~CURRENT NEWS~
9-1-12
Memories of Years Gone Past
Dear Subscribers,
Happy 13th Anniversary of the Keystone Alliance/Gaylife Newsletter. It’s a sad note to say although we’ve reached another milestone this year in September this day, as you can see as I put this number down this is how many years we have been around. We’ve had our ups, we’ve had our downs, we’ve had a number of columnists come and go. Some that come, some that stay, some that seem to dance and flow and we had the sadness of a publisher that we use to know. Max is gone, oh, what a sad day, the paper goes on, on it’s way.
Because one should come to the next event, the Keystone Alliance/Gaylife Newsletter has this to present, The 5th Annual Miss Keystone Alliance Pageant on September 14th at 8 pm at the Holiday Inn, oh what an affair, come see the queens who take the dare to take the stage and entertain you on their way. To delight you, to excite you, to invite you and most of all sometimes just to spite you. But here will be one you can dance and see and know at the end of the show what a Queen it will be.
The first half of our history is printed below. The second half will be printed for the September 15th issue. Thank you to all who have contributed over the past 13 years. Check out the history printed below.
John A. DeBartola
President, Keystone Alliance/Gaylife Newsletter
HISTORY OF THE
KEYSTONE ALLIANCE / GAYLIFE NEWSLETTER
"Past - Present - Future"
The Newsletter first began with the name NWPA-Newsletter. It was established in September 2001. It began that month serving the Northern Pittsburgh area and beyond. The Editor resided in that area to cover news. We had 109 subscribers.
*December 2001, The Editor changed his residence to SWPA. He slowly changed the name to SWPA-Newsletter.
*August 2002, that name change was finalized as the GAYLIFE NEWSLETTER serving both NWPA & SWPA and extending to NWV and WMD and some of Ohio and beyond. August 1, 2002 Newsletter brought in our 2 very first Staff Members in the SWPA area. KomC230 was Featured Writer and Miss Diana Ross was a News Columnist: "Ask Miss Ross". They both helped out as Staff Reporters.
*September 2002, new Subscribers and Advertisers got on the newsletter bandwagon. We also began Gay.com Chatter of the Month and Bachelor of the Month. We now have 320 Subscribers.
*October 2002 the very first Webpage was designed for the newsletter by Niler and he became a new member of the Newsletter Staff.
*November and December 2002 were busy with the holidays approaching. In December was the creation of a new column: "Ask the Nurse". A.S-Editor's Assistant began with the newsletter. Also, our very first & second READER'S CHOICE AWARDS 2002 and 2003 were posted and continue to be a success.
READER'S CHOICE AWARDS 2002:
Mr GayLife: KomC230
Miss GayLife: Miss Diana Ross
Niler: Newsletter Webpage Designer
Newest Gay Establishment: Illusions in Uniontown, Pa
*January 2003, GreensburgDreamer and Angel Summers became Staff Members. Angel began her column: "Angel's Pride & Poetry".
*February 2003 the "Reader's Comment Section" began.
*March 2003 Keith V. aka Topgbg began as Staff Member/Advertiser. We now have 446 Subscribers.
*April 2003, Jimbo started his "Rant & Rave" Column. Lady of the Month began.
*June 2003 the newsletter continued getting more subscribers.
*July 2003, Niler updated the website for the last time and resigned.
*August 2003, The Newsletter had it's Anniversary at RK's Lounge in Greensburg.
*September 2003 Richard from Erie began his Weather Wise Column and Trivia.
*October 2003, KomC230 resigned as Newsletter's Featured Writer to pursue his own Gay Publication: GoGayGuy. Miss Diana Ross gave up her column, also. Miss India Soul began as Staff Member. Joe_t- also began his own column.
*November and December began the upcoming Reader's Choice Awards. Also, Brian's Bulletin Board began.
READER'S CHOICE AWARDS 2003:
Mr GayLife: KomC230
Miss GayLife: Miss Diana Ross
Humanitarian: GreensburgDreamer
Gay.Com Chatter of the Year: Miss Diana Ross
Establishment of the Year: Yuppies in Mt Pleasant, Pa
*January - March 2004: Sek_71 began his own column called "Fab or Drab". Jezebel began her column, "Jezebel's Newsroom". Miss Diana Ross began another new column, "Dishing with Diana". Keith B19 became our new Webpage Designer. He replaced Niler which resigned previously. 3RD Annual Reader's Choice Awards were posted. New Count of Subscribers is 526.
