The Minden Times took home the top prize in its circulation category on Friday at the Ontario Community Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Competition.
The Times placed first in General Excellence which covers community news content photography layout advertising editorial pages and other aspects of the paper.
The judges noted: “Consistently excellent photography and two strong editorials put the Minden Times on top. A variety of community news and colourful eye-catching ads only added to its score. The August editorial could have been trite but the line “Canada has been good to me. Canada was tailor made-for me” show the author acknowledged he is writing from a place of privilege. A shout-out for the excellent photography and whoever created the house ad: ‘Where are you getting YOUR news?’”
The Times ’s sister paper the Haliburton Echo also placed first in General Excellence in its category.
Times reporter Chad Ingram also received recognition for his story on Sinclair Russell published last summer called “Growing up gay in Haliburton County” which placed first in the feature writing – circulation 9999 and below.
“Well told by Chad Ingram with great pictures! Love the historical bit contrasted to feelings of today. Reader gets a warm and cozy feeling for Mr. Russell and an appreciation for his bravery” the judge noted.
Darren Lum’s front page photo of Michael Bainbridge pulling a boat with his daughters in it through deep flood waters in Minden took home the Best Spot News Photo.
“Darren Lum gives us an excellent photo that was well used to tell a piece of the story of a flood’s effects” said the judge.
The Times ’s columnist Jim Poling Sr. placed third in the Columnist of the Year category.
“Love this guy” the judge wrote. “He has a wonderful folksy take on affairs both global and domestic and a whimsical sense of humour that translates well. Clean well-written and timely he’d be the first thing I turn to in the local paper.”
Steve Galea placed first in Humour Columnist of the Year for his work in the Haliburton Echo . The Echo also took home a third place plaque for its sports section.
Reporter Robert Mackenzie won first place in the Business and Finance Story category for his piece on resorts in the Highlands which was published in the Times ’s sister paper Haliburton County Life .