National Press Club recognizes
Eagle columnist for use of humor
By Alan Lecker
Berkshire Eagle Staff
June 9, 2005
Berkshire Eagle columnist Bill Shein will be honored
by the National Press Club
in Washington next month for best humor column in the
single-entry category of the organization's annual journalism
awards.
Shein, a 38-year-old resident of Monterey, was recognized
for an Aug. 25, 2004, column that appeared on The Eagle's
op-ed page. Titled "Interview
with 'The Scream,'" it took a humorous look at
the theft of the famous Edvard Munch painting "The
Scream" from a museum in Oslo, Norway.
Shein yesterday said he was honored by his selection
for the press club's Angele Gingras Humor Award.
"It's nice to have my work recognized and have The
Eagle recognized for giving me the opportunity to share
my thoughts," Shein said.
Shein has written for The Eagle for more than a year.
His op-ed page column runs every Wednesday and his column
on Page B1, called "Reason Gone Mad," appears
every Sunday.
"We've made Bill a weekly columnist, and the reason
is that he really connects with readers; he brings a smile
to their faces," said Eagle Executive Editor Tim
Farkas. "Humor is important in newspapers, and Bill
fills that niche for us. His award is well-earned."
Shein has worked as a comedy writer for AOL, the Comedy
Channel and Nickelodeon, and was part of Gary Hart's presidential
campaign in 1984 and Paul Simon's White House bid in 1988.
In 2004, Shein conducted a
mock campaign for the presidency that was intended
to raise public awareness about the perils of voter apathy.
He made appearances as a candidate known as Will Markson.
He said he is currently working on a book about democratic
reform.
Shein will be formally presented with the award and a
$1,000 prize during a National Press Club dinner July
18. Eleven different awards will be presented by Rick
Dunham of Business Week, the club's current president.
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