COUNTY - The Canadian Community Newspapers Association has announced this year's winners in its Better Newspapers Competition and the Bridgewater Bulletin appears on the list seven times.

 Paula Levy took top spot for outstanding reporter initiative in the paper's circulation class for her feature series, "A Reason to Belize." The three-part series ran in the Bulletin last September, focusing on a South Shore medical team's work in that impoverished country.

 Fellow reporter Robert Hirtle took second-place honours for best historical story for the third year in a row. His October story, "A familiar ring," was about a Second World War veteran's reunion with his former ship's bell which has long been housed at the Mahone Bay Legion.

 The Bulletin team won first place for best newspaper promotion for the third year running. That subscription campaign ran in January 2009 in conjunction with the Chinese New Year. With every subscription purchased or renewed, the customer received a party pack from M&M Meat Shops. More than 700 subscriptions were renewed.

 The newspaper also took top spot in its circulation class for outstanding community service for "Time to Remember", a video compilation of memories from local veterans by videographer Tim Reeves-Horton. Working with the Bridgewater Legion and a number of other partners, Lighthouse Media Group made the presentation available to school students at the local theatre and on-line on its website.

 That website, southshorenow.ca, was also recognized nationally, taking third-place honours in the Bulletin's circulation class.

 Also winning the third spot, this time in the best special section category, was "Postcards from the South Shore." The 12-page section ran last June featuring photos from around the region with fictional notes encouraging people to take in the sights, activities and attractions.

 The Bridgewater Bulletin received a blue ribbon in the general excellence competition for its circulation class, the only paper east of Ontario to place in the top 10.

 Publisher Lynn Hennigar said she was happy about the paper's national awards.

 "For a news organization of our size to garner seven national awards is truly exceptional. Not only were our traditional areas of news, features, advertising and circulation recognized, our newer initiatives such as video production and our website were recognized as well. The Lighthouse team is receiving awards across the full spectrum of what we do, which is a testament to the dedication and commitment of everyone who works here. Well done and congratulations to all of them," she said.

 The national awards will be presented in Toronto on May 13.

advertisement

 The Bulletin and staff are also standing finalists for 16 awards in the Atlantic Community Newspaper Association's Better Newspapers Competition. Unlike the national awards, the regional winners are not revealed until the awards gala scheduled for May 29 in Halifax.

posted on 03/30/10