Archive for the ‘PeKu News’ Category

PeKu News- All Remains Quiet

Monday, June 8th, 2015

calendarLast week I wrote about the quietness at PeKu. No changes to publications, no new features, just a differently calm month was had in May. Apparently, the quietness is becoming a pattern, as this week there are no recognitions to be made. No new team members were added. No one moved on to new ventures over the past month. No anniversaries are being celebrated.

This, too, has a slight sense of oddness to it. With a team of 16 writers, 2 engineering members, a video creator, and an editor, we almost always have an anniversary to celebrate. However, if I reflect, it really isn’t that strange. When I worked as an elementary teacher, we would chart the birthdays by month. In some classes, there were months without a single birthday. Even with 20-25 students, it’s possible to have a birthday-free month. So, why not an anniversary-free month?

While I miss not being able to celebrate any team member’s anniversary, there are perks to this quiet. As the CEO, it means I didn’t have to spend time in May searching for new team members. It also means that I didn’t have to say goodbye to someone. Sometimes quiet can be good.

Behind the scenes, there’s definitely plenty going on at PeKu. July’s highlights and news will be filled with notes of change. No sneak peeks here! Be sure to return in July to read about all of the exciting things happening at PeKu!

PeKu News- May 2015

Monday, May 11th, 2015

peonyWe have peonies in our front yard, which have supports that we add once they’re about a foot tall. These plants grow not far from my office window, so I get the pleasure of seeing them everyday. At the beginning of last week, when I glanced at them, they were barely beginning to grow for the season; they might have been six inches tall.  We had wonderfully warm and sunny weather last week, which inspired these plants to grow. They grew so much that yesterday we needed to add their supports. Looking at them today, they must be nearly a foot and a half tall!

Change is funny like that. For weeks these plants were just tiny stalks awaiting their growth spurt. Over the past seven days, they’ve grown in leaps and bounds. While it probably is a while until we see their gorgeous blooms, their daily development is astounding.

At PeKu we’ve experienced a number of changes over the past two months. Two of our long-term writers have left our team to move forward on new ventures. Ronald A. Rowe began writing for us in February 2009 when PeKu wasn’t even a year old. Jason Lightner joined the team in July 2010, as we marked our second birthday. Combined, these two columnists wrote thousands of wonderful columns over the years. I will miss their humor, insights, and thoughts on so many different topics.

As I mentioned last month, we have added new writers to the PeKu team to fill these gaps. This month we are adding another new columnist to our team. Cricket Webber joins us, penning columns for Feathers Fins and Fur, ‘Bout Home, and Little Bit of Green. From informing our audience on edible and decorative plants to inspiring us with home decorating ideas, she is sure to add zest to our publications.

While it is hard to say goodbye to team members who I have gotten to know so well, it is exciting to work with new people and experience topics through their thoughts. Please join me in wishing the best to Ron and Jason and welcoming Cricket.

PeKu News- April 2015

Monday, April 13th, 2015

Spring floweringI hate to be repetitive, but it is another gorgeous day in New Hampshire. After a winter filled with below freezing temperatures and many feet of snow, it is wonderful to go outside, see the sun, and feel the warmth of a spring day.  I truly am appreciating the fact that I don’t have to wear a scarf and gloves.

As we appreciate the warmth and sunshine of April, it also is time to take notice of anniversaries and new hires at PeKu.

  • Our columnist, Marnie Bii, marks her one year anniversary at PeKu this month.  She writes on a variety of topics, including fashion bargains, pet care, home shopping, and healthy eating, among other subjects. She truly is a writer with great capacity for research!
  • Joan Jacobsen, our senior fitness expert, celebrates her second one year anniversary at PeKu. Joan had written for us for a little over a year during 2011 and 2012. She returned to us in April 2014 and has written monthly since then, inspiring our mature readers to add fitness to their schedules.
  • Our first new hire is C. Finkbeiner, who writes on Feathers Fins and Fur and Your Parenting Info. She will be focusing on pet fostering, animal rescues, and parenting children with special needs. We look forward to reading her insights.
  • Our second new hire is Lana Bandoim, whose first articles will publish next week. Lana will be writing about fashion and beauty bargains, romantic travel plans, and wedding planning. Whether you’re looking for information or inspiration on any of these topics, be sure to look for Lana’s articles.

Just like the emerging blooms outside my windows, we are seeing new growth here at PeKu. It looks like April is going to be a bright month!

PeKu News- March 2015

Monday, March 9th, 2015

snow flowersWe’re into the second week of March and most of New Hampshire is excited. Why is that? The temperature has been above freezing for three consecutive days! As the winter starts to wind down and spring approaches, it is a delight to have temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s. If you don’t live in a cold region of the globe, you’re probably questioning how temperatures that low can feel warm, but trust me, they do.

So, as I sit at my desk and look at the slowly descending snowbanks, I am excited for the reappearance of bare sidewalks, green lawns, and more. I also am excited to take note of this month’s anniversaries at PeKu. Courtesy of some sort of karma or fate, this month’s two anniversaries belong to our two teen columnists.

  • Sam P. has been writing for us for the past four years. Over this time she has expanded her writing repertoire to include the teen column at Your Parenting Info, eco-friendly tips at ‘Bout Green, teen fashion and DIY at Go Shopping Info, among other topics.
  • Krysten Gouveia is one of our newer writers and is marking her first anniversary at PeKu this month.  Krysten is our environmental specialist, covering all sort of topics within the genres of fashion and personal care. To read her articles, be sure to visit ‘Bout Green every Wednesday.

These writers offer just a couple of the unique perspectives that you can find when reading PeKu columns. Be sure to return daily to see what is new from Sam, Krysten, and the rest of our team.

PeKu News- February 2015

Monday, February 9th, 2015

EY_February-Highlights_2015Just as one is amazed at how quickly a child grows up, so am I amazed at how long it has been since PeKu was launched. This July marks PeKu’s seventh birthday.  In some ways it doesn’t seem possible that this company has existed for so long. I can’t possibly have been working on this project/business for that long.

What is even more amazing is that two of my writers have been with PeKu since almost the very beginning. Jane Wangersky and Ronald Rowe began writing for PeKu six years ago this February.  As my most senior writers, they have been through so many changes. They knew us when we were Wasabi Media Group. They have written for publications that have gone by the wayside. They continue to write for publications that have seen changes both in content and design. Throughout all of this time, they have been constants- excellent writers who provide inspiration and information for our readers.

Jane Wangersky has a two day headstart on Ron, as she began writing on February 18th. Jane writes on a variety of topics, including cooking, parenting, and travel. If you are seeking advice for parenting teens, be sure to check out Jane’s biweekly column on Your Parenting Info.

Ronald Rowe may have started a whopping two days later, but he keeps pace well. Ron is one of our go-to writers, who covers an array of topics. Currently you can find him writing about gardening, pets, eco-friendly living, home organization, and parenting. If you are thinking about adding a cat or dog to your family, be sure to check out his monthly breed spotlight columns on Feathers Fins and Fur.

It has been my pleasure to work with Jane and Ron for the past six years. I look forward to many more years of articles from both of them!

 

Inspire. Inform. Engage.