Panhandle Press Association gathers for 112th convention

HEREFORD — The Panhandle Press Association gathered in March for its 112th annual meeting.
The convention opened with a luncheon on Friday with Austin Lewter of the Texas Center for Community Journalism and a review of what services are offered by the TCCJ. An afternoon session focused on the use of podcasts and Facebook Live to connect with a wider audience and as a possible revenue source. Friday evening, the PPA was welcomed with a reception at the new offices of the Hereford Brand before returning to the new Hereford Civic Center for the Hall of Fame banquet.
During the banquet, Wanda Brooks of Dumas and Roger Estlack of Clarendon were inducted into the PPA Hall of Fame. Tumbleweed Smith was the guest speaker.
Brooks started her journey in the newspaper business in August 1994, when then-publisher Mike Coggins contacted her about an office manager position at the Moore County News-Press. In 1994, The News Press was under ownership of Southern Newspapers Inc. It was in 2000 that Lancaster Management* Inc. bought out Southern. Brooks stayed on as the office manager and became more involved in the community. She was awarded the three highest achievements in the company for papers her size in 2015 for best overall newspaper, best collection percentage and best operating performance. She served on the board of the Panhandle Press Association the entire length of her time as publisher of the Moore County News-Press and served as the president of Panhandle Press Association from 2013-2014.
Estlack has been the editor and publisher of The Clarendon Enterprise since October 1995. During his tenure, he has become a leader of his community, a champion of its progress, and a fearless critic of those who act dishonorably. Estlack has served on the boards of the PPA, West Texas Press Association and Texas Press Association; has served as president of both PPA and WTPA; and has been the secretary of PPA since 2013. In 2017, he was recognized with the Harold Hudson Memorial Award by the West Texas Press Association.
For the last 26 years, Estlack has fought for community improvements and kept his finger on the pulse of the community while covering everything from local events to the hometown boy in the United States Congress. He has covered Open Meeting Act violations, posted severe weather information, editorialized against religious bigotry, helped bring high speed Internet to local communities and supported the restoration of the 1890 Donley County Courthouse and the 1946 Mulkey Theatre. In particular, his reports on COVID’s early and deadly impact on Donley County residents created a worthy model for other community newspapers in their coronavirus reporting and coverage.
Estlack’s live podcasts with local officials during those first few months of COVID-fueled fear and isolation honored the most essential role of a good newspaper: providing a compelling forum for community conversation. Estlack is the sixth Clarendon journalist and the fourth member of the Estlack family to join the Hall of Fame.
Saturday’s activities featured a writing workshop by Robert Dohler of the TCCJ as well as a Design Workshop by TCCJ and the PPA Ethics Panel Discussion. Daniel Esquivel of the Amarillo College Hinkson Memorial Campus in Hereford was the luncheon speaker.
Awards were presented on Saturday night at the Hereford Country Club. In the PPA Better Newspaper Contest, The Canadian Record won general excellence honors in Division One, and The Hereford Brand topped Division Two. The Brand also was the recipient of the Ken Towery Community Service Award. Click here to see PPA contest results.
Creed Huff of Fritch was recognized as the PPA scholarship recipient for the coming year.
Jeff Blackmon of Hereford was recognized for his service as PPA president this past year. The membership re-elected Blackmon to lead the PPA for 2022-2023 along with Vice President Tim Ritter of Canyon and Secretary/Treasurer Roger Estlack of Clarendon. Shane Lance of Quanah and Michael Wright of Dumas were also re-elected to the board. Other directors include Mary Dudley of Perryton, Mary Smithee of Canadian, and John Lee of Pampa. Tara Huff of Fritch also continues to serve on the board as the PPA’s immediate past president.
Next year’s Panhandle Press Convention will be held in Canyon at a date to be determined.