Nebark Courier, Dermatologist Janice Moranz, DeAnne Morgan> at Liberty Mutual, and Rebecca Chaney of La Posada de Albuquerque. And thanks for other bag items to Tracy Ingalls of First State Bank, Anne Monson at Lovelace and Denise Tessier at the Albuquerque Journal.

Northern NM Chapter to Begin

More good news. A few years ago we were discouraged to see the Santa Fe and Taos chapters fold. Well, they're back in a new form. Kathy Cordova, Emily Drabanski and Anne Hillerman are organizing a northern New Mexico chapter.

The first meeting is at 11:30 a.m. July 31 at the historic hacienda, Los Luceros near Española. It's an opportunity to get together and plan future events. The chapter plans to meet quarterly in various locations in northern New Mexico.

Meet in the River House and order off the menu ($8-12) for lunch and afterwards get a tour. A $5 admission charge will cover the tour. Dress comfortably and bring your walking shoes.

The meeting is open to members and potential members. Friends or family can eat in the cafe and join a tour after the meeting. Members from other chapters, consider attending to show support and also to experience a wonderful old place. And, who knows, maybe there's a story here!

Historic Los Luceros is on the Rio Grande at Alcalde, eight miles north of Española on Highway 68. Watch for green directional signs on Highway 68 that lead to County Road 0048. Los Luceros has a café, art gallery and bookstore. For information call 505-852-3245. For information about the chapter or the July meeting call Emily Drabanski at 505-827-6392 (days) or 505-438-0347 nights.

Kathy for their leadership in this."

NMPW Actions

Members elected officers during the convention's business meeting. President Chris Burroughs and treasurer Sandy Schauer are just having so much fun, they agreed to stay on, and their arms don't hurt too much at all from subtle twisting. New officers are Emily Drabanski, vice president, and Susanne Burks, secretary. Emily once masterminded NMPW's ambitious legislative workshops, and we're delighted to see her active again. Susanne did such a bang-up job as the Albuquerque chapter's secretary that we recruited her for state duties. Thanks to outgoing secretary Susan Walton and VP Melissa Sais.

NMPW has gained 15 new members since the beginning of the year. And the new Web site is up, designed by The Great E-Scape and has already produced calls, says Chris. Thank you for checking us out.

Contest Wazir Connie Gotsch tells us we had 156 contest entries, up from 130 last year, and 64 entrants, up from 35 last year. Of the 156 entries, there were 41 firsts, 37 seconds, 25 thirds and 22 honorable mentions. And this year's judging went off without any hitches or glitches, although Connie plans to hunt up a new state to exchange entries with (one in the West, we hope, where they understand our issues and our stories).

Outgoing Albuquerque chapter president Lynne Behnfield Thomas reports that the Albuquerque chapter is thriving, with more members and a bigger treasurer than last year. New officers are Diana Sandoval, president; Dan Mayfield, vp and program chairman; Denise Tessier, secretary; and Carol Kreis, treasurer.

Zia Award honcho Marti Segura had five entries. Judges chose Judith Van Gieson's Shadow of Venus as the winner. Judith gave a terrific presentation during the convention.

Scholarship good fairy Laurie Mellas-Ramirez agonized over seven well qualified applicants, lost sleep for two weeks and finally chose two who most loved the profession. She'd like to have a bigger pot to award more scholarships.

High School contest committee members held a judging party at a beautiful and historic house in Santa Fe, reports Kathy Cordova, whose niece Christina Romero was co-chair along with Vanessa Baca. The host, Steve Griego, was one of her former journalism students. Kathy cleverly recruited as judges people who might join the new northern chapter.

Kathy was also this year's Communicator of Achievement. Watch the national newsletter for her bio. Congratulations!

Newsletter editor Sherry Robinson reports that we have one when she's not sick or in the grip of the medical establishment. Sorry for lateness!

NMPW Announces 2004 Contest Winners

Connie Gotsch, of KSJE-FM in Farmington, and Crosswinds Weekly were the individual and institutional high-point winners in the 2004 New Mexico Press Women annual communications contest.

Others individual high-point winners were Beverly Merrick, second, and Bernadette Smyth, third, both of New Mexico State University. Other institutional winners were NMSU, second and the Santa Fe New Mexican, third.

