Phoenix staff reflects on growth in 2024

Happy New Year to our valued Calhoun County Phoenix readers.

As we reflect on the year that was, our team is also looking ahead with goals and promises to deliver another quality newspaper to you each week.

Chris Nelson, Owner of the Calhoun County Phoenix, believes the newspaper has come incredibly far since its August 2022 inception. But there’s still lots to accomplish.

We’d like to familiarize you with the names behind the articles and photographs. There are many who have remained dedicated to each edition, but also some newer faces gracing our bylines.

“Telling the stories of all those in Calhoun County and keeping on top of the issues that matter to each of you, is an important promise to keep,” Nelson explains. “We continue to strive to bring you even better content and better coverage, with each edition we print and publish. There’s a great team behind this and I am thrilled to give our readers a better idea of who does what.”

Director of Graphic Design and Branding Danielle Potkonak is proud to be a veteran member of the team. “Looking back to the Phoenix’s first issue, I remember feeling honored to be part of a team that launched a new paper, but also uncertain of where this path would lead. Now, almost two and a half years later, it feels like all the worry in the beginning was almost silly,” Danielle shares. When she started, Danielle brought nearly six years of experience with The Graphic-Advocate. She lives in Iowa Falls with her husband, three kids, and a dog. “My hope for the year ahead is to continue to see the paper grow and improve. The past two years have proven that the community values their hometown paper and the importance of local journalism.” Danielle describes that proof with the milestones of receiving official newspaper designation and becoming a member of the Iowa Newspaper Association.

There’s a familiar sentiment for Kerri Dusanek, who joined the Phoenix team early in its humble beginnings. Kerri fills numerous roles at the paper, and enjoys her behind-the-scenes duties. From remote sales and invoicing and billing, to general operational duties, she’s grown to love the newspaper industry.

“I’m so excited about the growth and change we’ve had this last year with the Calhoun County Phoenix and look forward to the continued growth and playing a role in it all.”
Proud of her family’s newly renovated farmhouse, she loves time with her kids, daily hikes, and never misses taking pictures; especially of the sunrises or sunsets. She also shares life with a horse, two dogs, and a handful of chickens.

For two years now, Julia Kanne has contributed her creativity to the Phoenix and more recently it’s while keeping busy with her studies as a college freshman! Julia is passionate about farming, pottery, wrestling, and of course writing. “I hope to see this newspaper continue expanding and growing bigger for the upcoming year,” she says.
“Print is anything but dead,” says Cassandra Kyser. With more than twenty years of writing and editing experience, Cassandra joined the Phoenix this past September. One of our remote employees based in rural west-central Wisconsin, she is grateful Calhoun County residents trust her with their stories; especially the ones about agriculture, local history, and animals. She adds, “I look forward to meeting more locals in 2025.”

Brett Newtson played college hockey at St. Mary’s University-Winona Minnesota and brings that experience to his sports writing duties at the Phoenix. A former television sports anchor at several stations, Brett is married with three college-aged children. A daughter focusing on a degree in Art & Design and twin boys who play baseball at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. The St. Louis, Missouri-born story-teller is, “Looking forward to telling the stories of the teams and athletes in the area.”

A ‘Jane of All trades’ for our newspaper, Brittanie Dusenberry is a Lake City native and lives there today with her husband and four children. Brittanie started her tenure with the Phoenix in the summer of 2024. It’s yet another way she’s supporting the South Central Calhoun community! From watching her kids participate in numerous activities, and creating memories spending time with her family, Brittanie is also the high school football cheerleading coach and runs the SCC High Hoops basketball program. The current Phoenix writer, advertising, photographer, and office employee has goals for the coming year. “My goal for 2025 is to deliver more coverage, create engaging content, and grow our subscriber community,” she says.

Nelson knows he’s got a great team in order and all are focused on the mission ahead; deliver a great product to an even greater community.