Communicator of Achievement Award – Connie Cockrell
Connie Cockrell was named “Communicator of Achievement” for 2019, APWs highest award. Her certificate and original “storyteller” carving made by a Pueblo Native American were displayed at our virtual State Conference in May. Connie was also honored at the virtual awards NFPW Awards Ceremony. She will receive a stipend to attend the 2021 NFPW Awards Ceremony.
“Local writer wins Communicator Achievement Award,” written by Marie Fasano, tells more about Connie and the award and appeared in the 6/30/2020 issue of the Payson Roundup. Photo by Randy Cockrell.
Connie Cockrell, winner of the Communicator of Achievement Award
President’s page – June 2020
Our APW Annual meeting was a success. We had a quorum and were able to make some important decisions. If you were there, thank you, if you missed it, try again next year.
We honored our Arizona APW Communicator of Achievement, Connie Cockrell, and gave her a gift of the Native American Storyteller doll. Connie has done so much for the Rim Country chapter as Chapter Director and coordinating the Payson Book Festival for six years. She started writing novels in 2011 with a NaNoWriNo project and now has 20 to her name! Congratulations to Connie.
We purchased a ZOOM PRO virtual account that members can use for their own promotion. All you need to do is let me know when you want to schedule an event to promote yourself and your work. Since someone had to be the Administrator of the account, I got the job. This is an excellent perk for members. I am willing to schedule a one-on-one with any member if they want to learn the process. It worked really well for the APW Annual meeting with shared documents, a power point presentation and discussion among those present.
We have updated the Bylaws so they are consistent with our current goals. Go to the website to the member-only section. You will need the code to get in and can contact Jaimie Bruzenak, website coordinator, or me for the latest code.
We are promoting our book, Skirting Traditions. The book, written by APW members, has wonderful accounts of early women Arizona writers. It is available on Amazon and from other booksellers. In addition, members can purchase copies for personal use or for resale at a discounted price by contacting your Chapter Director or Marie Fasano. One idea to promote the book would be to give a copy to your local library.
With COVID-19 cases increasing and hospitals ICU’s filling up, please stay well, wash your hands, wear a mask and encourage others to do the same. A friend gave me a button that I wear. It says,” I wear my mask TO HONOR AND PROTECT YOU.”
Enjoy your summer and keep writing.
Marie A Fasano
President
Arizona Professional Writers
APW 2020 Virtual State Conference – June 20
Greetings all APW members,
The APW Board has decided to have a short virtual conference this year in June in place of the May one that was cancelled. We hope you are all well.
Date: Saturday June 20
Time: 10:00 am to about 12 noon.
Zoom information will be sent prior to the meeting.
Our agenda will include:
- Vote for new incoming officers (Ballots to be sent out shortly).
- Brief reports from Board Members and Chapter Chairs.
- Approval of the Revised Bylaws (Copies will be sent out for your review prior to the meeting.)
- Presentation to honor our APW 2020 Communicator of the Year, Connie Cockrell.
- Notification of winners of the At-large NFPW communications contest.
- Ceremony honoring our members who have passed.
We encourage all members to be present for this short meeting.
If you have any questions about the Zoom meeting, please contact me at mfasano.apw@gmail.com.
Marie Fasano, President
Marie Fasano – 2020 At-Large Contest winner
Marie Fasano
Congratulations to Marie Fasano who won second place honors in the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) Communications Contest. Her article, “Riding Horses at the Deuker Ranch,” was published in Story Monsters INK Magazine.
The article was about the Deuker Ranch folks and their horses working with young people with disabilities. You can read about the program in Marie’s article at https://www.storymonsters.com/book-briefs/riding-horses-at-the-deuker-ranch
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- The Deuker Ranch Equine Assisted Adaptive Riding program is located in Star Valley, Arizona.
President’s Page – May 2020
Arizona is opening after the shelter in place orders for several weeks due to the COVID-19 virus. How are you coping? Are you ready to join the crowds on the streets and in the stores? I’m not. I wear a mask when I’m out in public and keep social distancing within a group. Family and friends from the East Coast and California are being very cautious. Here in Payson, not so much.
