GENERAL EXCELLENCE 2011 WINNERS · Bowen Island Undercurrent Bowen Island, BC The Charter...

GENERAL EXCELLENCE2011 WINNERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL EXCELLENCE 2-3CLASS 1011 CIRCULATION UP TO 1249

GENERAL EXCELLENCE 4-5CLASS 1012 CIRCULATION 1,250 TO 1,999






GENERAL EXCELLENCE 16-17CLASS 1018 CIRCULATION 25,000 AND OVER

00 AND OVER 17

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

BEST FRONT PAGE BEST EDITORIAL PAGE

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

BLUE RIBBONS

Whitewood HeraldWhitewood, SK

The North Thompson TimesClearwater, BC

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Joyce Carlson

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

Class 1011Circulation up to 1249

Barriere (BC) North Thompson Star/Journal

Blue Mountains (ON) Courier-Herald

Bowen Island (BC) Bowen Island Undercurrent

Clearwater (BC) The North Thompson Times

Gull Lake (SK) Advance

Placentia (NL) The Charter

Whitewood (SK) Herald

Bowen Island UndercurrentBowen Island, BC

The CharterPlacentia, NL

Courier-HeraldBlue Mountains, ON

Whitewood HeraldWhitewood, SK

FIRST PLACESECOND PLACE THIRD PLACEBEST ALL-ROUND NEWSPAPER

It was a pleasure to judge the smallest circulation newspaper in our industry family. In spite of having smaller staffs, the papers are working to provide information to their communities.

Coverage of the arts made a difference in judging this category as some papers had none within their pages. I know there are art-related events happening in your towns, maybe they just happened in different weeks.

A recommendation for the writers: once your story has been written, go back and rewrite the lead. So many stories began with “The” and the actual lead, that would capture the reader’s attention, is buried in the first paragraph. Make it a point not to have a story begin with “The” and your leads will be much stronger. Try it. Also watch those commas. Make sure you use them properly. They have a habit of creeping in where they don’t belong. Strive also for consistency in capitalization and use of titles.

Photography remains a challange for this category as only three managed to earn more than 10 points out of 15. Once this competition booklet is in your hands, you have eight months to focus on having better photos within the pages of your papers. Always look for better ways to present information with a photograph.

Print quality for all entries was very good.

The North Thompson TimesClearwate, BC

Courier-HeraldBlue Mountains, ON

Bowen Island UndercurrentBowen Island, BC

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Joyce Carlson

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

Class 1011Circulation up to 1249

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE


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SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

BLUE RIBBONS

The LabradorianHappy Valley-Goose Bay , NL

The Macleod GazetteMacleod, AB

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Stephen Robertson

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

Class 1012Circulation 1,250 to 1,999

Enfield (NS) The Weekly Press

Fort Macleod (AB) The Macleod Gazette

Fort Smith/Fort Chipewyan (NT) Slave River Journal

Gravenhurst (ON) Gravenhurst Banner

Happy Valley-Goose Bay (NL) The Labradorian

Meaford (ON) Express

Vulcan (AB) Vulcan Advocate

Slave River JournalFort Smith/Fort Chipewyan , NT

Vulcan AdvocateVulcan, AB

The Weekly PressEnfield, NS

South Peace NewsHigh Prairie, SK


All the newspapers in this circulation class are doing a very good job of covering their communities. The hard work that these small staffs put into their papers is clear and shows in the quality of the writing, design, production and advertising throughout the entries in this class.

The Fort Smith/Chipewyan Slave River Journal came out on top because of the attention they give to all aspects of their paper – very striking front page, solid journalism, good writing and nice design.

The Gravenhurst Banner demonstrates excellent, in-depth, well-written community coverage and produces a wonderful BIG paper.

The Enfield Weekly Press’ layout, use of colour, reproduction and photography are outstanding and it is very solid editorially as well.

Slave River JournalFort Smith/Fort Chipewyan, NT

The Weekly PressEnfield, NS

Gravenhurst BannerGravenhurst, ON

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Stephen Robertson

GENERAL EXCELLENCE


FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE


FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

BLUE RIBBONS

Taber TimesTaber, AB

The Williams Lake TribuneWilliams Lake, BC

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Laila Michell

GENERAL EXCELLENCE


Hanna (AB) Hanna Herald

Hay River (NT) Hub

Kincardine (ON) The Kincardine Independent

Lac La Biche (AB) Post

Moosomin (SK) World-Spectator

Parry Sound (ON) Beacon Star

Port Aux Basques (NL) The Gulf News

Shelburne/Barrington (NS) Coast Guard

St. Stephen (NB) Courier Weekend

Stettler (AB) Stettler Independent

Taber (AB) Taber Times

Williams Lake (BC) The Williams Lake Tribune

Windsor (NS) Hants Journal

Hanna HeraldHanna, AB

The Kincardine IndependentKincardine, ON

Beacon StarParry Sound, ON

Lac La Biche PostLac La Biche, AB


On first look at the entrants into this category, it looked like a hard group to judge. All entries were good reflections of their communities. But The Williams Lake Tribune stood out. The paper’s front page gave a complete story and a concise index to lead into the inside pages. The flow of the paper made it easy to read through each page of good photos, stories and design. The structure of the paper made it easy to see what type of story was about to be read, whether it was news, community, or sports.