This year's contest drew 156 entries from 64 people in categories that included reporting, editing, advertising, public relations and books.

Here are the winners in individual categories:

News Reporting, non-daily: First and second, Stuart Overbey, Crosswinds Weekly; third, Kristen Davenport, Crosswinds Weekly.

News reporting, daily: First, Julie Ann Grimm; second, Geoff Grammer; third, Deborah Davis, all of the Santa Fe New Mexican.

News reporting for general or specialized publication: First, Janet Long Ford, ASRT Scanner; second, Chris Burroughs, Sandia Lab News; third, Phaedra Haywood, Pecos Valley Insert of the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Continuing Coverage: First, Staci Mattlock, Santa Fe New Mexican; second, Amanda Noonan Heyman, Rio Grande Sun.

Investigative Reporting: First, Amanda Noonan Heyman, Rio Grande Sun, second, Staci Mattlock, Santa Fe New Mexican.

Special Series: First, Katie Buford, Albuquerque Journal; second, Deborah Davis, Santa Fe New Mexican; third, Lynn Cline, Pasa Tiempo.

Editorial, non-daily: First, Wally Gordon, Edgewood Independent; second, Denise Tessier, Mountain View Journal.

Special publications: First, Bernadette Smyth, NMSU Panorama.

Features, non-daily: First, C. H Persson-Reeves; second, Pari Noskin-Taichert; third, Lisa Polisar, all of Crosswinds Weekly.

Features, daily: First, Geoff Grammer, and second, Julie Ann Grimm, both of the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Features, magazine: First, Lynn Cline, Pasa Tiempo; second, Emily Drabanski, New Mexico Magazine; third, Rachael Gallagher, NMSU Panorama.

Personality profile: First, Sharon Kayne, Crosswinds Weekly; second, Sherry Robinson, Western Writers of America Roundup; third,Amanda Noonan Heyman, Rio Grande Sun.

Special articles, arts: First, Lisa Polisar, Crosswinds Weekly; second, Connie Gotsch, Farmington Daily Times and Dayna Griego, The Ink; third, Beverly Merrick, Custer County Chief, and Cathy Robbins, Crosswinds Weekly.

Special articles, health: second, Carole Tashel, Crosswinds Weekly. Education: First, Beverly Merrick Custer County Chief; second, Steve Lawrence, Crosswinds Weekly; third, Kathryn Cordova, La Herencia. Science or environment: First, Christine Burroughs, Sandia Lab News; second, Amanda Noonan Heyman, Rio Grande Sun.

Special articles, food: First, Elliot Essman, Crosswinds Weekly; third, Beverly Merrick, Custer County Chief. Government and politics: First, Sherry Robinson, Crosswinds Weekly; third, Kathryn Cordova, Saddle Baron/Taos Historical Society.

Special articles, reviews: First, Michael Amundsen, Crosswinds Weekly; second, Julia Miller, Crosswinds Weekly; third, Pari Noskin Taichert, Albuquerque Tribune. Social issues: First, Kent Paterson, Crosswinds Weekly. Travel: First, Staci Matlock, Santa Fe New Mexican.

Columns: Humorous: First, Sharon Kayne, Crosswinds Weekly. General column: First, Beverly Merrick, Custer County Chief; second, Wally Gordon, Edgewood Independent. Informational: First, Karl Kaplan, Crosswinds Weekly. Specialized: First, Phaedra Haywood, Santa Fe New Mexican; second, J. Scott Key, Crosswinds Weekly, and Deborah Davis, Santa Fe New Mexican; third, Pari Noskin Taichert, Albuquerque Tribune.

Page regularly edited by entrant,nondaily: First, Bill Gallagher, Crosswinds Weekly. Single page edited by entrant, nondaily lifestyle: second, Karl Kaplan, Crosswinds Weekly. Section, nondaily: second, Sherry Flanagan, Santa Rosa News; third, Karl Kaplan, Crosswinds Weekly.

Editing, specialized publication: First and second, Carol Kreis, Newsweek Education Program; third, Diana Sandoval, New Mexico Bar Association. Publication regularly edited by entrant, nondaily: Second, Wally Gordon, Edgewood Independent; third, Barbara Belknap, Sandoval Sign Post.

