2022 BNC Booklet

We would like to thank all our award sponsors

Fort Frances Times Hydro One Metro Creative Graphics Midwestern Newspapers Ontario Federation of Agriculture Ontario Journalism Educators Association Ontario Power Generation ORP Law

TABLE OF CONTENTS Sponsor Acknowledgements.......................................p 2 Best Photo Layout......................................................p 42 President’s Message....................................................p 4 Best Sports Photo......................................................p 43 Best Spot News Photo................................................p 44 Best News Photo........................................................p 45 GENERAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS Class 1 - circ. 1,999 & under........................................p 6 Most Crea ve Grip and Grin.......................................p 46 Class 2 & 3 - circ. 2,000 - 6,499....................................p 7 Photographer of the Year...........................................p 47 Class 4 - circ. 6,500 - 12,499........................................p 8 Cartoonist of the Year.................................................p 48 Class 5 - circ. 12,500 - 22,499.....................................p 9 Community Service...................................................p 49 Class 6 & 7 - circ. 22,500 & over...................................p 10 Best Front Page, circ. 10,000+...................................p 50 Class 8 - College & University.....................................p 11 Best Front Page, circ. - 9,999......................................p 51 Ontario Power Genera on........................................p 12 Best Ver cal Product.................................................p 52 Best Sports Sec on....................................................p 53 Special Sec on, circ. 10,000+.....................................p 54 PREMIER AWARDS Arts & Entertainment.................................................p 14 Special Sec on, circ. - 9,999.......................................p 55 Best Business & Finance Story...................................p 15 Best Feature/Unit Pages............................................p 56 Best Editorial, circ. 10,000+.......................................p 16 Best Crea ve Ad.........................................................p 57 Best Editorial, circ. - 9,999.........................................p 17 In House Promo on...................................................p 58 Educa on Wri ng......................................................p 18 Local Retail Layout.....................................................p 59 Environment Ontario.................................................p 19 Original Ad Idea.........................................................p 60 Feature Wri ng, circ. 10,000+...................................p 20 Best Use of Process Colour.........................................p 61 Feature Wri ng, circ. - 9,999.....................................p 21 Best Community Website/Webportal, Health & Wellness......................................................p 22 circ. 10,000+..............................................................p 62 Heritage.....................................................................p 23 Best Community Website/Webportal, Best News Story, circ. 10,000+...................................p 24 circ. - 9,999................................................................p 63 Best News Story, circ. - 9,999.....................................p 25 Online Special Ini a ve.............................................p 64 Best Rural Story, circ. 10,000+...................................p 26 Online Breaking News Coverage................................p 65 Best Rural Story, circ. - 9,999......................................p 27 Mul media Online/Best Online Experience Best Feature/News Series, circ. 10,000+....................p 28 for a Story..................................................................p 66 Best Feature/News Series, circ. - 9,999......................p 29 Breaking News Video.................................................p 67 Best Inves ga ve News Story.....................................p 30 Newspaper Toolbox ..................................................p 68 Sports & Recrea on Story..........................................p 31 Best Headline Wri ng................................................p 32 COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY Best Covid-19 Coverage.............................................p 33 Student Feature Wri ng............................................p 70 Diversity Coverage.....................................................p 34 Student News Wri ng................................................p 71 Best Police/Court Story or Series................................p 35 Student Photography.................................................p 72 Best Guest/Freelance Column...................................p 36 Best College/University Newspaper Website.............p 73 Humour Columnist of the Year....................................p 37 Hall of Fame Inductees.........................................p 74- 75 Columnist of the Year.................................................p 38 General Excellence Judge Scoresheets...............p 76-77 Reporter of the Year...................................................p 39 Congratula ons to the Winners.................................p 78 Best Feature Photo, circ. 10,000 +.............................p 40 Best Feature Photo, circ. - 9,999................................p 41

OF ONTARIO’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS!

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE It’s wonderful to once again honour the great work of Ontario’s Community Newspapers — and what a lot of great work OCNA members did this year. We received over 1,200 amazing entries for the 2022 Be er Newspapers Compe on, all of which are not only a credit to the reporters, photographers, designers, editors and publishers behind them, but also to the industry as a whole.

