Our own John Elchert gave his member moment and began by telling us that he was born in Tiffin, Ohio, and started his career at his hometown newspaper as their Circulation Director. He also served as their Advertising Director there for a while. He and his wife soon fell in love with the Upper Peninsula. His local paper also sold newspapers in Houghton and there was a job opening for a Publisher and he took it. He spent 9 winters there and said the average snowfall was about 275 inches per year! Snow would be on the ground from October through mid-April, John said.
John said he was number six of ten kids and that he and his wife have five themselves along with six grandchildren. They moved to Warren, Pennsylvania so that their youngest daughter could take up ice skating in Jamestown, NY to further her already professional ice skating career. At 18 years old (she’s 23 now) she connected with Disney and toured with their Disney on Ice troupe for the next five years. She is now finishing college in Mankato, Minnesota where he and his family just moved from to come here. She now has a job opportunity as a skating instructor back in Minnesota.
Faced with becoming empty nesters, he and his wife pondered where they would live. He got a call from a recruiter who discussed a possible position in Farmington, New Mexico which he accepted and were there for the next 5 years. Then they were off to Mankato, Minnesota for a time and then eventually here to Adrian last December. John said he still had a lot of family in Tiffin. His Father-in-Law will be 97 and is in an assisted living facility so they are able to visit him more often.
John attended a Catholic High School in Tiffin and really couldn’t wait to leave the area due to a lack of opportunity and things to do. He attended the University of Toledo where he graduated with a degree in Education with aspirations to become a teacher and a coach. In the early 80’s, he said, teaching jobs were hard to find. He worked in the dorms and sports area to pay for his education. He eventually ran a 16-floor dorm on campus while starting on a Master’s Degree when he got a call from the Publisher from the Tiffin newspaper from whom he and his and his family lived across the street growing up. He was offered the job of Circulation Manager there. John told the audience that he and his family loved to read the local newspaper which became something of a ritual with them.
Having been in the newspaper business for over 35 years, John admitted that he rarely has a boring day. Some 10 years ago the industry changed greatly due to the digital age we live in today. He said that the Daily Telegram today is “bucking the trend” with distribution nationwide declining an average 8-10% per year. The distribution of the Daily Telegram, on the other hand, is up a quarter of a percent compared to a year ago! This is a very strong newspaper market he said. In terms of those accessing their website from between just this past March through April of this year, they found there were 188,344 unique visitors to the Daily Telegram’s site alone to get news and information. Metropolitan newspapers are having a difficult time. However, community newspapers like his are very strong. They are particularly pleased with the amount of commercial print the paper does, he said. About 13,000 newspapers are printed here every day. This takes only 45 minutes, John said. They print other papers for other communities as well which keep the presses running for two and sometimes three full shifts!
John said that the Daily Telegram employs about 70 people. The Monroe News is their sister publication and was purchased about two years ago. That printing will be brought here to Adrian, John said, which is now being done by a third party so they can keep the business in house. The Daily Telegram is owned by Gatehouse Media – the second largest newspaper company in the country. They have a digital side – Propel Media – that develops websites and other digital marketing programs. The Daily Telegram can meet anyone’s digital marketing needs. John concluded by saying that “we are so much more than just a newspaper”!
Rotarian of the Year – Please be thinking of a deserving member who you would like to nominate for this honor. Winner will be announced at the Annual Changeover Dinner on June 29th. Forms will be out shortly.
DATES TO REMEMBER
June 16 - Siena Heights Summer Spectacular – This event is scheduled for June 16th. Golf outing, dinner and auction. The cost is $65 per person. Social hour starts at 5pm. Please visit sienaheights.edu/spectacular for more info and to register by June 1. Proceeds go to fund student scholarships. Please contact Robin Hinman for more information.
June 16 - Siena Heights Golf Ball Drop – Yet another fundraising event is scheduled for June 16th. Only 200 balls will be sold for $20@ and the grand prize is $1,000 for the person whose ball is closest to the flagged hole. Balls are being sold in advance at the Advancement Office, Sacred Heart Hall room 101. The ball drop will be from 5pm-5:30pm in Trinity Gardens.
June 16 – Goodwill Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting – Nathan invited all members to this event at their newest facility at 1400 US 223 in Adrian. Please RSVP ASAP to Kristine at kdewey@goodwillsemi.org or call 263-2135.
June 17 – Devil's Lake Festival of the Arts – Chair Brent updated members as a sign-up sheet was again passed around with specific shift times. Any and all help that day, he said, would be appreciated especially at the end of the program for tear down and clean up duties. The event starts promptly at 10am that morning and runs until 6pm.
June 29 – Annual Change Over Dinner – Coney Island hot dogs and pulled pork will be on the menu along with salads and an array of appetizers and desserts, Rhonda said. The meal will be free for any member who pre-pays for their regular meeting meals with their dues and $10 for their guests and members who do not pre-pay. The gig starts at 5pm. Hope to have an awesome turnout.
July 29 – Toledo Mudhens Game – Adrian Morning Rotarian Jeane Pfister invited our club to attend this game with them. A dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse is planned before the game. Please contact Jean f you would like to go at 517-918-2019 or e-mail her at jap0928@live.com.
September 16 & 17 - Bike Tour – Chip announced that he is still working on sponsorships and has a commitment from members Mark & Mary Murray and Max Sielsky. A meeting of the committee is scheduled for July 20th at Chip's house and again at the Changeover Dinner on the 28th and another on August 17th at Chip's house.
Upcoming Club Program Presentations
June 15 – Kathye Herrera - MADD
June 22 – Fluency Friends Update - Kathy Sielsky
June 29 - CHANGEOVER DINNER (NO NOON MEETING THAT DAY)
GUESTS: Visiting Morning Rotarians Dave Maxwell; Kathryn Suechuck, guest of Nate Smith.
Frank’s and A.J.’s tickets were drawn but neither won the still small jackpot! However, Steve May donated a mug and a T-shirt and the winners were Chip and A.J.!
Our own John Elchert gave his member moment and began by telling us that he was born in Tiffin, Ohio, and started his career at his hometown newspaper as their Circulation Director. He also served as their Advertising Director there for a while. He and his wife soon fell in love with the Upper Peninsula. His local paper also sold newspapers in Houghton and there was a job opening for a Publisher and he took it. He spent 9 winters there and said the average snowfall was about 275 inches per year! Snow would be on the ground from October through mid-April, John said.
Rotarian of the Year – Please be thinking of a deserving member who you would like to nominate for this honor. Winner will be announced at the Annual Changeover Dinner on June 29th. Forms will be out shortly.
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ike Tour – Chip announced that he is still working on sponsorships and has a commitment from members Mark & Mary Murray and Max Sielsky. A meeting of the committee is scheduled for July 20th at Chip's house and again at the Changeover Dinner on the 28th and another on August 17th at Chip's house.
