Donna L. Robinson
Publisher
In my last post, I shared some of my prior education and initial interest in becoming a member of the mass print media. The interest started when I was a staff writer for my high school newspaper and continued when I became a student at Lakeland Community College. While there, I took all the journalism classes, some business classes and went to small business seminars to acquire some key knowledge to start a business. In addition, I became the editor and business manager of the student newspaper, The Lakelander, where I gave article and photo assignments to the staff members, and ran the ad campaign for two semesters.

One of the positions I am most proud of was that of vice-president of public relations for Alpha Psi Rho, Lakeland's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, and in 2003 I was one of the top five nominees for the Phi Theta Kappa "George O. Bierkoe Most Distinguished Member Award" at the regional level. I was honored to continue at the national level, representing Lakeland Community College, and won this prestigious award at the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society Convention in Anaheim, California. I will never forget going up on stage in front of over four thousand people from around the world, and having a gold medal medallion placed around my neck. I could not have done this without the education and the opportunities given to me at Lakeland Community College, and to them I give many thanks for those opportunities.

Since I started The Heart of Lake County Magazine, I have had the privilege of interviewing such noted public officials as Congressman Steven La Tourette, Commissioner Bob Aufuldish, Judge Larry Allen, Appellate Judge Diane V. Grendell, State Representative – Carol-Ann Schindel, Lake County Juvenile Judge William Weaver and Lake County Commissioner Dan Troy. In addition, I interviewed several mayors and trustee chairs from around Lake County, plus Dr. Morris Beverage from Lakeland Community College.

I have also interviewed Dan O' Shannon, the former executive producer of Frasier twice, once for The Lakelander, and also for The Heart of Lake County Magazine. While I was a member of The Lakelander, I also interviewed Richard Simmons. It was also a privilege of mine to interview Deborah Foley, the president of Lake County United Way, Ray Somich, general manager of WELW, and Jane Kaim of Larimar Homes.

Although it requires many dedicated hours, I thoroughly love the challenge of being the publisher, editor-in-chief, and a writer of a “positive” uplifting, high-quality publication that is being received well by all those who have read it. When I first started, I promised my readers that I would not resort to muckraking or tabloid journalism, and I do my best to live up to that promise. People want to read about the great assets of Lake County, and the special people that reside and work in our communities, and that will continue to be my goal for each issue.

My message to you, the readers is this; if you have an opportunity to pursue your passion, don't hesitate to reach out to a great learning institution to gain the knowledge you need, whether it is at Lakeland, or elsewhere. The sky is the limit in what you can learn to realize your dream. The Heart of Lake County Magazine is my dream. May it last as long as it can, and may I never wake up from it. Read and enjoy – The Heart of Lake County Magazine is all about you!

 

Mid July - Mid October 2008 Staff
 

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Donna L. Robinson

Associate Editor

Seabright McCabe

Feature Editors

Pets, Jane Babinsky
Home Décor, Kathleen Carter
Culinary Arts, Judith Ann Fallow
Beauty Page, Monique M. Hahn
Religion, Jason Lewis
Travel & Leisure, Nancy Norris
Legal, Scott J. Robinson, Esq.

Art Director/Senior Designer

Cynthia J. Henderson

Assistant Designer

Kelly Cook

Photo Editors

Cynthia J. Henderson
Donna L. Robinson
Kelly Cook

Senior Photographer

Lori Diemer

Cartoonist

Ted V. Robinson, Jr.

Legal Counsel

Scott J. Robinson, Esq.

Secretary

Blanche S. Tash

Director of Marketing & Advertising

Donna L. Robinson

Business Manager

Donna L. Robinson

Contributing Writers

Lynne E. Armington
Jane Babinsky
Jessie Baginski
Lori Diemer
Carrie Dotson
Anne H. Doyle
Judith Ann Fallow
Andrea Galbraith
Angela Gartner
Monique M. Hahn
Jennifer Hrovat
Patrick Hughes
Melissa A. Kerwood
Reanna Laszlo
Jason R. Lewis
J.T. McBride
Angel Montavon
Staci Newring
Nancy Norris
Bob Quail
Patricia Racic
Ruth Revecky
Donna L. Robinson
Jean Rothman
Carol Saferin
Ruth Sanborn
Raymond C. Somich
Joe Zentner
 

Webmaster

Cynthia J. Henderson
 

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