Brenda Starr retired from her newspaper. Clark Kent quit the Daily Planet. And after some 45 to 50 years of being editor of Chicago journalism newsletters—Chicago Press Club, Chicago Headline Club, Chicago Press Veterans and its successor, the Chicago Journalists Association—Dan Friedlander says it is time to say “30” (the end).
He said he will miss the letters and telephone calls from members of these organizations and is proud they trusted him to do a job that he considers helping to move the First Amendment to the forefront of journalism activities by keeping Chicago area journalists connected to each other and the organizations they joined. He will not miss the “Say 30” obit column; too many of them were about long time friends.
Friedlander said he took the two page newsletters of the Headline Club and CPV to four, eight, twelve and sometimes sixteen page documents where he reported, wrote, laid out and until recent years when he asked for help, also proof read. In the last few years Susan Stevens (UPI), Stanley Ziemba (Tribune) and the late Ed Baumann (Daily News, American, Today, Tribune) worked as proof readers.
He said he never editorialized or wrote his own opinions in the newsletters preferring to present information whether gossip or more serious news. Friedlander added that every day he has an unwritten editorial page column worked out in his mind and with a little bit of ego wonders if he should have gone that route. It was offered to him several times.
He added that he enjoyed the honor of producing the newsletters and stated “I wish the very best to Chicago journalists and of their responsibility to inform the public that includes First Amendment and its significance. Where have the years and all those dreams gone? Good bye!”
Friedlander was recognized for his years of service to the Chicago Journalists Association and received an award at the organization’s recent dinner September 27.