Needless to say, I would not have wanted to be one of the judges who had to try and choose the best of the best.

Compe ons like ours are more than just recognizing great work and securing bragging rights; they are excellent opportuni es to learn from the best and the brightest of our industry. A er every awards celebra on I come away with at least one great idea to try in my papers.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without three very important groups: the judges, the sponsors and the OCNA staff.

It takes a lot of me and dedica on for our volunteer judges to go through a category’s worth of stories, photos, websites, ads or newspapers. While the process can be quite fun, it’s o en done during evenings or weekends outside of normal working hours. Without that willingness on the part of our judges to give freely of themselves and share their wisdom about newspapers, events like the Be er Newspapers Compe on could not exist. Thank you.

We would also not be able to hold our annual awards without the generosity of our category sponsors. Your dona ons are what make it possible for OCNA to properly reward the best work our industry has to offer. Your con nued support is greatly appreciated by all Be er Newspapers Compe on par cipants.

And even though we again are unable to celebrate together, Ontario Power Genera on, our Gold Awards Gala sponsor, is con nuing with its support, so a huge thank you to them as well.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the OCNA staff for their dedica on and hard work. Having worked in the associa on office at awards me, I know just how much is involved in making things run smoothly year a er year. You all deserve an award from the membership.

Congratula ons to all the winners, and I look forward to seeing all the great work that you’ll be submi ng this October for the 2023 awards.

Gordon Cameron President and Interim Execu ve Director Ontario Community Newspapers Associa on

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ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

GENERAL EXCELLENCE CLASS 1 CIRCULATION 1,999 & UNDER 10 ENTRIES

THE INDEPENDENT SERVING PETROLIA & CENTRAL LAMBTON

1

The Independent Serving Petrolia & Central Lambton emerged as No. 1 in this category for its extensive coverage, strong photography, clean design, and effec ve adver sing. The Independent sets the tone with its front page consis ng of one strong photograph and interes ng news stories and con nues that theme throughout the paper. Readers are provided each week with a package of news and feature stories that are supported by numerous photographs. There is a lot of content in the pages of The Independent, providing people with the informa on they need about their community.

HALIBURTON COUNTY ECHO

2

The Haliburton County Echo draws readers in with a strong front page filled with stories and photos and it doesn’t disappoint as its pages are filled throughout with informa ve and engaging stories, interes ng features, and good photos. The Echo has lots of well-designed, effec ve adver sing to support the news and features.

LISTOWEL BANNER

3

The Listowel Banner provides extensive coverage of the community, supplemented by good photography, interes ng opinion pages, a variety of features and strong, effec ve adver sing. The paper starts with an engaging, well-designed front page and carries that commitment throughout its pages. There is no doubt that readers an cipate the arrival of the Banner on the newsstand each week.

Judges

HONOURABLE MENTION MINDEN TIMES - The Minden Times includes a lovely mix of hard news and community features covering a breadth of topics, and a strong opinion page with locally relevant pieces. A nice use of photos throughout the paper to break up blocks of text.

GENERAL COMMENT Small in circula on, but mighty in content is the theme for the newspapers in General Excellence Class 1. The entries in this class set a high standard with extensive, engaging content, great design, strong photography, and interes ng, effec ve adver sements. Some great coverage of local governments grappling with vaccine ques ons and how to return to "normal life." Newspapers are going through such a tough me but looking at these papers you would never know it. Great job by all contestants.

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Bronwyn Beairsto

Laura Blackwell

Frank McTighe

Editor, The Coast Reporter, Sechelt, BC

Publisher, Burns Lake District News & Houston Today, Burns Lake, BC

Editor & Publisher, The Macleod Gaze e, Fort Macleod, AB

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

GENERAL EXCELLENCE CLASS 2 & 3 CIRCULATION 2,000 - 6,499 7 ENTRIES

EGANVILLE LEADER

1

May be a li le sen mental now but we remember when most papers were the size of the Eganville Leader. While that didn't factor into the judging, it did certainly help it stand out from the rest somewhat. Liked the use of the colour headlines throughout and can't recall ever seeing it before on every page during 40-plus years in the business. The paper makes effec ve use of photographs, and the ads are well laid out and designed to draw you in. There is lots of good local content and columns and, as a history buff, I really like the Reflec ons of a Century page. It has a strong sports sec on, which is rare now, even for daily papers.

