October 2021
PRESS CLUB TRIBUTES
-Denise Polverine

The Press Club says goodbye to three impactful and beloved journalists/communicators in our community this past month.
Longtime local sports reporter and radio personality, Matt Loede, lost his two-year battle with cancer and other health complications on September 29. Loede, 46, was well-loved by his wife, Shanna, family, friends and colleagues who describe him as kind, caring and a hard worker. Among the many online tributes that were posted soon after his death, sportswriter Zack Meisel tweeted, “If you know Matt Loede, your life was better off for it. The way he approached his cancer battle was an inspiration to many. He was a staple in the CLE sports media scene the last three decades and always prioritized helping aspiring writers/broadcasters. We’ll miss him terribly."
Community activist, writer, radio host and winery owner, Mansfield Frazier, passed away October 9 after a brief hospitalization at the age of 78. Cleveland City Councilman Blaine Griffin who was a friend of Frazier told cleveland.com, “Mansfield really, really believed in mentoring young people, but he was tough. You couldn’t come at him soft. You had to deal with him real because he dealt with you real, and that’s what we really appreciated about each other.” According to an article on wkyc.com,  the Hough neighborhood resident was a self-taught writer, served as an editor and contributor for several local and national publications and recently hosted a weekly show on Newsradio WTAM 1100 on Sunday evenings.
If you are a reporter or photographer in town, chances are you know of and will miss Herb Thomas. Thomas worked at WJW-TV/Fox 8 for more than 40 years as an award-winning photographer and producer. He died October 4 at the age of 71. Longtime colleague, Wayne Dawson says, “He was a big guy with a big heart.” NBC reporter, Kelly O’Donnell worked for many years with Thomas at Fox 8 and tweeted, “Saddened by the loss of Herb Thomas. His work taught me visual storytelling. Herb had a huge influence on my early career. He was a creative force, a man of faith and kindness. His light shone brightly. Sympathies to my friends at WJW.” Thomas was a partner, father and grandfather. He was also a recipient of The Press Club of Cleveland’s Chuck Heaton Award at the Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame’s 2011 Induction.
NOMINATION DEADLINE NOVEMBER 30
The Press Club of Cleveland is planning to present the next Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame induction and Chuck Heaton Award presentation on March 3, 2022. Venue details are being finalized and will be announced soon.

Nominations will be accepted until Nov. 30 for the next Journalism Hall of Fame class and candidates for the Chuck Heaton Award. 

Press Club members should submit nominations by email to pressclubcle@gmail.com. Please indicate Hall of Fame or Heaton Award in the subject line. Also, include the nominee’s name, email address, phone number, the media outlet the person is/was affiliated with and a brief description of why he or she should be considered for the Hall of Fame or Heaton Award. In addition, nominators should include their name, email address and phone number. 

Questions? Contact Carol Kovach at carolkovach@hotmail.com or call the Press Club office, 440-899-1222.
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
FIVE JOURNALISM TIDBITS FROM NORTHEAST OHIO

-PD/cleveland.com travel writer Susan Glaser wins gold award for newspaper travel coverage from the Society of American Travel Writers. 
 
 
-Toledo Invasion! The Toledo Blade’s Kaitlin Durbin joins cleveland.com as the Cuyahoga County reporter and WTOL’s Emma Henderson joins 3News as an investigative reporter. 
 
-Akron’s arts and culture journalism co-op The Devil Strip abruptly closes due to insufficient funds, though remaining board members are attempting to save the publication. 
 
-Ideastream’s After Jackson Podcast, still the best thing going on the Cleveland mayoral race. 

FIVE JOURNALISM TIDBITS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY + WORLD
 
 
 
 
-How a North Carolina newspaper is serving and building connections with its Latinx community. 
 
-A thread on “copaganda” and the Associated Press report on the Portland Police. 
EMPLOYMENT SEEKERS

Dix & Eaton, a Cleveland-based full-service public relations firm, is looking to fill several positions in the areas of investor relations, ESG, marketing communications and advertising, and accounting. For more information, visit the firm’s website at https://www.dix-eaton.com/careers/

City of Cleveland Heights seeking a Public Relations specialist. Apply by clicking here

Editorial staffers at the Chronicle and Gazette

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In continuous operation since 1887, The Press Club of Cleveland is a home for working journalists, professional communicators and anyone who supports the media’s role to keep watch over democratic processes. We advocate for the importance of journalism; maintain the rich history of journalism in Northeast Ohio; recognize excellence in the field with the All-Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards and the Press Club Hall of Fame; and host programs that bring members together for education, networking and comradery. 
 
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