The SPJ-DC chapter’s holiday party Dec. 5 brought together longtime members with some newcomers and a few journalists-in-training, including some students from Howard University. The setting was the Gordon Biersch brewery in downtown D.C. –- a repeat location for the chapter that has proved to be a popular draw. The crowd numbered at least 30. While there was no formal program, chapter president Julie Asher took the opportunity to present year pins to those members marking a milestone in their SPJ membership in 2011.
The national SPJ office had forwarded a pin and a letter of recognition for 16 chapter members; the letter highlighted what was happening in the country the year the members joined SPJ, thanked them for contributions to the organization and noted that SPJ’s mission “is needed now more than ever.” Those on hand to receive pins were: 35 years, Mary Crowley, an newsletter editor and former SPJ-DC chapter president (1989-90), and John C. Henry, retired from The Associated Press; 15 years, Tony Spence, director and editor-in-chief of Catholic News Service; and 10 years, Amy Reinink, freelancer and current SPJ-DC chapter board member.