Editing, general or specialized magazines: First, Emily Drabanski, New Mexico Magazine; second D.D. Wolohan, American Society of Radiologic Technicians; third, Mary Conrad, UNM Alumni Magazine.Editing, daily: Second, Jennifer Swanson, Albuquerque Journal.

Headlines: Second, Denise Tessier, Albuquerque Journal. Original Graphics: third, Britt Gallagher, Crosswinds Weekly.

Editorial Cartoons: second, Marty Mentez Edgewood Independent.

Photography, nondaily news: second, Thelma Bowles, Edgewood Independent. Feature: third, Frank Martin, Edgewood Independent. Sports: third, Frank Martin.

Radio report: Second and third, Connie Gotsch, KSJE-FM in Farmington; third, Angela Taylor, KSFR in Santa Fe. Special Program, Radio: First, Connie Gotsch; second, Ron Chapman, KUNM. Investigative/special report, radio: First, Kent Patterson, KUNM. Personal Column, radio: First, Ron Chapman. Interview, radio: Connie Gotsch.

Writing for the Web, for-profit organization: First, Kathryn Cordova, Universal Axis. Campaign, institutional image: First, Heather Feldman, Regent Fellowships, NMSU. Single-sheet poster: Second and third, Rachael Gallagher, NMSU.

Advertising, magazine, one-to-four-color: Second, Bernadette Smith, NMSU Panorama.

Newsletter, one to three colors: First, Julie Hughes, Page One, NMSU; third, Janet Long Ford, Las Noticias. Four-color: First, Julie Hughes, Page One.

Brochure: First, second and third, Bernadette Smith, NMSU.

Public relations, single release: First, Julie Hughes, and second, Jeany Llornte, both of NMSU.

Public relations, media kit: First, Sherry Robinson, West Wood Realty.

Speeches: Second, Kimberley Batty-Herbert, Clovis Community College.

Short Story: First, Connie Gotsch, DLSIJ Press.

Book of creative verse: Second, Beverly Merrick, Nebraskaland Commuter Press.

National Winners Announced

Contest Czar Connie Gotsch tells us NMPW had a great showing in NFPW competition. Of 23 first place entrants forwarded to national, 14, or 60 percent got at least one award. We had 9 first places, 5 second places, and 4 third places. (Several people got more than one award.)

They are Ron Chapman, first, 27A; Elliot Essman, third, 8F; Janet Long Ford, third, 1C; Connie Gotsch, first, 64, third, 24A, first 25A, second 28A; Geoff Grammer, first 6B; Julie Ann Grimm, second, 1B; Phaedra Haywood, second, 9D; Julie Hughes, second, 54B; Sharon Kayne, third, 9A; Frank Martin, first, 17C; Stuart Overbey, first, 1A; Caroline Reeves, first, 6A; Sherry Robinson, first 8G and second, 56; and Bernadette Smyth, first, 5C.

Congratulations to all, especially Connie, who not only manages this monster project each year but distinguishes herself in it as well. Also thanks to Connie for devising a way to speed along the presentations at the awards banquet while retaining the dignity of everyone's moment in the spotlight.

A Big Welcome to New Members

We're pleased to welcome these ladies to the fold: Eleanor Sanchez, who for years kept the UNM Public Affairs Department ticking, now holds forth at the UNM Visitor Center; Jacque Boyd, of Angel Fire; Sarah Salazar, who recently graduated from ENMU and attended the convention; and Marissa Stone, a reporter for the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Jacque Boyd is a freelance writer specializing in aviation, particularly women involved in aviation. "I just made a permanent-relocation to Angel Fire after having spent the past 22 years in the Fort Worth, TX area. Since 1989 I've written maternity policy and benefit procedures for airlines, corporations and universities with female pilots within their ranks. My latest project involves the American women who went to England to fly for the British Air Transport Auxiliary in WWII. I have my pilot's license and also write a continuing Current Issues column for Aviation for Women, a magazine for women in the aviation world."

Sarah said she enjoyed the convention so much, she plans to recruit more members. She's a familiar face to Sandy Schauer and former state president Ellie Syvertson, who have known Sarah's father for years.

Marissa Stone covers the Northern New Mexico region that includes Rio Arriba County and eight pueblos north of Tesuque. Marissa, who previously worked at the Rio Grande Sun, has been with the New Mexican for three and a-half years. She was born is Los Alamos Stone, now lives in Chimayo (she grew up here and in Miami Beach) and speaks fluent Spanish. Her hobbies include hiking and cooking.