The Williams Lake TribuneWilliams Lake, BC

Hants JournalWindsor, NS

Taber TimesTaber, AB

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Laila Michell

GENERAL EXCELLENCE


FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE


FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

BLUE RIBBONS

ExaminerBracebridge, ON

The ChiefSquamish, BC

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Teresa Bird

GENERAL EXCELLENCE


Bracebridge (ON) Examiner

Jasper (AB) The Fitzhugh

Kentville (NS) Kings County Advertiser

Parry Sound (ON) North Star

Powell River (BC) The Powell River Peak

Salmon Arm (BC) Salmon Arm Observer

Salt Spring Island (BC) Gulf Islands Driftwood

Squamish (BC) The Chief

Westlock (AB) News

Woodstock (NB) Bugle Observer

The FitzhughJasper, AB

Gulf Islands DriftwoodSalt Spring Island , BC

Bugle ObserverWoodstock, NB

Westlock NewsWestlock, AB


The range of coverage across the country was generally strong in all these entries. It was interesting to see how many issues small communities have in common. Unfortunately, good quality active photos were sadly lacking in many editions and grey pages without art are still too common.

The newspapers that stood out were the ones that had strong writing, engaging stories and active photos that were well played. A well-defined design and consistent clean layout made these papers attractive and easy to read.

The Fitzhugh is particularly attractive with lots of colour and sharp print quality that sets off the fabulous photos and clean lay out.

The Bracebridge Examiner knows how to lay out a front page, with great photos, faces and engaging stories. Photos and art break up the grey inside.

For 50 years the Gulf Islands Driftwood has been reflecting the eclectic spirit of the islands with strong writing, great editorials and excellent design. The Arts and Entertainment coverage is particularly well done.

The FitzhughJasper, AB

Gulf Islands DriftwoodSalt Spring Island , BC

ExaminerBracebridge, ON

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Teresa Bird

GENERAL EXCELLENCE


FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE


FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

BLUE RIBBONS

Nunavut News NorthNunavut

MountaineerRocky Mountain House , AB

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Jason Lyon

GENERAL EXCELLENCE


Antigonish (NS) The Casket

Banff (AB) Crag & Canyon

Canmore (AB) Leader

Carbonear (NL) The Compass

Clarenville (NL) The Packet

Huntsville (ON) Huntsville Forester

Nanaimo (BC) Nanaimo Daily News

New Liskeard (ON) Temiskaming Speaker

Nunavut (NU) Nunavut News North

Rimbey (AB) Review

Rocky Mountain House (AB) Mountaineer

Sussex (NB) Kings County Record

Wainwright (AB) The Wainwright Star

Yarmouth (NS) Vanguard

Crag & CanyonBanff, AB

Kings County RecordSussex, NB

The Wainwright StarWainwright, AB

VanguardYarmouth, NS


First place: Nunavut News North: This paper stood out as a winner even before you pick it up. A very strong front page that is clean and crisp, complemented by great photography. The inside pages reveal interesting content accompanied by photography that tells a story as well as any written article. The challenge of offering content in more than one language does not seem to affect the overall layout and design. The North News is a great example of adapting to new ways of newspaper presentation very well.

Second place: Yarmouth Vanguard: A clean looking newspaper with great front-page photography, clean layout and design and a good understanding of their audience. It is clear that the overall look of the paper is a big consideration when putting together the paper each week. Design combined with a broad variety of content makes this a great example of what a community newspaper should be.

Third place: Sussex Kings County Record: What I noticed about this paper was consistent strength in most of the scoring categories we looked at. The range of content was excellent with good spot news coverage. The overall layout and design was good, a stronger front page and more focus on photography could propel this into a first place position next year.

Nunavut News NorthNunavut

Kings County RecordSussex, NB

VanguardYarmouth, NS

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Jason Lyon

GENERAL EXCELLENCE


FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE


FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

BLUE RIBBONS

QuestionWhistler , BC


Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Peter McCully

GENERAL EXCELLENCEClass 1016Circulation 6,500 to 12,499

Bridgewater (NS) Bridgewater Bulletin

Canmore/Kananaskis/Banff(AB) Rocky Mountain Outlook

Mission (BC) Mission Record

Northwest Territories (NT) NWT News North

Oak Bay (BC) Oak Bay News

Sechelt/Gibsons (BC) Coast Reporter

Steinbach (MB) The Carillon

Stouffville (ON) Sun/Tribune

Strathmore (AB) Standard

Wetaskiwin (AB) Times Advertiser

Whistler (BC) Question

Rocky Mountain OutlookCanmore/Kananaskis/Banff, AB


Coast ReporterSechelt/Gibsons , BC



After reviewing the 19 papers in this category, it was obvious from the stories, photos, letters, contests, etc. that they all play an important role in their respective communities. Graphically, there were a handful of newspapers that rose above the others. One general comment concerns photography. Often photos were played too small, one good photo played large can carry several pages. Many papers with smaller formatted pages would benefit from modular ad sizing.

