At its core, a newspaper is built on its people, whether reporters, editors, advertising representatives, graphic designers, paginators, pressmen or delivery drivers.
For 14 years, one of those key people at Larson Newspapers has been Jo Page. Aside from typesetting public notices, obituaries, letters to the editor, columns, 99% of our press releases, stories and photo captions from remote staffers, she also served as the News Department’s point of contact and executive secretary, prepping press releases for print, forwarding news tips and story ideas to staffers, keeping our columnists on schedule, and, for the Sedona Red Rock News, writing the popular Red Rock Past column and assembling the annual Year in Review story.
She retired, for the third time, last week. Current and past staffers send their thanks:
“I had the privilege of working with Jo for more than eight years,” former city reporter Ron Eland wrote. “I always appreciated her knowledge of journalism and professionalism but even more, I appreciated her friendship. In some ways she was kind of the office mom, always making sure everyone was doing well. I wish her nothing but happiness in her retirement. I know she will definitely be missed at the Sedona Red Rock News.”
“Jo made writers want to try their best,” former Cottonwood and Camp Verde reporter Jon Hecht wrote. “She was always on top of whatever she was needed to do and was a pleasure to work with.”
“One of the biggest challenges for any reporter moving to a new area is finding sources and stories,” former sports reporter Michael Dixon wrote. “In my first few weeks — which were in the summer, not exactly a busy time for a sports reporter — Jo was consistently good at passing stuff along to me. Stuff that was that just meant to be a fun blurb or release that she felt I might be able to get a good story out of. She did the same thing months later when I was more familiar with the area but was struggling with content due the COVID shutdowns in the spring and summer of 2020. She was a big help to myself and I am sure other reporters in similar roles. That was and remains well appreciated and I wish Jo nothing but the best in retirement.”
“I wish Jo all the best in her retirement and hope that the transition goes smoothly,” Cottonwood and Camp Verde photojournalist Daulton Venglar wrote. “Thank you for giving me the heads up on events happening around the Verde Valley over the past five and some change years. You will truly be missed.”
“I’m thankful to have worked with Jo during my time at Sedona Red Rock News,” former city reporter Juliana Walter wrote. “She was always helpful and attentive in the newsroom. I wish her all the best in retirement.”
“My time working at Sedona Red Rock News was made all the more memorable because of my sassy ‘work Auntie’ Jo Page,” wrote Sedona Public Library columnist and former graphic designer Jan Marc Quisumbing. “She was my estate sale partner in crime, letting me know when a good one was coming up and taking time out of her busy day to chat and share a laugh. I appreciate her and wish her all the best and want her to know she is thought of fondly and will be missed.”
“While the Sedona Red Rock News staff inevitably evolved throughout the days, weeks and years, Jo’s gentle smile and kind heart were a constant that’s far too rare in the news business,” former sports reporter Austin Turner wrote. “Congratulations to Jo on retirement and thank you for the effortless positivity in the chaotic environment that is the daily news.”
“Jo Page has been a pleasure to work with on the editorial team here at Larson Newspapers,” Cottonwood and Camp Verde reporter Alyssa Smith wrote. “She would send me press releases and agenda items to make sure I didn’t miss any potential story ideas. Her expertise and attention to detail will be missed.”
“Jo had a great sense of humor and I enjoyed her tongue-in-cheek attitude to events,” copy editor and reporter Tim Perry wrote. “I’ll also miss going through the back issues with her whenever she’d come across something fascinating while doing the Red Rock Past column and call it out — and she was always a wealth of information about the Verde Valley and its past shenanigans.”
“It was a pleasure working with Jo. She always had great leads for photo ideas,” former photojournalist Jordan Reece wrote. “I can still hear her smacking the mouse on the mouse pad and mumbling under her breath, complaining about the computer not working right. I remember laughing to myself when she got reprimanded for beating the mouse on the pad too hard. Take care, Jo, it was a pleasure working with you.”
“Page’s time at Larson Newspapers was an invaluable contribution to its staff and the Verde Valley community,” city reporter Joseph K. Giddens wrote. “Her presence often was a calming force when I walked into the office on production mornings with too much caffeine in my system.”
“Jo has always been kind and thoughtful not only in her words, but in her actions. When my daughter was born she gave me some of her son’s baby clothes that she had held on to,” photojournalist David Jolkovski wrote. “She always kept an eye out for anything happening in the community that would be good for me to photograph. It’s a testament to her character that everyone I have met who knows Jo says nothing but wonderful things about her — and that’s a lot of people.”
“Jo has been an amazing asset for our organization for the past 14 years. Her personality and incredible attention to detail will surely be missed both around the office and the Verde Valley,” General Manager Kyle Larson wrote.
“Jo Page was a strong member of the Larson Newspapers team. She started 14 years ago and remained in her typesetting position beyond her 65th birthday. She has always been there for us, and as Owner and Publisher of Larson Newspapers I want to thank her personally for helping all the people she worked with. She will always be remembered by myself and many others,” Bob Larson wrote. “Enjoy your well-earned retirement.”
She is loved. She will be missed.
Christopher Fox Graham
Managing Editor
From Jo Page:
On 1/17/2024 6:51 PM, Jo Page wrote:
I heard about the editorial from my friend Rebecca, but could not access it until tonight when it showed up on Facebook.
We left for Phoenix Tuesday morning and won’t be back until Thursday night (doctor and other appointments).
Please let everyone know how much I appreciate their kind comments and thoughts. Very unexpected but very much appreciated.
I can’t find an emoji for tears, but rest assured they are coming now….
Thank you all so very much. I enjoyed working with all of you and already miss you……
Jo