And we're encouraged to see these returning members: Ree Strange Sheck, who is now assistant editor of the Santa Fe New Mexican's art section; Emily Drabanski, editor of New Mexico Magazine; and freelancer Yvonne Lanelli who popped up at convention.

Yvonne writes: "Thanks, everyone, for your warm welcome. And what a welcome. Your May conference energized me like a Vitamin B-12 shot. Paula LaRoque jump-started me like one of those old-time tent preachers. Halleluja!"

Someone we hope to see back was Christina McIntosh, Susan Walton's co-worker at Sandia Prep, who thoroughly enjoyed convention and our members.

And a welcome also to the newest member of the NMPW Auxiliary, Ed Greenwich. These are members' husbands and significant others who spend so much time at NMPW that they're practically members. Earl Plank was the charter auxiliary member, and we were pleased to see Dennis Edwards, husband of Carolyn, at this convention. Ed, Susan Walton's other half, carted boxes, helped out and otherwise offered encouragement and moral support to pooped convention organizers.

People News

We lost our able Zia Award chairperson, Marti Segura, to an internship with IBM in Austin. Thanks, Marti, and congratulations!

Cary Herz is working again after surgery earlier this year. Her outings include the Valles Caldera for the AAA of southern California, a story for the New York Times on salt cedar at the Bosque del Apache, and a story for New Mexico Magazine on a native healer. "Hi to all," she says. "I miss the group."

Diana Sandoval has left the State Bar, where she was assistant director for publications, and has a new job as technical writer at the state Workers' Compensation Administration. And speaking of new jobs, former state president Melanie Majors, after a long stint with Beta Corp., has joined John Córdova at Hirst Córdova Public Relations.

After an eight-year hiatus, Yvonne Lanelli, of beautiful Alto, NM, re-started her freelance career. She writes: "Although I write anything for anyone with a checkbook -- or cash -- I prefer to introduce readers to the growing trend of outdoor adventure travel, such as hiking (in my next-door Lincoln National Forest or Costa Rica), zip-line rappelling (Costa Rica again), skiing (anywhere there's snow), whitewater rafting (Costa Rica, Siberia, Patagonia) and scuba diving ( anywhere there's water). My latest outdoor adventure -- hiking the canyons of Manhattan and biking the wilds of the Bronx! Contact her at EVLanelli@zianet.com.

Former state president Ann Hillerman just agreed to revise her Santa Fe Children's Guide, which has been out for 20 years. And after starting a business a couple years ago offering writers' workshops, she's finally persuaded her famous dad to participate in a mystery conference, along with Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, who recently bough a house in Santa Fe, and Michael McGarrity. She's also working as a writing coach with several clients.

Linda Harris in April gave talks on historic preservation at three conferences - the New Mexico Heritage Alliance in Las Cruces, the Historical Society of New Mexico in Los Alamos and the Rural Economic Development Conference in Roswell. And Pamela Porter and Linda spoke to Las Cruces Press Women on the art and science of collaboration. In May Linda spoke to the Branigan Library Book Review, the El Paso County Historical Society and the Doña Ana County Historical Society. She was on the PBS station KRWG-TV's "Voz del Valle."

Pari Noskin Taichert is thrilled to report that The Clovis Incident has gone into a second paperback edition and will be published in mass market paperback by Worldwide Mysteries in July 2005. On July 21, she'll be in Las Vegas at Tome on the Range at 5 p.m. and on July 23, she'll be in Santa Fe at the Borders in Sanbusco Square at 7 p.m. In May Pari held book signings in Clovis and Albuquerque. Most recently she had a gig at the Roswell UFO Event 2004.

Events for Writers

Attention mystery writers and aspiring mystery writers. Here are two excellent opportunities. Girl Scouts of Chaparral Council Inc. offers "Lunch and Listen" on August 2 with New York Times best selling author J.A. Jance, creator of the Joanna Brady and the J.P. Beaumont series. Her newest thriller is Day of the Dead.