NEW LISKEARD TEMISKAMING SPEAKER

2

The New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker has a strong front page with no ads, big headlines and a dominant photo. The paper has a clean layout, is easy to read with big headlines, and has a lot of news and sports. It has local editorials, le ers to the editor and strong adver sing indica ng a strong connec on to the community. The one area it could improve is in photography. There are a lot of photos, which is good, but many are posed of people looking straight into the camera. Overall, this is an excellent paper that seems to cover its community well.

NIAGARA THIS WEEK, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE ADVANCE

3

Niagara This Week, Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance is a great example of what a community newspaper can be. The photography stands above many others thanks to great composi on, use of angles and sizing the photos well compared to the ar cles that accompany them. The editorial and op-ed pages feature an assortment of opinions including le ers to the editor, showing the community is engaged.

While they handle hard news extremely well, their a en on to local features and to coverage of the arts makes it a publica on that has meaning for the community. Finally, their front page and layout is clean, with strong headlines, well composed photographs, stories with ght leads, and good use of white space. Overall, this is a well-executed community newspaper where a en on to detail, and solid journalism make for a product that is enjoyable to read.

Judges

GENERAL COMMENT While the number of papers in this category is rela vely small, they represent a diverse offering in terms of style. The entries were all solid, making it difficult to choose the top three. They had a lot of stories and photos, some good special sec ons, and seemed to all cover their communi es well. Overall, it was a pleasure to judge, and we congratulate everyone for not only con nuing to put out a newspaper every week, but also achieving a high standard while doing it. You are serving your respec ve communi es well.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Greg Vandermeulen Editor, The Carillon, Steinbach, MB

Rob Vogt Editor, Claresholm Local Press, Claresholm, AB

Andy Walker Editor, Island Farm, Montague, PEI

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16 ENTRIES

HALIBURTON, THE HIGHLANDER

1

This really is the best newspaper package in the group. An interes ng front page, solid repor ng, and excellent coverage of community news. The Highlander has a great sports sec on and a good grasp of the local arts scene. So many people photographs – it's as if you meet the whole community in the pages of this paper. The newspaper has a solid and varied adver ser base and a good classified sec on.

NIAGARA THIS WEEK, FORT ERIE POST

2

The Niagara This Week, Fort Erie Post had a great amount of local news from front to back. Almost every page had something that was going on in Fort Erie. It’s a busy paper, but everything was easy to read and very nice on the eyes. Solid adver sing content throughout and well-designed. The op-ed pages had a nice mix of material as well. A bit of sports content in there, so a li le something for everyone. The bonus was being able to pick up from other papers in the Niagara region and s ll make it relevant. Not hard to do when there’s St. Catharines, Welland, Thorold and Niagara Falls proper in the area.

GLANBROOK GAZETTE

3

In this day and age, Covid-19 will always get tongues wagging and that's what the front page photo for this publica on would have done. The Glanbrook Gaze e is effec ve because the reader will almost invariably turn to the page and see what it's all about. It's done its job. Nice op-ed and editorial pages, with plenty of adver sing content, good design of the ads, and the news content is easy to read and is local. A sma ering of sports in there with arts as well.

Judges

GENERAL COMMENT Overall, this is a well-produced group of newspapers. Most did a good job of reflec ng the views of the communi es they serve. Produc on standards were high and some of the adver sing design work was excellent. Stories were ght and well-wri en, with plenty of variety.

Headlines and cutlines hit the mark. Unfortunately, sports coverage was light in most newspapers and lacking altogether in some.

