Letters: PA Mirror was a ‘paper ahead of its time’; Deaths of Lewis, Vivian leave colossal void
PA Mirror was a ‘paper ahead of its time’
I’m eager to read Terry Nau’s book about the PA Mirror and CDT. To provide further context for his book, Mr. Nau could’ve called me. I am the youngest granddaughter of entrepreneur J.E. “Ted” Holtzinger.
Grampa Ted was the Founding Father of the Penn State Altoona Campus and a publishing company — JE Holtzinger Papers, which held the PA Mirror (TPM). TPM was a paper ahead of its time, running full color every day in the ‘70s. It was a morning paper in an afternoon market; it won numerous awards for regional and statewide journalism.
Grampa’s son, my father — also a Penn State graduate — was the circulation manager at TPM and my mom, a Penn State graduate, too, was circulation clerk. It was the 1970s, and although the women’s lib movement was in full force, my mom felt guilty about going to work and leaving my sister and I in someone else’s care, so Mom did what most mothers at the time could not: took us to work with her.
I could be found at TPM playing or hanging out in Dad’s office or in the pressroom, stuffing circulars into the paper and bundling them for carriers. I was 5.
Mr. Nau, the PA Mirror was no “pet project.” It was a source of innovation; a workplace where mothers were encouraged to bring their children; a place where a child would develop the same kind of workhorse mentality and the entrepreneurial spirit of her grandfather.
Deaths of Lewis, Vivian leave colossal void
On Friday, July 17, America lost two irreplaceable men: Rep. John Lewis and the Rev. C.T. Vivian. Lewis was a sharecropper’s son, born below the Mason-Dixon Line into the unhealed wounds of slavery. Vivian, born in Missouri, spent his quiet childhood and college years in Illinois. These two men were connected. Both repeatedly stood on the front lines of the civil rights movement. Both willingly put their bodies in the pathway of violent police officers and angry white southerners. Both were beaten and jailed. Both fought endlessly to dismantle the twin evils of racism and white supremacy.
Vivian and Lewis, bonded by our country’s ongoing struggle for justice, set an example for all of us. Uncowed by societies appalling cruelty toward African Americans, they stood firm, ready to lay down their lives so that their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, might become truly free. They repeatedly embraced nonviolent practices when confronted with physical and emotional brutality; and unflinchingly spoke truth to power, from the pulpit, in front of screaming white hordes, and to presidents sitting in the Oval office.
As our world struggles to confront and dismantle systemic racial inequality – Lewis and Vivian will be remembered. Their endurance, grace and decency in the face of ongoing abuse and degradation will be missed. In the days, weeks and years ahead, we will mourn their passing and long for their living examples of resilience, courage, and uncomplicated morality. Their deaths leave us with a colossal void.
Together, we must fill it.
Giving the 76th District a voice in Harrisburg
Have you noticed the condition of the rural and state roads in our area? They are in need of improvement, and with winter around the corner, they will only get worse. But do we have anyone in Harrisburg working on behalf of our district? I haven’t heard of anyone! Joe Waltz will be that person. He understands the need for adequate funding, not only for the cities, but also for our rural areas like those in the 76th District. Joe will work hard to give us a voice in our state government!
Joe Waltz will be present during House sessions and will vote in order to represent our area. He will use his voice to unite the voters of the 76th District rather than creating division based on party or religion. He will be a voice for all of us!
Please join me in voting for Joe Waltz as our 76th District Representative in the Pennsylvania House. He will make sure we are heard in Harrisburg!