1993: "How Does The Peak Get From my House to Your House?"

Posted By The Peak on Jul 14, 2018

July 14, 2018

Introduction

“How Does The Peak Get From my House to Your House?” was written almost 25 years ago by the founding editor of A Peak at the Peak. When Liz Stapleton wrote the article many things had changed since she had created the first edition at her kitchen table. For one thing, ten years had passed. Many new people had moved to the Pinnacle Peak area, with many new arrivals anticipated. The newsletter had grown from six to 22 pages and it was printed, rather than being copied. It was mailed to members of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Homeowners Association (GPPA) rather than being hand delivered.

As I read Liz’s article, I was struck by how methods of communication have changed since 1993. Think about it!

People wrote or typed letters to friends and family, letters to the editor, and submitted typed articles for inclusion in the few printed publications that existed. Articles were carried or sent by postal mail to their recipients. Websites, email, Facebook, and personal blogs and other ways to self-publish and self-distribute were years in the future for most people. Public networks, such as AOL, were used but many people were beginning to learn how to take advantage of the power of personal computers.

There have been major changes since Liz wrote the article below. Liz Stapleton became Liz Stapleton-Ogden after her first husband died and she remarried. Others served as editor after Liz completed here 11 year stint. GPPHA became the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association (GPPA), a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization. Friends of the Scenic Drive merged into GPPA. A Peek at the Peak became an online publication and has a larger audience.

One thing has not changed; A Peek at the Peak needs residents to write articles and columns about their community. Over the years, we have columns about dining, pets, the arts, wildlife, natural history and the desert. We welcome them today. Writing an article or series of articles is a great way to indirectly promote a business or personal interest. For information, contact, info@thepeakaz.org.

Les Conklin, Editor

How Does The Peak Get From my House to Your House?

By Liz Stapleton, Editor
As published in A Peek at the Peak, October 1993

The October 1993 issue of A Peek at the Peak was 22 pages in length, including the front and back covers. It was printed on glossy stock using black and white ink. The lead story was featured on the cover.

Most readers are probably unaware of exactly how much time and effort goes into each monthly issue of The Peak. First coordinator Bette Sullivan contacts all of the contributors to turn in their copy by the date needed, the 5th of each month.

Believe me, dedication is required to come up with these informative and useful articles! Most months regular writers probably feel like they’ve just turned one in and that “darn editor” is on their back for yet another contribution. My thanks to these great people who don’t grumble, but just go ahead and do an outstanding job, month-after-month. Regular contributors include Burt Prosser (The President’s Corner), Herb Drinkwater (The Mayor’s Column), Minell Sefelt and Betty Lou Summers (Art and Life), and Bette Sullivan (Calendar of Events). Minell also covers political news along with Cynthia Lucas and Mary Ruth Klimow. Bob Swift has enlightened us with his “Peek at the Stars,” Ralph Zeller Contributes ”Nutritional Facts and Fallacies.” Jane Rau has done articles on the McDowell Mountain Land Trust. Beverly Jordano initiated a “Peak Profile.” Ralph Knight has written many articles over the years and also passed along a wealth of materials for me to work with. Several of Dennis Massion’s articles on the desert have been reprinted this past year. Others who have made contributions over this past year are Laurie Beals, Dorothy Brugioni, Carol Dillon, Arnold Gavin, Jerry McElfresh, Isabelle McVaugh, Jeannine Moyle, Bob Paradis, John Riddle, Marcita Ryon, Edmund Schneider, Ann Simonson, Chuck Summers, and Rich Tompkins. Forgive me, anyone left out. Let me know so you can be recognized.

Once the contributors’ work is in, then the editor gets going. This is the part seen as ”being between a rock and a hard place,” as other demands such as Saguaro H.S. English teacher, small business owner of Pinnacle Peak Pot ‘Pori and hobby rancher are juggled to fit in an intense week.

After the copy is edited, it is whisked down to Desert Secretarial at Scottsdale and Shea, usually by mom Helen Lloyd. That’s where Carolyn Plotke takes the copy, sometimes in pretty questionable handwriting, including my own, and cranks it out in columnar format at 100+ wpm.

This copy then makes a return trip to Pinnacle Peak for proofing by Isabelle McVaugh, Ruth McCoy and Rosemary Ellis. Changes are called in to Desert Secretarial.

Liz Stapleton was the founding editor of A Peek at the Peak. This photo was taken in 1984, a year after Liz typed the first issue of The Peak at her kitchen table, Liz served as The Peak’s editor for 11 years. After the death of her husband, Liz remarried and became Liz Stapleton Ogden.

While all this has been going on, Don Schoenau and Jane Prosser, in charge of advertisements, have checked with their customers, sought out new ones, and made a list of ads for me to work with.

Once the bulk of copy is ready, the editor lays out the stories and ads in a rough draft format. This draft is then put onto desktop at Desert Secretarial. Once that is accomplished, Carolyn and I work together, adjusting the spacing on each page, inserting filler as needed, and often pulling copy because of an important late breaking article about zoning, Council votes, or important events of a timely nature. The Table of Contents containing Departments, Other Features, Contributors and Staff is then made up.

The next step requires rushing the final draft to Fiesta Printing where ads and graphics are laid into the blank spaces according to editor directions. When a proof is ready, the editor checks this out, makes any final adjustments, and happily decides it’s a “go.”

At this time Vanita Gilliam, who takes care of advertiser distribution, and Alex’s Mailing Service know about when to expect the copies they must sort and label for the trip to the main post office. Once The Peak reaches there, as many as five working days may go by before the newsletter actually reaches your mailbox.

Jane Prosser, who is in charge of billing, sends out statements, pays bills, and takes excellent care of the financial part of the Peak.

Then, before any of us know it, the whole process begins again. We are all proud of the progress made with our community newsletter over the past nine plus years. Hopefully the Peak will continue to improve and meet the varied needs of old and new subscribers.

In the interest of improving the overall quality of The Peak, new writers are welcomed. Perhaps you are interested in covering one topic or a certain aspect of life at Pinnacle Peak and would contribute occasionally. Other writers may want to make more frequent contributions. You are more than WELCOME to add to the community newsletter. Please contact Chuck Summers, 585-0273 for further information. Contributions can be sent to Liz Stapleton, Editor. Copy should be typed and in a finished format.