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James McCarthy

Manfred Templemayr

Managing Editor, NNSL Media, Yellowknife, NT

Re red Publishing Company President, Past BCYCNA President, Gabriola Island, BC

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

GENERAL EXCELLENCE CLASS 5 CIRCULATION 12,500 - 22,499 10 ENTRIES

ELMIRA-WOOLWICH OBSERVER

1

The Elmira-Woolwich Observer was a joy to read, with excellent design elements and plain language principles. The photos were fresh and the wri ng strong. Congrats to Steve Kannon for his great column! It is so rare to read a local column from a community newspaper editor these days. With lots of news, opinions, games and recipes, there is something for everyone in this edi on. It is obvious this crea ve and sales team put a lot of love each week into journalism.

ORANGEVILLE CITIZEN

2

Strong local stories make for good reading, and the Orangeville Ci zen is good reading. The Orangeville Town Page is a great adver sing idea. And Orangeville 911 was so fun to peruse! Really enjoyed your arts and sports pages, and there were plenty of voices represented through the columns.

GRIMSBY LINCOLN NEWS

3

The Grimsby Lincoln News is a solid newspaper. A strong front page and good use of photography throughout. Adver sing is very strong, with a detailed classified sec on and special sec on adver sing content. It is a good read and very worthy to be a top choice in this category.

Judges

HONOURABLE MENTION MIDLAND/PENETANGUISHENE MIRROR - With strong repor ng by Andrew Mendler, the Midland/Penetanguishene Mirror delivers on local and topical news for the ci zens (the Bu er Tart Fes val looks amazing!). The QR codes on the front page are convenient for the readers to get informa on quickly on their devices. There are lots of municipal and business ads, and the Canada Day sec on is well done.

The paper reflects a healthy community.

GENERAL COMMENT The top four papers really stood out from the rest in this general excellence category. Many of the other newspapers were lacking content that meant it was impossible to give them a valid score. It was disappoin ng to see so li le sports, arts, and community stories in many of the newspapers. As well, editorial content and le ers to the editor. It would appear that some of these newspapers do not engage well with the communi es that they serve.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Janis Cleugh

Ian Jacques

Alistair Taylor

Reporter, Copy Editor, Paginator & Proofreader, Tri-City News, Coquitlam, BC

Editor, Delta Op mist, South Delta, BC

Editor, Campbell River Mirror, Campbell River, BC

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GENERAL EXCELLENCE CLASS 6 & 7 CIRCULATION over 22,500 12 ENTRIES

FERGUS WELLINGTON ADVERTISER

1

The Wellington Adver ser is a classic looking newspaper – with a robust story-filled front that accentuates and draws a en on to the front page art/photo. A resounding favorite of the judges and a well-deserved win amongst a strong collec on of newspapers compe ng this year. The first place paper in its class. Congratula ons!

BARRIE ADVANCE

2

The Barrie Advance was an overall well wri en and produced newspaper, with a clear focus on providing accurate and interes ng local community news for residents. The Advance had a strong mixture of news, sports, photography, feature ar cles and a fulsome editorial and opinion page – all key aspects in making a newspaper that community members want to pick up and read. The front page popped from a first glance and each page had a unique and interes ng story to tell and inform people.

The Advance staff are clearly passionate about what they do, and it shows in the product.

NIAGARA THIS WEEK, NIAGARA FALLS

3

Niagara This Week, Niagara Falls had the highest page counts in the category – kudos to the adver sing department – and the news team filled these issues adeptly. Community newspapers need to be everything to everyone, and this paper meets that mandate with an appropriate balance of news stories from a range of beats, as well as local features. This paper's a rac vely laid-out pages will invite readers in and the content will keep them around.

Judges

HONOURABLE MENTION LISTOWEL INDEPENDENT PLUS - The Listowel Independent Plus keeps their front page no nonsense, bold and clean, which was an appealing look for judges.

GENERAL COMMENT A great-looking batch of community newspapers this year. This was an incredibly difficult category to judge, with all submi ed newspapers having a strong product that reflected the ongoing news in each respec ve community. Some mes simply one category lacking, which some mes falls to the luck of the draw in terms of the issue/week selected by the associa on to focus on, would determine the top papers from the bo om. Almost all the front pages featured eye-catching photos and most papers were presented with strong headlines. They each had strong features from editorial and opinion pages to sports, news and the presenta on of each newspaper. The journalists for each outlet work hard and it shows in every newspaper that was submi ed for the 2022 year.