First Place: The Whistler Question

Chocked full of news, sports and entertainment, and presented in a graphically pleasing and easy to read format, the Whistler Question leads the pack. To say the Question pays “attention to detail” is like saying Henry Ford made a car.

Second Place: Rock Mountain Outlook

The use of color and feature pages by the Rocky Mountain Outlook added to a well rounded community newspaper. Quality printing and stock.

Third Place: Coast Reporter

The staff of the Coast Reporter has created a strong opinion section, good use of color in advertising features and solid graphic elements. A very strong read, nipping at the heels of the Outlook.




Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Peter McCully


FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE


FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

BLUE RIBBONS

Delta OptimistDelta, BC

Cowichan News Leader PictorialDuncan, BC

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Leith Orr


Airdrie (AB) Airdrie Echo

Courtenay Comox Valley (BC) Comox Valley Record

Duncan (BC) Cowichan News Leader Pictorial

Dundas (ON) Dundas Star News

Kamloops (BC) The Daily News

Midland/ Penetanguishene (ON) Mirror

New Westminster (BC) The Record

Okotoks (AB) Western Wheel

Orangeville (ON) Banner

Parksville/Qualicum Beach (BC) The News

St. Albert (AB) Saint City News

Westshore (BC) Goldstream News

Airdrie EchoAirdrie, AB

Dundas Star NewsDundas, ON

Comox Valley RecordCourtenay Comox Valley, BC

The NewsParksville/Qualicum Beach , BC


Best All-Round Newspaper - Okotoks Western Wheel Excellent all encompassing newspaper offering a wide range of coverage from community events, local arts/culture, business and education. Opinions include local and international editorials, as well as commentary from readers. Excellent sports coverage. Stories are longer and more in-depth. A pleasure to read.

Best Front Page - Delta Optimist Excellent front page with several eye catching focal points. I was sold on the front page the minute that I looked at the facial expressions of the two young ladies. Job well done.

Best Editorial Page - Cowichan News Leader Pictorial Excellent editorial pages with lots of opinions, especially from this newspaper on issues in their community. Very attractive design with lots of good focal points.

Western WheelOkotoks, AB

Airdrie EchoAirdrie, AB

Cowichan News Leader PictorialDuncan, BC

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Leith Orr


FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE


FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

BLUE RIBBONS

News LeaderBurnaby, BC

The Vancouver Courier Vancouver , BC

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Stephanie Matches

GENERAL EXCELLENCEClass 1018Circulation 25,000 and over

Burnaby (BC) Burnaby Now

Burnaby (BC) News Leader

Chilliwack (BC) Chilliwack Times

Chilliwack (BC) The Chilliwack Progress

North & West Vancouver (BC) North Shore Outlook

North & West Vancouver (BC) North Shore News

North York (ON) North York Mirror

Oakville (ON) Beaver

Saanich (BC) Saanich News

South Surrey (BC) Peace Arch News

St. Albert (AB) Gazette

Surrey/North Delta (BC) The Leader

Surrey/North Delta/White Rock (BC) The Now

Vancouver (BC) The Vancouver Courier - West Side

Vernon (BC) The Morning Star

Victoria (BC) Victoria News

Waterloo (ON) Waterloo Chronicle

North Shore OutlookNorth and West Vancouver, BC

The NowSurrey/North Delta/White Rock , BC

Oakville BeaverOakville, ON

Waterloo ChronicleWaterloo, ON


This is an extremely difficult category to judge. Each community newspaper has attributes that make them excellent contenders for the category of general excellence. From the January submissions speaking about our Canadian pride for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to the September issues that speak to Terry Fox and his long and emotional journey. Canadian community newspapers are clearly alive and well and are still imparting the best news coverage available to Canadians.

The North Shore News stands out as a paper that embodies its community. From the compelling front page photography and story, through the many interesting and complete sections, to the clean and easy to navigate classifieds. The uncluttered forward news section is appealing and the broad community coverage is entertaining to all age demographics.

The North Shore Outlook has grown to be a solid contender in the general excellence category. With an attractive front page, great use of colour throughout and great layout and design, this paper deserves to be in 2nd place.

As the first place winner in class 1017 last year, the St. Albert Gazette rounds out the top 3 in its new circulation class. This 50-year-old paper embodies a true community newspaper look and feel with broad range of coverage. The cover is clean and visually appealing. Its news, sections and features help to make this an interesting read.

North Shore NewsNorth and West Vancouver, BC

St. Albert GazetteSt. Albert, AB

North Shore OutlookNorth and West Vancouver, BC

Sponsor: News Canada Judge: Stephanie Matches

GENERAL EXCELLENCEClass 1018Circulation 25,000 and over

GENERAL EXCELLENCE 2011 WINNERS · Bowen Island Undercurrent Bowen Island, BC The Charter...

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