The joint North Dakota and South Dakota Newspaper Association Convention was held in the Devils Lake area May 11 – 13 and no matter who you talked to, the event was a huge success.

Approximately 15 newspapers from South Dakota and 25 newspapers from North Dakota were represented in the convention along with vendors, supporters and associates from a total of seven states.

The first night was one of the best Welcome Receptions to be held with Grand Hors d’oeuvres and beverages served by Jeb Oehlke and his staff at Black Paws Brewing Company in the historical downtown area of Devils Lake. Guest speakers at this event were from the Targeted Rural Health Education project that will be providing news stories throughout the summer ahead with local (and rural) healthcare needs and concerns in mind. Limosine and “fun bus” transportation was provided every fifteen minutes to and from the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort for convention attendee convenience.

Thank You

The Devils Lake Journal’s Kathy Svidal and Scott Champion were on hand throughout the convention, with editor Louise Oleson, and sponsored the social immediately proceeding Friday’s Award Banquet at the Spirit Lake Casino Ballroom.

They wanted to make sure everyone involved received a hearty “Thank You” for their help and participation including Oehlke and his staff at Black Paws Brewing Company (who also gave a gift for the silent auction) and Suzie Kenner from the Devils Lake Area Chamber of Commerce who also provided a gift basket for the silent auction. Lisa Crosby from the Lake Region Heritage Center also provided a gift for the silent auction and impressed the convention attendees with tours of the old post office museum on Friday evening. Local radio personality, Nikki Nichole, made registration for the convention fun with her warmth and friendliness. The staff of the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort went out of their way to prepare and serve their hearty and delicious meals in an experienced and professional manner. On behalf of all of the newspaper people who attended and participated, if you had any part in the weekend’s convention – a big, huge THANK YOU to all!

Winners & Hall of Fame inductee

The 2023 NDNA Better Newspaper Contest winners were announced May 12 as the NDNA/SDNA joint convention drew to a close. Mike Gackle, president of the former newspaper company BHG Inc. was honored as the 57th inductee into the North Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame at the Friday night ceremony.

A release from NDNA explained, “The NDNA Hall of Fame induction was held at the final awards presentation. Mike Gackle, this year’s inductee, helped build, grow and operate BHG Inc., North Dakota’s largest family of “family newspapers.” He became chief financial officer and then president of the company that eventually included 12 community newspapers, a half dozen shoppers and several other publications. He also managed the company’s printing department and grew its customer base to 40 community newspapers and many other commercial clients. Along the way, Gackle volunteered for countless projects in his community, becoming Garrison’s Citizen of the Year in 2010, while also taking on leadership roles in the North Dakota Newspaper Association, the NDNA Education Foundation and the National Newspaper Association.”

More results from this event will follow in Thursday’s Devils Lake Journal.

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