PPA has big time in Canyon

The 102nd annual Panhandle Press Convention was held March 29-31 in Canyon this year, and attendance was great for every session.

West Texas A&M University and the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum were the sites for our workshops and meals, and everyone was very impressed with the facilities and hospitality shown to the association.

Featured speakers were romance author Jodi Thomas and humorist Dr. Don Newbury.  Sessions were conducted by NNA’s Max Heath on postal issues, Dave Wohlfarth on news writing, and WTAMU professor Kim Bruce on marketing.  A round table was also held on using social media at your newspaper.

Former Canyon publisher Debbie Aylesworth and former Floydada publisher Alice Gilroy were inducted into the PPA Hall of Fame.  The Plainview Daily Herald and The Clarendon Enterprise won the General Excellence awards during the better newspaper contest, and the Enterprise along with the Moore County News*Press were the winners of the Ken Towery Community Service Award.

The PPA was led this year by Olton’s Phil Hamilton. He will continue on the PPA Board as Immediate Past President with the following officers: Amanda Rogers of Canyon, President; Wanda Brooks of Dumas, Vice President; and Ashlee Estlack of Clarendon, Secretary/Treasurer, along with directors Mary Smithee of Canadian, Jeff Blackmon of Dimmitt, Roger Estlack of Clarendon, and Debra Wells of Borger.