Posted on Sunday, January 01, 2006
Resident-Run Newspaper Delivers Community News for Tenth Season By Danielle Rexrode THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE With nearly 2,000 residents, 87-acres, and its own voting precinct, it seems only natural that Oak Crest would have its own community newspaper. Each month a group of seasoned journalists and novices alike come together to create a first-rate, in-house publication. John Bartgis is editor of the eight-page newspaper titled, Our Village Voice. “Our goal is to interest, educate, and encourage people to want to pick up the paper and enjoy reading it,” says John, who experienced a successful career in newspapers, first as an editor at the Baltimore Sun and then as deputy metro editor at the former Washington Star. John was thrilled to get his hands back in the newspaper business when he joined Our Village Voice as editor early in 2003. His goal: to take the paper into a new era. “For years, the paper has served as a great creative outlet for writers who live here. Now it’s evolved into more of a newspaper with timely articles and features that pertain to the community and hopefully appeal to  more people on campus,”he says. Read All About It The paper, whose inaugural issue appeared back in August 1995, now has a dedicated volunteer staff of 13 men and women. The writers cover everything from current events and travel articles to book reviews and brain teasers. Most issues include features about interesting people who live at Oak Crest and in-depth pieces on how the community functions. The paper currently is in search of a seasoned cartoonist to be a regular contributor. Concert Series in Catonsville The Chapel Concert Series is held in the Our Lady of	Charlestown More Charlestown High heat costs may chill your budget this winter The ‘Net’ effect Erickson Health's off-site medical clinic officially opens in Howard County Concert Series in Catonsville Read or Add a Comment? A call to end Erie Pa.'s relationship with "sister city" Zibo, China, and all Chinese imports. No URL for Riderwood Blog Laughter Yoga Happy hour hot spots? Model yacht clubs Your thoughts on Reflexology Tools Write a Comment on Story Print Email Story Add to Favorites
the Angels Chapel on the Charlestown campus in Catonsville. The concerts begin at 3 p.m.; admission is free and open to the public. No reservations are required. Contributions will be received during intermission. For more information, call Corinne Wheeler at 410-242-1009. Upcoming Performances January 15 Evensong, Nancy Stavely and the Adult Choir of St. John’s Episcopal Church January 22 All Saints Mass Choir,Dr. Kenneth Dean, Jr., Director February 5 Piano Recital, Virginia Reinecke February 12 The Romantic Trombone,A “drawing room” style concert February 26 The University of Delaware Chorale,Dr. Paul Head, Director

“We meet every third Monday to discuss the upcoming issue,” says John. “Beforehand, I’ll compile a list of ideas from the staff, people in the community, etc. For example, I found out that we had a group here on campus that was  taking a cruise to the Caribbean during the time Hurricane Wilma hit. So I asked one of the travelers if she would put down their experiences in words to feature in the paper,” he says.

All articles submitted to the paper undergo standard editing practices and writers are required to adhere to a policy of guidelines for Our Village Voice in order to create uniformity within the paper.

Much of the layout,design, and photography is left in the capable hands of Tom Foster [who John warmly refers to as “my man Friday”], one of the original volunteers whose work appeared in the first issue of Our Village Voice.

“I am proud of the appearance, content, and quality of the paper,” says Tom who lays out the paper on his home computer.

Tom estimates he logs nearly 100 hours a month producing the paper.

“Since John came on, the paper has very much improved. He’s a real pro. Despite being a monthly publication, the articles are timely and useful and I think it is better than many commercial community newspapers,” says Tom.

Our Village Voice produces two color issues every year and recently turned out a 16-page color 10th Anniversary Issue featuring pictorials of the history of Oak Crest which opened the same year the paper began.

Oak Crest financially backs the newspaper, providing monies for the printing of approximately 2,100 copies a month. They also supply the software and hardware needed to design the paper and transmit it to the printer.

“We have total editorial freedom,” says John. “The administration here at Oak Crest never interferes or dictates what goes into the paper. We appreciate having that freedom of the press.”

John retired from the office of public affairs at Johns Hopkins Medical Campus as senior editor in 1997. Since then he has continued to handle freelance editing assignments for Hopkins.

“They say once you’ve got printer’s ink in your veins you can never get it out,” says John.