originally posted on 4/21/2023
Rob Ascough.
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Juggling ever-breaking news sources with the need to cover ACE’s activities while also keeping in mind ACE’s mission and on-time publication is a demanding job. ACE News has been fortunate in its long history to have had some outstanding, dedicated editors who spent hours monitoring coaster and park news, writing articles, recruiting writers and organizing issues, not just to keep ACE members informed about coaster news and events but to present them from the perspective of an enthusiast — an ACE perspective.
The publications teams are happy to welcome a new editor who will carry on this tradition of excellence. Rob Ascough will officially begin as ACE News editor on May 1.
The ACE News team is grateful to RollerCoaster! Editor Tim Baldwin for being willing to stay on as interim ACE News editor for five years. During this time both ACE News and the position of editor have changed, as ACE News transitioned from a bimonthly print publication that was mailed to members to a weekly online posting that members access electronically. Instead of compiling articles at the end of a two-month period, the editor now has to arrange for articles to be written for weekly posts and to balance the weekly offerings to maintain readers’ interest. The landscape for news has broadened, and the competition for members’ attention has increased as the number of news sources has increased.
Rob is no stranger to ACE publications or to editorial duties, having written for both RollerCoaster! and ACE News and having been editor of a newsletter for another enthusiast group. He will introduce himself to members in his first editor’s column, but ACE News didn’t want readers to have to wait until then to get to know him, so we asked a few questions:
Where do you live, and when did you join ACE?
I live in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and joined ACE in 1990 (a gift from a family friend). I've been a member all 33 years since joining.
Are you a member of (or a past member of) any other amusement-related groups?
I'm a current member of the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) and the European Coaster Club (ECC).
Why did you join these groups?
I'm a member of NAPHA because I love the history of amusement parks and roller coasters. This is a hobby that doesn't get a lot of attention, but its fans are as passionate as those for sports, animals, etc. I love ALL roller coasters — even the steel ones, even the terrible ones. I'm a big fan of Schmeck, Miller, Schwarzkopf and of Bolliger & Mabillard rides, but never decline an opportunity to ride anything. Traditional amusement parks are my favorites, but I visit (and love) theme parks enough to have annual passes to most of the larger chains. I don't discriminate.
What do you like about ACE News as it is now? What would you like to add or change?
ACE News is a great way for members to stay connected to the hobby, and I think the opportunity exists for it to become something also more serving of the amusement industry with detailed news items and even ways ACE is involved. The organization has been around almost 50 years (it's the same age as me!), and I think there is an opportunity to celebrate what it does and how it contributes.
Please welcome Rob and continue to read ACE News! Share your thoughts about the articles in the comments section at the end of each article. An organization as large and diverse as ACE needs a newsletter that represents all its members.
— Lee Ann Draud, ACE Publications Director
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