My home town of Elmhurst, New York has been particularly devastated, with overcrowding in the hospitals and funeral homes. Family members who are doctors and nurses in New York have talked of the lack of PPE equipment, wearing the same mask several days in a row. Maybe that’s why I’m still cautious and not ready to join the throng.
Are any of our APW members writing stories that have to do with the corona virus? I would love to hear from you. What have you been doing at home? Writing more? I’m reading lots more. I put down one book and pick up another, or turn on my Kindle and think. “I should be writing more not just reading.” Alas, my energy level has been low, but hopefully, coming back soon.
Here in Rim Country we started our monthly meetings via ZOOM and had some good interactions with our members, catching up on what they are writing. I love the way Marsha Ward talks to her characters. This time she is asking them how to end the story. Each author has her tricks to keep the writing flowing.
Our virtual APW Board meeting will be May 30th. Contact me at mfasano.apw@gmail.com if you want to attend and I will send you the ZOOM information. We will have a virtual celebration of our Communicator of the Year and APW meeting this summer. We hope many of you will join us. We will email you with more information later.
Keep Writing,
Marie A. Fasano
President
Arizona Professional Writers
President’s Page – April, 2020
President’s Page
May 2020
This month has been an interesting one with many of us “sheltering in place” at home. How many more Zoom, Facetime or other virtual meetings have you had? I’m getting quite proficient at Zoom- even had a surprise 90th Birthday party for my husband Mac with his family for him!
Due to the COVID-19 virus issues, the APW Board has decided to cancel the May 30th Conference for this year. We have scheduled a virtual APW Board meeting for that day. Anyone who would like to attend can let me know. I will send you the ZOOM contact info. It might be a way to get more involved without traveling to a meeting. We will announce the Arizona Communicator of the Year. We are looking at some future virtual meetings and will keep you informed.
NFPW has also cancelled their National Conference in Arkansas. A conference will be held in 2021.
People are watching more TV, spending more time getting their news through newspapers and online. Have you thought about sending an article to these media outlets that include information about how the COVID-19 virus is affecting people? There are so many stories out there.
2020 has been designated as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife by the World Health Organization. Since one of my careers included nursing, my intention for my newspaper column “Roaming the Rim,” in the Payson Roundup included writing stories about nurses in various arenas. In the last article, I covered information about how the coronavirus affects the work of the home health nurse. I have some other ideas for articles because of the current situation. I imagine you can come up with some as well. What’s going on in your community?
Stay well. Keep your distance. Wear your mask and wash your hands often.
Keep writing,
Marie
Marie Fasano, President
Arizona Professional Writers
President’s Page – March, 2020
President’s Page
March 2020
Spring blossoms and wildflowers are beginning to bloom in the mountains of Payson, AZ. Usually, I find this time of year exhilarating- this month not so much. We stay home as much as possible to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19. I send healing energy thoughts to my family and friends and now include all the members of APW.
On March 6 we lost a long time member, Carol Osman Brown. Carol had been a member for many, many years, giving of her time and expertise to many of the members of APW. She wrote important newspaper articles and taught journalism with a passion. She and her husband Bing, who we lost last year, were a fixture at our meetings. She helped to start the Payson Book Festival, Inc. and worked energetically in getting sponsors. If you want to send a note of condolence to her sons please contact me and I will send you their address mfasano.apw@gmail.com
The APW Conference yearly planning has set May 30 as the date. It takes place at the Mazatzal Casino in Payson, AZ. This will be a time of gathering and reconnecting. We will have a guest speaker, Communicator of Achievement award, luncheon and a General meeting, including voting on the Bylaws and selection of new officers. Later in the afternoon we will travel to the Rim Country Museum and Zane Grey cabin. If we need to cancel due to the CDC guidelines, we will let you know.
The following members have agreed to run for office:
Marie Fasano- President
Bobbie Bennett –Vice President
Connie Cockrell – Second Vice President and Membership Chair
Cheryl Kohaut – Treasurer
Brenda Whiteside – Secretary
If anyone else has an interest please let Connie know at conniecockrell@gmail.com
So, since we are forced to stay at home, we can write more!