The event will be held at Girl Scouts of Chaparral Council's office, 4000 Jefferson Plaza, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $25, which includes a copy of Jance's latest book. Participants will meet the author, listen to a presentation, and have books signed. Participants may bring their own lunch. Proceeds from the event benefit the Girl Scouts' Gold Award Scholarship. For information contact Deborah Garcia at 343-1040, ext. 3004.

Then in November is the Tony Hillerman Writers Conference: Focus on Mystery. The conference will be held November 4 to 7 at the Albuquerque Hilton.

The conference includes such authors as Hillerman, Faye and Jonathan Kellerman, Michael McGarrity, David Morrell, Judith Van Gieson, Paula Paul, Jann Arrington Wolcott, and Fred Harris. Also featured is Rebecca Eaton, executive producer of the long-running PBS Mystery Series. Workshops, breakout sessions, panel discussions, book signings and time to talk to other writers and fans are part of the event.

Full registration, including most meals, is $395 until Aug. 31. One-day rates and separate tickets to An Evening With Tony Hillerman are also available.

For information see www.sfworkshops.com/hillerman.htm or call 505-471-1565.

Woodharvest Writers Workshops, an enterprise of member Ann Hillerman also offers one-day workshops, including "Finding Your Voice As a Writer" with Sean Murphy on July 17; "Live Wire: Storytelling with Emotional Voltage" with Carolyn Flynn; "How to Write for Magazines with Wolf Schneider" on August 14. See www.sfworkshops.com for more information

Member Recap of David Dunaway's New Book

If you weren't at the annual banquet, here's a bit of what you missed, condensed from a story written in UNM's Campus News by member Carolyn Gonzales.

Imagine a cocktail party where all your favorite authors are gathered. You overhear Ed Abbey talking about the need to respect the environment. Luci Tapahanso adds that Southwest writers are concerned with the land, that it influences work ethic and philosophy of life.

Rudolfo Anaya talks about the llano, vast flat plains carved with arroyos and pushing up mesquite. Denise Chávez, too, paints a picture of the panorama of the Southwest, comparing the region's writing to its food, "spicy and pungent, como chile colorado."

Tony Hillerman says New Mexico skyscapes have "immense clouds that stir my spirit." Terry McMillan talks about how she learned black history through literature. Joy Harjo says she opened another part of herself when she went to school in Santa Fe. Others chime in -- John Nichols and Simon Ortiz.

You pass on the drinks, happy to soak in their words, their insight.

David King Dunaway, professor of English, planned the party in his recent book, "Writing the Southwest," the second edition (University of New Mexico Press, 2003) of his 1995 publication. The new edition features a CD with the authors telling their own stories. The text, with a foreword by Rudolfo Anaya and preface by Paula Gunn Allen, was co-edited by Sara Spurgeon of the University of Arizona.

The text touches on the literary history of the Southwest dating back to the 19 tribes who trace their ancestry to the Mogollon and Anasazi settlements from 600-1400 A.D. Dunaway points to Acoma poet Simon Ortiz as one through whom the tradition lives. Ortiz, too, describes the red, orange and brown canyon lands in the region as vast and engulfing, enclosing. He says his job as poet is to reaffirm humanity. "Kind of a tall order, but what's a poet for?"

Stan Steiner says that the Southwest needs a Homer or a Shakespeare. He says we're waiting for a Herman Melville. He thinks perhaps some lady from Pecos might turn out a manuscript. You can't help but think, I'm not from Pecos, but could it be me?

As you get in the car you realize that Abbey, Steiner and Waters have passed on. That really was some party.

New Mexico Press Women
Board of Directors

Let us know what you're doing!
Send your news to The Broadsheet at robinson@nmia.com.

Late breaking announcement: One of the most interesting programs Albuquerque Press Women had this year was the Baghdad Project by Zelie Pollon and her photographer, Laurent Gaunt. Zelie and Laurent will be back in Albuquerque this Saturday, July 17 at Woodward Hall, Room 101, UNM from 7 to 9 p.m. $5 to $10 donation requested. The Baghdad Project is a multimedia presentation of 100 photographs and personal stories of Iraqi citizens, told in their own words. The visual and audio portraits portray a much different depiction of the Iraqi people than seen in the electronic media, exploring what they think about Americans, their dreams for themselves and hopes for the future. The Project has already shown to packed crowds in the northern New Mexico, Utah, San Diego and Washington DC.