Happy birthday, Nancy Reese
Let’s take a moment to wish the happiest of VizEds birthdays to Nancy Reese, an Assistant Graphics Editor at the Chicago Tribune.
When I began work at the Tribune in October 1999, I was very much a fish out of water. The place was a little too big for me, at the time. I never really understood the politics of that newsroom. I still don’t.
Nancy noticed my discomfort and took me under her wing. It’s a credit to her that I did any notable work at all during my two-and-a-half years there. She was a wonderful and patient mentor.
For the last few years, the Tribune has capitalized on Nancy’s technical expertise by having her work on the paper’s transition to a more modern publishing system. When I last saw Nancy — about a year-and-a-half ago — she seemed productive and happy.
One of the last pieces I built at the Tribune was this look at the jam-packed transportation hub better known as O’Hare. Our coordinators were tied up at the time, so Nancy elected to work with me, reporting the piece and writing it herself.
She was a pleasure to collaborate with: flexible and supportive. I wish I could have worked with her more. The resulting full-page graphic is still a highlight of my portfolio and is a frequent component in my slide shows:
Nancy shares a birthday with actors Matt Damon, Sigourney Weaver and Chevy Chase and politician Jessie Jackson.
Plus, today is American Tag Day — the day in which the American Humane Society pushes us to put tags on our dogs and cats. Seriously.
Who knew there was a whole day for that? American Tag Hour or American Tag Minute — now, those I can see. But American Tag Day?
Ah. I see I’m digressing again.
Best wishes for a very happy birthday, Nancy!