Georgia Magazine - July 2010 - (Page 23)

resent the state’s co-ops, for 24 years and was instrumental in organizing the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Often referred to as Georgia’s “Mr. Rural Electrification,” he served three turns as editor and contributed a monthly column. One of many editors who worked with Harrison, Ray Clifton was with RURAL Georgia for 10 years, first as managing editor, then as editor through November 1975. He recalls numerous evolutions during his decade with the publication. “We went to a web press, added color and raised the advertising revenue significantly,” says Clifton. “I sold advertising, did all the proof reading, did the layout, supervised production and wrote a lot of articles. It was almost a one-man shop.” The April 1955 edition of RURAL Georgia Clifton, who celebrated the 20th anniversary of the retired in January Rural Electrification Administration; this 2010 after 24 years as year marks its 75th. executive director of the Colorado Rural Electric Association, recalls the careers that followed for other editors who served the publication. “There were some outstanding people,” he says, noting editors Jim Wood, who became a legislator; Terry Gunn, who edited The Minuteman for the NRECA; and John B. Davenport Jr., who became a legislative director with NRECA. Following Clifton, Bill Blankinship signed on as editor of RURAL Georgia in December 1975. A journalism student fresh out of the University of Georgia in 1973, he was working as news editor at The Dublin Courier Herald when he interviewed Harrison after a Rotary Club event. Impressed with the young reporter’s efforts, Harrison offered him a job, and in September 1973, Blankinship joined the RURAL Georgia staff as a writer. “I traveled with Mr. Harrison and represented him at functions when he could not attend,” says Blankinship. “I was 23, and he was 73. He was a larger-than-life figure who had the interests of other people at heart. Being around him was unlike any experience I’ve ever had—and very positive in so many ways.” Editor from 1975 to 1980, Blankinship recalls routine operations now antiquated. “Technology in those days was just Dark Ages,” he says. “There was a type shop that set the type, pasted it up, photographed it and made a [printing] plate. It was a time-consuming, laborious process.” A circulation manager maintained metal plates with individual addresses on it that were run through a pedaloperated address machine, according to Blankinship. “It took us 10 days just to address all the issues,” he says. Improvements were on the way, though, as Georgia EMC offices relocated to Atlanta and, in 1977, the newspaper tabloid became a 32-page magazine. New columns included “Eating Out in Georgia” and “Searching Your Family Tree,” while features on everyday citizens and celebrities emerged. One of the first articles spotlighted Paul Anderson, the Georgia weightlifter once deemed the strongest man in the world. “We began to take a more aggressive posture with stories and began to map out special issues and special editions to build circulation and advertising,” says Blankinship. March 1957 Terry Gunn named editor May 1958 Walter Harrison assumes editorship again November 1958 John B. Davenport Jr. serves as editor February 1960 James B. (Bob) McCumber named editor 1960 Average circulation: 95,930 May 1960 Richard K. Parker assumes editorial role (continues as managing editor until February 1964) October 1963 Terry Gunn assumes the role again November 1955 February 1953 The Woman’s Whirl, a favorite page August 1964 Sue Hall named acting editor April 1955 20th anniversary of REA honored Jim Wood named editor July 1965 Walter Harrison takes the helm a final time www.georgiamagazine.org 23 July 2010 http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - July 2010

Georgia Magazine - July 2010
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Currents
Special Energy Report
Where the Wild Things Are
Still Going Strong
Reliving History and Exploring Nature
Around Georgia
Georgia@Home
My Georgia
Georgia Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Cookbook of the Month
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - July 2010