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Rob Brown

Greg Colgan

Greg Sakaki

Managing Editor, Dawson Creek Mirror, Dawson Creek, BC

Editor, Rocky Mountain Outlook, Banff & Canmore, AB

Managing Editor, Nanaimo News Bulle n, Nanaimo, BC

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

GENERAL EXCELLENCE CLASS 8 COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY 3 ENTRIES

DURHAM COLLEGE - THE CHRONICLE

1

Just about every page contained valuable community news and plenty of large photos, maybe too large in some cases, but it's great to see lots of artwork. Solid presenta on and a great variety of opinion pieces. Stories were well wri en, and The Chronicle had the strongest sports coverage of the group.

Unfortunately, no adver sing to be found.

FANSHAWE COLLEGE - INTERROBANG

2

Local content is the strength of The Interrobang. Pages and pages of good stories that impact the student popula on. Great to see some strong opinion within the pages as well. Addi onal photos of people rather than just buildings or vending machines would make the package even stronger, as would dedica ng a li le more space to varsity sports coverage. Strongest adver sing content of the group.

LOYALIST COLLEGE - PIONEER

3

Photography is definitely the strength of the Loyalist College Pioneer. Strong images on every page. The stories on the Ukraine couple and the special needs hockey league were very compelling.

Unfortunately, there were no opinion pieces or adver sing in the final product.

Judge Ted McFadden

GENERAL COMMENT It certainly is a tough me for journalism students, as it appeared the pandemic forced many classes online, which is a difficult way to learn our cra . S ll, the trio of entrants all showed their own strengths and, overall, there are talented reporters and photographers ready to make the jump to the industry. The highlight of all three of these student newspapers was the diversity in the stories and the voices shared with their readers.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Managing Editor, York Region, Metroland, ON Ted McFadden started in newspapers immediately a er gradua ng from an Ontario college journalism program in 1993.

A er working his way up as a part- me weekend reporter, sports reporter, sports editor, and news editor, he has spent the past 18 years as managing editor with Metroland-York Region.

Ted’s newspapers have been honoured with numerous OCNA, na onal and interna onal awards.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

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Arts & Entertainment 42 ENTRIES

HALIBURTON, THE HIGHLANDER - SAM GILLETT

1

A great read! Mul -sourced and well told. Congratula ons Sam! Sugges ons: There is some incorrect punctua on, and I would have liked to have seen an image of the band in its heyday.

GLANBROOK GAZETTE – TAMARA BOTTING

2

Community arts repor ng at its best! Congratula ons Tamara! This ar cle is mul -sourced and demonstrates excellent reader outreach with the show and cket informa on. Some sugges ons: Watch for CP style use, as well as grammar and punctua on.

HAMILTON MOUNTAIN NEWS - MARK NEWMAN

3

Well told and a good use of images. Very well done Mark! This is an excellent ar cle that's also very topical and educa onal.

Judge Janis Cleugh

GENERAL COMMENT This year’s entries in the Arts & Entertainment category presented topical themes: the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic; the (slow) return of live music; and First Na ons pride. The winners weaved powerful tales that told of heartbreak and loss, of history and renewal, and of the cultural heartbeat of Canada. The Top 3 winners also snapped their own photos for their ar cles — a testament to their passion in local journalism and to being present to document local history. A few ps to note: The correct usage of spelling, grammar, punctua on, and CP style is appreciated; fresh — not canned — images are preferred (and should be credited); and mul -sourced stories are a must. Congratula ons to all of the reporters who entered this category, as well as the editors who gave room in their print and online edi ons to share the inspira onal stories about crea ve people in our communi es!

Sponsored by: Midwestern Newspapers

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Reporter, Copy Editor, Paginator & Proofreader, Tri-City News, Coquitlam, BC Janis Cleugh lives and works on the stolen, unceded and ancestral ̓ territory of the kʷikʷəƛəm (Kwikwetlem) First Na on, in what is known today as Coquitlam. Janis covers the arts and human interest stories for the Tri-City News, where she is also a copy editor, paginator and proofreader. Previously, she worked for the Chilliwack Times (B.C.); Brighton Independent (Ontario); Wokingham Times (England); and Portsmouth News (England).