*April 2004, Nicole St. George and Ryan began as Staff Members. Our Staff Nurse resigned and did a wonderful job.
*May 2004, Gay-Dreamer Began his Health Column. Laura Michaels began her Advice Column.
*June 2004, A.S - Editor's Assistant resigned.
*July 2004, Thingahmajig started his new column "The Things Thingahmajig Thinks". KeithB19 became new Assistant Editor. Ryan resigned being Staff Member.
*August 2004, New Columnist: Sam's Sport's Column and Mama Bagel Began: "Ask Mama Bagel". New column began: News and Views. The Editor's Choice Awards were presented for the Newsletter Anniversary. At the end of August KeithB19 and Jimbo resigned from the newsletter staff.
*September 2004, new columns began: "Over the Rainbow" and "This and That". New Staff Reporter Terry began with Public Relations. Jezebel resigned from News Staff. The_Randal assistant with new website and has Editor's Assistant.
*October 2004, Richard-News Columnist resigns.
*November 2004, JustNate became columnist.
*December 2004, GLBT Person of the Month began in the newsletter. Getting ready for our 1st Annual GayLife Reader's Choice Awards Ceremony being held at the Link in Herminie, Pa.
READER'S CHOICE AWARDS 2004:
Mr GayLife: KomC230
Miss GayLife: Miss Diana Ross
Humanitarian: Ms Eda Bagel
Favorite D.J; Keith Vario
Ms GayLife: Kelly @ RKs Lounge
Favorite Bartender: Shelby @ Yuppies
Gay.Com Chatter: Miss India Soul
Favorite Gay Establishment: Yuppies in MtPleasant, Pa
*January 2005, We had our very 1st Annual Reader's Choice Awards hosted by The Link Bar in Herminie, Pa. It was quite a success.
*February 2005, Plans were being made for the 3rd Annual Newsletter Anniversary. Also, a Benefit for Shepherd Wellness Community. It will be this coming September 2005.
*March 2005, Justnate resigned as Newsletter Columnist. Also, the newsletter began a new foremat. New Subscriber count 770.
*April 2005, New Columnist: Keith's Kountry Korner.
*May 2005 - July 2005 new columns began: News & Updates, Little Bit of Humor and Points of Interest. Terry-Public Relations resigned from the News Staff.
*August 2005, WVAS Queer News invited us to be part of their website. New Columnist: Joe Guy WV began Another News Column: FYI also began.
*September 2005 was the Newsletter Anniversary.
*October -December 2005 Nominations began for Reader's Choice Awards at this time as in previous years. New Column: Lesbian News began.
READER'S CHOICE AWARDS 2005:
Mr GayLife: Brownsugar25
Miss GayLife: Miss Diana Ross
Ms GayLife: Shannon at Illusions
Gay Establishment: The Link in Herminie, Pa
Favorite Karaoke D.J: Eddieoke
Favorite D.J: Thingahmajig
Humanitarian: Ms Eda Bagel
Favorite Bartender: Vinnie @ The Link
Favorite Show Director: Jezebel
Favorite Newsletter Columnist: Miss Diana Ross
Favorite Staff Reporter: Nicole St. George
Favorite Website: Kierra Darshell
Favorite Stripper: J.P
Gay.Com Chatter: Thingahmajig
Bachelor of the Year: KomC230
Entertainer of the Year: Ms Eda Bagel
Miss Congeniality: Miss India Soul
Mr Congeniality: KomC230
Ms Congeniality: Shawnee @ Illusions
Miss Glitz: Nicole St. George
Miss Glamour: Kierra Darshell
Miss Faith, Hope & Charity: Miss Diana Ross
*January 2006, A few Staff Members withdrew from the newsletter. Special thanks to: The_Randal, India Soul, Mama Bagel and Angel Summers.
*February 2006, JoAnn became new columnist: The Wedding Corner. Stephen became new advice columnist: OUR DEAR QUEER. J.J became new Staff Member.
*March 2006 was ourAnnual Reader's Choice Awards Event. Subscriber count 855.
