The Minden Times and sister publication the Haliburton County Echo are nominated for a collective seven awards at this year's BetterNewspapers Competition held by the Ontario Community NewspaperAssociation.

The Times isup for General Excellence in its circulation class as well as best featurewriting. The story One hundred canoes later byChad Ingram was a feature on Algonquin Highlands resident Rick Nash who buildsbirch bark canoes using traditional methods and materials he harvests himself.

The Echo isnominated for General Excellence in its circulation class Best Front Pagelayout and Best Use of Process Colour in an ad.

Staffer Darren Lum is nominated for theOCNA's Photographer of the Year and also for Best Feature Series for his Whereare they now? series on former Haliburton HighlandsSecondary School students.

Columnist Steve Galea is nominated forHumour Columnist of the Year.

A nomination means a first second or thirdplace finish.

Rankings will be announced at an April 22gala.