Limited Edition Newspaper-Themed Covid Masks From Grandma Geri

By Paul Glader

Strolling through the hallways at The King’s College in NYC one day, we discovered one of our students, Bailey Kaufman, wearing a newspaper-patterned Coronavirus mask.

“Where did you obtain that cool mask?”

“My grandma made it!” she said.

We asked if Grandma Geri could make more? And, yes, Bailey spoke with her grandmother, who graciously agreed to do so. Now you can have one of these limited edition masks, while supplies last, for your donation to MPJI of $75 or more here. Each donation supports both MPJI and Grandma Jeri’s thread, cloth and thimble fund.

Meanwhile, we also wanted to learn more below about Geri and why she makes these masks.

Name: Geri Lanc

Birthdate: 1/3/1946

Location: Born in Columbus, Neb. now lives in Lincoln, Neb.

Glader: How did you start making masks and where did you find this newspaper-oriented fabric?

Lanc: I started making masks when virus first hit and Bailey needs masks for going back to New York City. We originally found the fabric at Hobby Lobby and when we went back to make more we found a similar pattern off of Etsy. 

Glader: How long have you been sewing and how did you learn how to do so? 

Lanc: I have been sewing since 1966. My husband bought me my first sewing machine. Then, I bought a pattern one day and taught myself. 

Glader: Please tell us about your sewing machine, sewing room and practice of how often you sew? 

Lanc: My sewing machine is called a new home and is in a sewing cabinet with table attached. My sewing room is an all-purpose room and recently I have moved my dogs’ beds in there to keep me company. I only sew when someone in our family needs something hemmed or made for them. 

Glader: Do you read newspapers and, if so, which ones?

Lanc: Yes. Columbus Telegraph, The New York Times, and Lincoln Journal Star.

Glader: What is your perspective on news and information in the U.S., especially local news during your lifetime? 

Lanc: Living in David City area there wasn’t a lot of access to news. From what I have seen things have gotten hectic and is less relaxing to read compared to 50 years ago. You have to keep up with things or else you’re lost. Back then, the sheriff’s department would have a write up every week in the newspaper and it was big news to us. 

Glader: What should friends of The King’s College and McCandlish Phillips Journalism Institute know about you, Bailey and the rest of your family? 

Lanc: I am a middle child of 9. I was a farmer’s wife working side by side with him on our farm. Once the farm crisis hit, we were involved with a bank that went bankrupt so I went to work since they froze our funds which led me to go to Columbus to work in an office. My son, Greg, took over our farm after my husband passed away. My daughter, Brenda, is my first born and Bailey’s mother. When my daughter graduated high school and went to college, she left the farm life and went to Lincoln. My daughter gave me three beautiful grandchildren. I believe everyone should learn how to sew and I have bought my first two grandchildren sewing machines as wedding presents. Bailey is my youngest grandchild and I am so proud of how hard working she is and chasing her dreams in New York City. She has been involved in sports, academics, and fashion. She studies Business Administration and minors in Media Studies. 

Glader: What message would you like to offer to journalism students (and other majors) at The King’s College as we head into the holidays and 2021?

Lanc: Be safe and wear a mask!

Glader: In your hometown, what is the situation like regarding Coronavirus infection rates and carefulness with masks? 

Lanc: It is pretty bad out here. Lincoln is bad, but some of the smaller towns are worse. These small towns around us do not take it as seriously and some of the people here in the city. I refuse to go out to eat in any of those towns since some of the servers do not wear masks. 

Glader: How are you doing managing health and safety for you, your friends and family during this pandemic? 

Lanc: I don’t see my family often. I have my dogs and will take them for walks out at the acreage instead of city. I just had my yearly checkup and so far, at my age, I don’t take any pills and am perfectly healthy. My social life is down to zero except for the occasional phone calls to my sisters or Bailey. I keep my mask on me at all times and will rarely go to the grocery store, but when I do I pick up necessary items. 

Glader: What did you think of Bailey’s decision to attend The King’s College in NYC? And what do you think of her decision now that Bailey has studied here for a while?

Lanc: This was a big opportunity for her and I knew I’d miss her all the time. When she first told me that she was going to go to continue to play soccer in New York City I was excited for her! It’s not like I could drive up and visit her. I love New York so much and wish I could just live with her. Since she has been there for a while I have always worried about her from what I watch on the news. I know she will never come back to Nebraska to live and I will miss that but it is an opportunity to go wherever she desires. Bailey is a smart and determined girl whatever she chooses to do she is committed and puts her all into it. 

Would you like a mask of your own? Donate today:

• With donation of $75 you will receive a newspaper-printed mask

• With a donation of $250 you will receive a a newspaper-printed mask, and MPJI tote bag, and pen

• With a donation of $500 you will receive a mask and a choice of book (Blindspot, The City)

  Click here to donate and specify MPJI in the dropdown menu: https://www.tkc.edu/donate/

Thank you for supporting MPJI and student journalism!

Fall ‘20 NYCJ Students Use Internships to Cover Elections and COVID-19

NYCJ Fall 2020 students Destinee Evans and Marlena Lang having a lunch meeting with Prof. Paul Glader and Prof. Clemente Lisi

Students who are part of the NYC Semester in Journalism (NYCJ) program have had plenty of success in their internships this Fall, covering the recent presidential election and the ongoing pandemic for a number of news organizations.   

This semester’s students followed in the footsteps of past NYCJ classes by participating in the unique semester-long, off-campus study program operated by the McCandlish Phillips Journalism Institute at The King’s College in NYC.

“I am most proud of two articles that I wrote for my internship at Newsweek. The first was my very first article about mail-in ballot controversies around the nation,” said Marlena Lang, a Biola student who is part of the magazine’s newly-formed fact-checking team. “I was proud of this article because not only was it my first, but it is also the longest one I have completed after spending two days researching and writing it.

Lang said the other piece she is most proud was about the Pfizer vaccine “because I pitched them the idea and then completed the research and wrote the article.”

Destinee Evans and Marlena Lang in Battery Park

Destinee Evans, a student from Olivet Nazarene University, said her internship at the New York Daily News allowed her to cover COVID-19 and its impact on the Big Apple.

“During this internship, I have been able to interview families of people who may have just lost a loved one but getting to tell amazing stories about the people they love has been rewarding,” she added. “It can be a lot to take in sometimes but getting over the fear of talking to new people is something I will take with me throughout my career.”  

Students taking part in the eleventh NYCJ cohort that chose to come to New York in person this semester took advantage of TKC’s hybrid model, a mix of both online and in person classes as well as their internship. The students are enrolled in classes including Entrepreneurial Journalism with Prof. Paul Glader and a course called The City taught by Anne Hendershott. The City course – required of all NYCJ students – also serves as an elective for King’s students.

Under the guidance of Prof. Clemente Lisi, a former editor at the New York Post and New York Daily News, the students work 20 hours per week in a New York City newsroom, earning six academic credits and pursuing bylines.

Being able to live and work in New York City remains a huge appeal to students.

“Living in New York has been an amazing experience that I was worried would not happen,” Evans said. “Getting to go different places in the city with new friends has been fun. I know it’s not the same as semesters in the past but it is still something that I will cherish.”

The New York City Semester program partners with 40 universities and colleges across the nation and globe. Apply to become a partner school by contacting Paul Glader at pglader@tkc.edu. Apply to join us as a student for a future semester by clicking here.