*April 2006, Ryan returned back as Staff Member.
*May 2006, JoAnn resigned the Wedding Corner. June 2006, Newsletter continues to grow with new subscribers.
*July & August 2006, Newsletter busy preparing for Anniversary Show.
*September 2006, Anniversary Month Celebration. Columnists: Joe Guy, Sek_71 and News Staff Ryan withdrew from Newsletter Staff.
*October 2006, News Columnists; Jarrod, Cathie & Pennie began with the newsletter.
*November and December 2006, busy getting nominations ready for Upcoming Reader's Choice Awards.
READER'S CHOICE AWARDS 2006:
Favorite Stripper: Ethan
Favorite Bachelor: Bill_E
Favorite Gay.Com Chatter: Onya Asez
Favorite Bartender: Michael Derdich
Favorite D.J: D.J Ryan
Newsletter Reporter: Keith Vario
Newsletter Website: Nicole St. George
Newsletter Columnist: Thingahmajig
Male Couple: Vinnie & Orlando
Female Couple: Anita & JoAnn
GLBT Person: Jezebel
Humanitarian: Miss Diana Ross
Show Director: Jezebel
Mr GayLife: Gary Bollinger
Ms GayLife: Anita Long
Mr GayLife Hunk: D.J Ryan
Entertainers: Twisted Sisters
Gay Establishment: The Link
Miss GayLife Pride: Miss India Soul
Miss GayLife Up & Coming: Ginger Snapp
Miss GayLife: Miss Diana Ross
Miss Congeniality: Laura Michaels
Mr Congeniality: Keith Vario
Ms Congeniality: JoAnn @ Longbadas
Miss Glitz: Jezebel
Miss Glamour: Kierra Darshell
Miss Faith, Hope and Charity: Miss Diana Ross
Miss GayLife Amateur: Vinca DaVine
*January through March 2007, Preparing for the Annual Reader's Choice Awards. Jezebel returned back as Staff Reporter. New Subscriber count 1240.
*April 2007, New Managing Editor, Steve begins with the newsletter. Terry @ WVASQUEERNEWS began a website at myspace for the newsletter.
*May through August 2007, we get busy for another Anniversary Show. Also, Jack and Jenna begins as News Columnists.
*September - 2007, The Newsletter had another Anniversary. News Columnist, Gary S. began with the newsletter.
*October through December 2007, Preparing for next year's Reader's Choice Awards. Also, Jarrod, Sam's Sports, Cathie & Pennie, Erie Eric and gay-Dreamer withdrew from the newsletter. Keith's Kountry Korner became Keith M's Kooking Korner.
READER'S CHOICE AWARDS 2007:
Stripper of the Year: Reno
Bachelor of the Year: Heartchaser aka Curt
Gay.Com Chatter: JustTodd2323
Bartender of the Year: Miss Diana Ross
Favorite DJ: DJ-Ryan
Newsletter Reporter: Jezebel
Website Advertiser: Nicole St. George
Newsletter Columnist: Stephen-Our Dear Queer
Male Couple of the Year: Ryan & Michael
Female Couple of the Year: Anita & JoAnn
GLBT Person of the Year: Miss India Soul
Humanitarian of the Year: Miss Diana Ross
Show Director of the Year: Jezebel
Drag King of the Year: Peter Goesinya
Mr GayLife: Bryon aka Mr Ross
Ms GayLife: Shannon @ Illusions
Mr GayLife Hunk: Gary Bollinger
Entertainer: Laura Michaels
Gay Establishment: The Link in Herminie, Pa
Miss GayLife Pride: Miss India Soul
Miss GayLife Up & Coming: Pat MaGroin
Miss GayLife: Miss Diana Ross
Miss GayLife Amateur: Ann FuYung
Miss Glitz & Glamour: Nicole St. George
Miss Faith, Hope & Charity: Diana Ross
Ms Congeniality; Anita @ Longbada lounge
Mr Congeniality: Gary Nestor
Miss Congeniality: Laura Michaels
MAMA BAGEL MEMORIAL AWARDS:
Kierra Darshell, Jezebel & Laura Michaels
Remaining history for 2008 to the present will be printed in the next issue of the newletter. Please check back.