The Acorn is published three times each year. It is meant to be used as a vehicle to share the spirit and charism of Nano Nagle, Presentation Sister Foundress, with the families, friends and benefactors of the sisters and to reflect the pride Presentation Sisters feel toward the membership and ministries in which they engage; and to promote the furtherance of their Gospel-inspired Mission. It’s circulation is more than 12,200..
Editor:
Editorial Board:
Photos
Proof Readers:
Circulation:
Layout & Designr:
Printed by:
Sr. Francine Janousek
Sr. Paula Ringuette, Sr. Petronilla Metzger, Helaine Arnold,
Catherine West, Richard Wolfert, and Becky O’Hara
Becky O’Hara, and contributed photos
Ss. Mary Jo Hasey & Petronilla Metzger, Bob O’Hara, Lawri Freeman, and Carolyn Scheibelhut
Sr. Eugenia Tessier and Volunteers
Becky O’Hara
Richtman’s Press Club, Fargo, ND
THE
ACORN
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A Brief History of The Acorn
The earliest Acorn probably began in the 1940’s or early 50’s.
It may have been published under another title. Information about this period is so sketchy that it is almost nonexistent! In November, 1969, the novices published a newsletter typed on standard letter size paper. It contained articles about sisters and their ministries. The editors were Ss. Carol and Jean. Distribution was among the sisters only. Following the turbulent years of the early 1970’s, in November, 1977, S. Paula Ringuette continued the Acorn in a typed newsletter format. Again, distribution was among the sisters only.
In November, 1979, the Acorn began being published in the newspaper format as it is known today. Distribution of the paper was expanded beyond the sisters.
S. Donna Jean Chaput, editor, 1979-89, wrote in a letter dated October, 1979, “The purpose of the paper is to facilitate communication within our congregation and with friends and benefactors who are interested in our work. It will be a channel for keeping informed on the works the sisters are doing, the experiences we are having, getting to know ourselves better.”
From mid 1989-93, S. Francine edited the paper from her place of ministry in St. Paul, MN. At that time, circulation was about 1500. In those days, the paper was put together by literally cutting and pasting.
For the first years, S. Bertha Hill typed every bit of information, some of it several times! Later, Wanda Ottesen did all the typing on computer, but it was still a cut and paste method of putting the paper together
In
mid 1993, S. Yvonne Nelson became editor. She reminisces:
“I was editor of the Acorn from 1993-1995. As was true with a few others, I began this community ministry knowing almost nothing, but with some sense of what made an article interesting or the style attractive. I received wonderful cooperation from Sisters in terms of forming an advisory board and getting the computer skills of Wanda Ottesen, business secretary, S. Mary Jo Hasey, proof reader, and S. Bernice Ewals, photographer. I did the “cutting and pasting,” an ancient method when compared with the process today. At that time the Presentation Sisters’ Development Office had been formed. A decision was made to include donors and activity of that office with more traditional human-interest stories of the Sisters’ ministries and lives. We published four times a year, and attempted to organize themes for each issue. We also designed the masthead which is still being used.”
In mid 1995, S. Jan Ihli became the editor.
Under her guidance for the next seven years, the Acorn continued to be a vehicle of communication for the Presentation Sisters with family and an ever widening circulation of friends and benefactors. Cutting and pasting on paper became cutting and pasting on a computer program. Articles could be received by regular mail or through e-mail. S. Jan and Becky O’Hara, Assistant Development Director, under the guidance of the editorial board brought the publication of the Acorn to three times a year.
Now, once again, a new leaf is turned. Compilation of the paper continues on a computer program, done by Becky O’Hara, mostly from her home in Oro Valley, AZ.!
Editing is done on computer and via e-mail. Publication will continue three times a year: April, July and November. The editorial board has been expanded and there are several new proof readers. There are also some changes in format.
It is doubtful that the early editors of the Acorn could have envisioned this publication as it is known today.
Yet here, 50-60 years later, it continues to flourish. It seems the Acorn continues to grow into a mighty oak and it is not finished growing yet!
If any of our readers have information about the Acorn prior to 1979,
especially the earliest years, we would love to hear from you!
1101 32nd Avenue South * Fargo, North Dakota 58103
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