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The Statesman begins new year under fourth generation ownership
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1/3/08 > KEWASKUM- The area’s oldest, independent weekly newspaper has entered fourth generation ownership. After 20 years as publisher, Lana Harbeck-Kuehl has sold the operation to her son, Andrew, and daughter-in-law Nicole Kuehl.
Andrew is the great-grandson of the late Don Harbeck, who began the Harbeck family’s now 91 year stint of continuous family ownership. Harbeck-Kuehl purchased the newspaper from her parents, Marcie and the late Bill Harbeck in 1988.
“We’ve been planning this change since late summer,” stated Lana Kuehl. Andrew has been significantly involved in the family operation since he was 16, taking on a management role in 1998. His wife, Nicole has been employed at the operation since 2000.
“I’m so happy to see Andy and Nicki taking over the paper, Bill would be so proud of him. They work very well together, a lot like Bill and I did, I know they will continue to carry on our family’s tradition of excellent journalism,” stated Publisher Emeritus Marcie Harbeck.
Lana will continue her over 40-year career in the newspaper, as editor of the newspaper, sharing that role with Andrew. Nicole will continue in her role as pagination editor where she has served since 2002 when The Statesman switched to an all-digital publishing format.
The most significant change during Lana’s tenure as publisher was the change from Compugraphic typesetting to Apple Computers which occurred in the mid-1990’s. “That along with changing to an all digital pagination format, had to be the most challenging, and different change in my newspaper career, but throughout my career, I’ve always had very dedicated employees who always did what needed to get done to print the paper,” stated Lana.
Lana stated she was also pleased to have worked side-by-side with her parents and then later her two sisters who entered different career fields but later came into the business.
“Readers will not notice any changes in the paper at the present time. We’re very excited about being able to carry on my family’s long tradition in the newspaper business,” stated Andrew Kuehl.
The current staff will stay the same with the exception of Sheri (Harbeck) Baldikowski who ahs retired as a sales person. Baldikowski also helped found the very well read Savvy Seniors publication that will continue. Bonnie Wenzlaff of Kewaskum will take over for Baldikowski as a sales representative.
Cheryl Kuehl, who started with the Harbecks in 1980, (when Andrew was born) will continue to serve as an integral part of The Statesman’s daily operation as advertising sales manager. Carole (Harbeck) Timblin will continue as office assistant. Sports writing will continue with Judy Harlow and Nathan Kenworthy, while education reporting will continue from Amber Donath.
The Statesman continues to grow with over 3,400 subscribers. The organization also has a number of niche publications such as Savvy Seniors and The Kettle Moraine Visitor’s Guide.
“One of the significant changes facing us is advancing into the digital publishing age. Nicole and I both realize this change as our presence on the internet grows. We have plans already in place to begin offering a completely digital version of the paper on our website,” stated Andrew.
The Statesman’s website receives an average of 150 hits per day, with the highest being almost 1,000 during a news event in 2006.
“It is my sincere hope this area will continue their support of our efforts to keep an independent newspaper in this community,” concluded Lana Harbeck-Kuehl, adding, “ultimately, even through a fifth generation of our family.”
Andrew and Nicole reside in Kewaskum with their two children, Hunter, 6 and Riley 1.
STATESMAN HISTORY SIDEBAR: Charles E Krahn founded the Kewaskum Statesman on October 5, 1895. George Schmidt purchased a one-half interest in the paper in April 1909 and became the sole owner in September 1910.
In 1917, Don Harbeck Bill’s father, and Art Schaefer purchased the paper from Schmidt. Schafer died in 1932 and Don became the sole owner.
Upon Don’s death in 1954, Bill and Marcie purchased the operation and served as publishers until selling to Lana. Marcie worked part-time for the paper until 2004, but continues to check-in the office weekly.
The Statesman Office was located at 250 Main Street from 1935 until 2004 when it moved to 355 Main Street. It moved to its present location at 240 Main Street in 2006.
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