Proud The South Jetty has had a successful year in terms of professional competition.

We were runners-up for Sweepstakes (total points accumulated in the various categories) in the South Texas Press Association’s contest. We won Sweepstakes in the Texas Gulf Coast Press Association contest, and we came in fourth overall in the Texas Press Association contest.

We compete against weekly newspapers that have paid circulation similar to ours, roughly 3,000 to 5,000, which puts us in the largest circulation category for weekly newspapers.

We are proud that the awards have covered a broad range, from writing to photography, advertising and page design.

If you look up the term “team effort” in the dictionary, you should find a picture of the South Jetty beside it, because this newspaper is truly that.

While some staff members may have nothing to do with the content of the newspaper or the physical production of it, there is no way the weekly editions would be possible without them.

Murray and I are more than a little proud of our team, and it is my pleasure to introduce them to you.

Ginger Massey, office and circulation manager, is the first person you see when you walk in our front door, and usually the voice you hear when you call on the telephone. Ginger is the WD-40 that makes sure things flow smoothly. We’d all run smack into each other without her. She’s been with us since July, 2004.

Next you’ll see Judy K. Krantz, classified advertising manager/ad production assistant/photographer. Judy K. just celebrated 10 years of being on the South Jetty team – this time. Her first stint was in the mid to late 80s. She came back for round two in 2000. Her multiple talents and “can-do” attitude make her an asset in many aspects of the newspaper.

You may not see much of her because she’s tucked away in her office, but bookkeeper Dianne Null is now logging her 32nd year with us. She started with us in Refugio in 1978. After we sold that paper, she began commuting to Port Aransas every day. She

Team South deserves a medal of honor for

hanging on during what has been a wild ride!

Advertising sales representative Misty Rogers Cox is also on her second tour of duty here. Her first tour was when she was just out of high school. She’s been back now for about a year and a half. Murray can’t figure out why advertisers don’t hug him when they hug Misty. We hug Misty, too, because she’s taking care of business.

Elizabeth Klostermann Weaver is advertising production chief and graphic artist. Not only is Elizabeth a talented ad designer, her organizational skills are vital to our operation. Elizabeth, who has been on board since September, 2004, has been a consistent winner in regional and state contests.

Reporter/photographer Dan Parker is a native son of Port Aransas. He worked for newspapers from California to South Carolina and points in between, including the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, before settling in his hometown in June of 2006. Dan’s attention to detail is legendary, and it’s made a difference in the quality of this newspaper. He’s been rewarded with multiple regional, state and even national awards.

Reporter Phil Reynolds is another one on his second tour of duty with us. His first was five years as a full-time reporter. After a short break, he returned about a year ago on a part-time basis. He’s made a big difference for the editor who was going to have to start doing triple-duty and would have crumbled under the weight of that.

New on the team as of last month is Susan Armanovs, who is a part-time staff writer. She is replacing Laurie Strain who left after two years to pursue a master’s degree in library science. Laurie’s work ethic and wit were a delight, and Susan is carrying on that tradition.

Leslie Willey Jr. has worked for the South Jetty off and on for 28 years. He’s the distribution manager, videographer and “Man Friday.” There is no challenge that Leslie can’t master – his resourcefulness is astounding.

The masters of dependability are Brent and Shirley Uhl who, no matter how late the press runs, are there to make sure the papers are labeled and ready to go to the post office.

That dependability is paralled by Laura Amstead, who just loves newspapers and had to find a way to be involved. Her role is to make the early deliveries to newsstands on Thursday mornings.

Martin Harris is in and out of the office only once a week, but we consider him part of the team as well. His role is to deliver the newspaper to newsstands on North Padre Island as he makes his daily deliveries to and from Port Aransas.

We are also fortunate to have a team of “photo moms” as staff photographers who we couldn’t do without: Karen Collins, Stephanie Kenigsberg, Marnie Pate and occasionally Jennifer Kidd and Barbara Thrasher.

The South Jetty is enriched by our columnists, regular and irregular: Tony Amos, Bill Slingerland, Rachel Pearson, John Fucik, Kate Williams, Nan Dietert and Lyndon Holcomb, librarian Kathy Caldwell, Dave McNeely, State Rep. Todd Hunter, ministers Richard Safford, Sabrina Grubbs, William Campbell, Doug Schwert and James Bruster; school district faculty and administration who contribute during the school year and, most recently, John Guthrie Ford and Police Chief Scott Burroughs.

The South Jetty is a better newspaper because of the contributions of all our staff members as well as our contributors.

They all do their jobs well, and they make it fun to come to work (even if they’re not in the office). We are blessed, not only by having a good staff, but also by the privilege of working with people we enjoy.

Every award won is because of the hard work of every person on our team, and they all deserve credit.

Kudos and a big “thank you” to ‘Team South Jetty’ from Murray and me. You make us proud.

Mary Henkel Judson is editor and co-publisher of the South Jetty. Contact her at southjetty@centurytel. net, (361) 749-5131 or P.O. Box 1117, Port Aransas, TX 78373.