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We ask that press releases be submitted in writing. They may be delivered in person, by fax, postal service or e-mail. Immediate questions may be directed to Don Crim, managing editor, at (217) 221-3361 or toll free (800) 373-9444, ext. 361, or by e-mail at dcrim@whig.com. The newsroom is staffed during normal business hours, but it's best to call after 11 a.m. when everyone is less likely to be "on deadline" - working on that day's paper. If your news deals with a sports activity, call Don O'Brien, sports editor, at (217) 221-3365, or toll-free at (800) 373-9444, ext. 365, or e-mail him at dobrien@whig.com.

Phone Number: (217) 223-5100
Toll Free: (800) 373-9444
Newsroom Fax: (217) 221-3395

Press Release Guidelines
Here are some basic tips for preparing information for your
organization's news:

1. Keep it simple: If you are uncomfortable about writing, you can relax- we'll handle it. Simply provide us with the facts - a list or outline of the pertinent information and leave the writing to us.

2. Be complete: All press releases should include WHO (the name of the organization or individual), WHAT (event or honor), WHEN (date and time of day), WHERE (include address), WHY (purpose of the event or award), OTHER NEEDED DETAILS and the name and telephone number of the publicity director.

3. Be accurate: Please type or print the information. Handwriting can be easily misread. Please reread your release before you send it to make sure it is accurate and complete.

4. Be timely: We can't guarantee that your information will be published on a certain day, but we will try to publish it in accord with your publicity needs. Be sure to highlight an early registration date, for example. If a big news event involving your organization occurs, we would like to know as soon as possible. We may want to take the information over the phone for the next edition of the newspaper.

5. Keep a record: Keep a copy of press releases sent to The Herald-Whig. It could help the next publicity director, or us, if we misplace the original.

Release Times
Setting a release time for publication is good practice. Standard release times - fair to all Quincy media - are 8 a.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. So you might type at the top of the first page of your news release: FOR RELEASE AT NOON ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16. This means your story will not be printed before then.

Community Calendar
A calendar of area events is listed each Sunday on the Out and About Page. The calendar is updated throughout the week and part of it appears each weekday. The calendar lists activities of clubs, organizations and other non-profit groups throughout the region. The deadline to submit items to appear in the Sunday paper is noon Wednesday. Your announcement may appear in this calendar as well as in a news story in the regular news columns. Information for a calendar listing should include the name of the organization; time, date and place of the event; admission charge, if any; and the name and phone number of a contact person. You should contact the sports department regarding sports activities. Items for the calendar may be submitted in care of Nancy Terwelp or by e-mail to nterwelp@whig.com. Questions may be directed to Mrs. Terwelp at (217) 221-3364.

Arts & Entertainment
On Sundays, The Herald-Whig publishes an Spotlight Page with news items and features about upcoming plays, concert, exhibits and related activities. On Thursday, the Weekender page includes items out nightlight in the area. If you have a news item you would like to see published on this page, send it in care of Jessica Martin, or e-mail it to jmartin@whig.com. Questions may be directed to Ms. Martin at (217) 221-3368. The deadline for Sunday publication is noon Monday.

Living Section
The Sunday Living section includes news of weddings, engagements, anniversaries and clubs. Routine club news is printed in the Noteworthy section. We also publish a Living page on Wednesdays. Clubs News is published for the Wednesday Noteworthy column. Noteworthy items should be submitted 1 week in advance of publication. Forms for online submission of weddings, engagements and anniversariescan be found by clicking the links at the top of this page. If you choose to use them, please include information about whether you will be mailing or e-mailing a photo. Weddings and anniversaries must be submitted 14 calendar days before the desired Sunday publication. Engagement announcements should be submitted 6 business days before the desired Sunday publication date. Items may be sent in care of Jessica Martin (milestones@whig.com). Please contact her at 221-3368 with any questions.

Religion News
If your church or faith-based organization is sponsoring a special religious event - a concert, guest speaker or revival, for example - we will be glad to include this in the Church Bulletin that appears every Saturday on our Faith and Values page. Announcements of new pastors, ministers or other staff changes also are published in this column. We do not publish listings of routine and recurring church services. Church-sponsored activities that are not specifically of a religious nature, such as carry-in dinners, are published elsewhere in the newspaper. News items and photos must be submitted by noon Wednesday for Saturday publication. Please submit items in care of Tom Scott, e-mail tscott@whig.com, and call him at 221-3390 with any questions.

Business News
The "People/Professions" page that appears each Sunday in our Workplace section features brief items about honors, activities, appointments and promotions. We will be glad to publish a photo with these items. Because of the volume of such news, a week or two may pass before routine announcements are published. Press releases should be directed to Gerri Berendzen (news@whig.com). Please contact her at 221-3371 with any questions.

Letters to the Editor
Feel free to express an opinion on a subject in our Letters to the Editor column. Letters are published weekdays and Sundays. Letters should be no more than 350 words long, with a signature, home address and elephone number. We verify all letters before publication. We will publish your name and the town in which you live, but will not publish your street address or telephone number. Routine expressions of gratitude following regularly scheduled community events are not published. However, if you wish to express your thanks for a special service or remembrances on a 50th anniversary, we accept such letters for a "Thanks, Neighbor" column.
Letters may be submitted by e-mail to Executive Editor Mike Hilfrink (mhilfrink@whig.com).