Merry Christmas from NINA

Pat Szpekowski Takes Over as NINA President in Organization’s 60th Year

Pat Szpekowski, an award-winning freelance writer and president of PR Strategies & Communications, Inc./PmS Advertising, Inc. in Elgin, IL, has been chosen to lead the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association in the organization's 60th anniversary year. Szpekowski's election is groundbreaking because of her experience as a public relations strategist, an independent businesswoman and longtime newspaper contributor. …

Young journalists shine during NINA panel

by Dan Campana Remember, the light at the end of the tunnel may be you. That line – a kicker to close out the album version of Aerosmith’s 1993 hit “Amazing” – came to mind as the NINA Virtual Awards Celebration wrapped up on Oct. 28. It’s an optimistic, introspective sentence which reminds us all …

Daily Herald, Suburban Chronicle general excellence winners in annual news competition

DeKALB — Regional journalists and journalism educators gathered virtually Thursday for the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association’s annual awards ceremony.  The Daily Herald won the general excellence award in the daily category, and the Suburban Chronicle won the general excellence award in the nondaily category. The general excellence categories replace the sweepstakes awards, which previously were awarded to the organizations that had the best showing in the competition.  About 15 nameplates submitted 277 entries …

A sign of champions

By Pat Szpekowski, NINA first vice president When driving to a destination, I usually catch a casual glance of signs when entering a new community. Cities and Villages proudly post accomplishments. You've seen them, too. Tree City USA. Hebron, Home of 1952 State Basketball Champions. Carpentersville-Bradie Tennell U.S. Olympic Champion. Algonquin-Jacobs High School alumnus Evan …

Awards season brings NINA community together

Dan Campana by Dan Campana, NINA President Any way you talk about the last 19 months – personally and professionally – the word “challenge” likely pops up at some point.At the same time, words such as adapt, overcome and persevere are also fitting when considering how in the world we’ve collectively endured so much uncertainty …

Power of the local press

by Pat SzpekowskiNINA 1st Vice President Community journalism is a win-win for everyone. During a recent board meeting I attended at the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce in Carpentersville, a number of matters were on the agenda for review. Past and upcoming local events always bring on a lively discussion. I happened that day …

McHenry’s Emma Snyder named 2021 scholarship recipient

By Dan Campana Emma Snyder’s newspaper adviser at McHenry High School calls her a “natural journalist” – it just took a little while for anyone to realize it. Snyder didn’t get involved with adviser Dane Erbach’s newspaper class and the school paper, the McHenry Messenger, until her junior year, but she quickly made an impression …

Campana: Life Isn’t Measured By Column Inches, But These 2 Stories Show Why Our Communities Need Them

BY DAN CAMPANA, NINA Board President That moment when you find a story you didn’t know you wanted, or needed, to read remains one of the beauties of flipping through the print edition of your favorite paper. Such lightning struck me twice in two days recently, each piece speaking directly to NINA’s emphasis on community …

Slonoff, Etheredge Leave Indelible Mark on Northern Illinois Newspaper Association

BY ROGER RUTHHART, NINA Board One of the advantages of being the old-timer on the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association board is that I’ve gotten to meet a lot of amazing people and seen many hard-working board members come and go. Sadly, along the way many have passed away or left the business altogether, but not …