Keep Writing,
Marie A. Fasano
APW President
President’s Page – February 2020
Marie Fasano
In February, Black history Month, I remember the black authors who have influenced my writing and my life. My early thirties were rebellious years for me. I remember reading Maya Angelou’s first book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and thinking how brave she acted. I wondered if I could be as strong as she in difficult times.
For writers, we have Angelou’s inspiring words. “There is no greater agony then bearing an untold story inside of you.” We must write. We must put finger to keyboard and “get it out.”
Another book by a black author that had an impact on my life was, James Mc Bride’s The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother. I had adopted an eight-year-old biracial girl and I needed to understand her experience. His poignant story told of his mother who was loving and caring to all her children, color didn’t matter. I think of these authors often and especially during February.
On Saturday, March 7th our APW Board meeting convenes at 10:00 AM in Phoenix. Any member may join us to learn how APW plans for the future. Email me if you want to attend.
We had scheduled six members to attend the ASU Desert Nights Literary Conference on February 22. After months of planning, the one day of pouring rain cancelled the outdoor exhibit. We’ll try again next year!.
Our APW Conference plans for May 9 are proceeding. It will be held in Payson. More next month.
Keep Writing,
Marie A. Fasano
APW President
President’s message – January, 2020
APW Anthology
As we welcome 2020, we are excited about our many new members coming to our programs in Phoenix Central and Payson Rim Country each month and hearing exceptional speakers.
One item in our history that we almost forgot about is our book, Skirting Traditions. Members of the Arizona Press Women put together this wonderful volume of Arizona Women Writers and Journalists with Brenda Warneka editing. Many of our members, who started the organization in 1953, are included as part of this history.
The book was a project of the Arizona Press Women, Inc. in affiliation with the National Federation of Press Women Education Fund. In 2012, it was approved as an Arizona Centennial Legacy Project by the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission. Profits from the sale of the book will fund scholarships for Arizona students at Arizona colleges and universities.
Recently, I reread several sections. In the first chapter of the book, member Jan Cleere writes of Sharlot Mabridth Hall who fell in love with the Arizona Territory and helped push it to statehood. Sharlot was one of the first inductee’s in the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame.
Member Marion Gold showcased member Pam Stevenson’s story of being one of the first women newscasters on KOOL-TV. Pam did ten interviews a week and has won numerous awards for her documentaries including News Women: 50 years of Change, which is a celebration of Arizona Press Women’s 50th Anniversary.
One of our goals this year is to reintroduce you to this fabulous historical book and encourage you to purchase it through your usual outlets, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. and support our scholarship fund.
Keep Writing,
Marie A Fasano
President, Arizona Professional Writers
President’s message – December 2019
Christmas Luncheon APW RIm Chapter 2019
President’s Page – December 2019
As we end this year, we want to thank each member who has been participating in all of our monthly meetings with many excellent speakers.
What we have accomplished in 2019
- We have increased our State and National membership.
- The PHX Central Chapter is up and running again, thanks to Barbara Lacy. (She will need more help in 2020.)
- Southern Chapter had a meeting and Barbara Marriot has agreed to be the contact person there.
- Our Trade Name is current with the Secretary of State.
- We revised our Bylaws and will be voting on them in May at our Spring Conference May 9.
- We were involved with ASU for several programs.
- Our joint fall conference with ANA was a success. Bobbie Bennett helped me with the logistics.
- We had a successful Payson Book Festival AGAIN thanks to Connie Cockrell and all our volunteers.
- The website and Faceboook pages are current with interesting information thanks to Jaimie Bruzenak.
The APW Treasury is in good hands thanks to Cheryl Kohout.
Member News
- Carol Osmon Brown lost her husband and best friend, Bing this year. She had to resign as Secretary and moved with her family to California. I keep her updated about APW happenings.
- We lost a long time member in 2019 Jane Eppinga and will be having a celebration of her life next year.
The Board of Directors: We will be having an election in May 2020. In the meantime, we want to thank Joan Westlake for her many years of service on the Board. She is busy with her consulting work. She will be turning over the membership duties to Connie Cockrell as of January 2020. Brenda Whiteside has agreed to replace Carol Osman Brown as Secretary. We thank them for their willingness to help at this time.
Enjoy your Holidays!!
Keep Writing,
Marie A Fasano
President, Arizona Professional Writers