Under the Na onal Council for the Training of Journalists in Britain, Janis interned at North Wales Weekly, Scotland and the Western Morning News. She also spent a year teaching English as a Foreign Language in Japan. Janis has won three repor ng fellowships: two with the Jack Webster Founda on and one with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office. Currently, she is a co-secretary with Editors BC, a twig of Editors Canada, and is a na onally cer fied proofreader. In December 2022, she finished the Plain Language cer ficate program at Simon Fraser University; she also holds SFU cer ficates in edi ng; publishing; and business wri ng, public rela ons, and marke ng communica on.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Best Business & Finance Story 51 ENTRIES

ELMIRA-WOOLWICH OBSERVER - LEAH GERBER

1

I really enjoyed this story. It had lots of voices and shined a light on virtually all aspects of an industry that doesn't get a ton of media a en on. Well done!

AYLMER EXPRESS - RENEE HUESTON

2

I liked the variety of sources and level of details in this story. The only thing missing was a bit of context on the agribusiness industry as a whole -- what kind of numbers are we talking about here in terms of customers, sales, etc.? Nice piece overall.

STONEY CREEK NEWS - RICHARD LEITNER

3

The reporter showed good ini a ve here to dig behind the headlines and find out how a proposed development could affect local retailers. Nice job.

Judge

HONOURABLE MENTION HAMILTON MOUNTAIN NEWS - MARK NEWMAN - The reporter does a good job at pu ng a human face on how the changing retail landscape is affec ng long me business owners.

David Sali Editor & Senior Writer, O awa Business Journal, O awa, ON

GENERAL COMMENT This year's entries tackled a diverse range of subjects and did a good job overall at pu ng a human face on vital business issues such as the impact of COVID-19 labour shortages and other challenges. Unfortunately, too many stories relied on just one or two sources and took only a superficial look at many of these topics. More research and addi onal context would have gone a long way to making more entries stand out.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

An editor and reporter at the O awa Business Journal since 2014, David Sali is a 30-year veteran of the newspaper industry.

Before joining OBJ, David began his journalism career as a reporter and editor at several community newspapers in O awa’s east end. He then spent a dozen years as a copy editor at the O awa Sun, where he worked in news, sports, entertainment, and business. When he’s not wri ng or talking about business, David can o en be found at a curling rink in winter or on the tennis court in summer. The rest of the me the Saskatchewan na ve eats, sleeps and breathes Roughrider football.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

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Best Editorial, circ. over 10,000 12 ENTRIES

ANCASTER NEWS - KEVIN WERNER

1

Interes ng editorial. It definitely requires an editorial to be able to say what you needed to say. Good job on using stats and quotes to back up your ar cle.

NORTH WELLINGTON COMMUNITY NEWS - PATRICK RAFTIS

2

Well said. And put in terms that the average reader should be able to understand.

DUNDAS STAR NEWS - KEVIN WERNER

3

Yikes - that is a great editorial topic, and good editorial for a call to ac on. I'd like to know if there was any fall-out to this.

Judge Sheena Read Freelance Journalist, Alberta

GENERAL COMMENT Every single editorial submi ed was worthy of an award this year.

There were some absolutely great issues explained and backed up with quotes and sta s cs. It was a very ght contest, and in the end, it came down to more of an issue of passion for the issue or the ghtness of the editorial. Well done!

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Sheena Read has commi ed decades - yikes, yes decades - to communica ons. Based in southern Alberta, she now is involved in contract messaging and promo ons, with a focus and commitment on community building. She ponders the changes in communica ons and media and what the future holds with the twists and turns of social media. Read is a strong supporter of journalism.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Best Editorial, circ. under 9,999 28 ENTRIES

VOICE OF PELHAM - DAVE BURKET

1

I read this with my mouth open. As an editor of my own paper in a small town I fully understand the guts and care for the community required to write and publish this. Bravo.

PARRY SOUND NORTH STAR - PAMELA STEEL

2

Such an important message. It is tough to go up against school boards in our small towns. It takes courage. Well done.

BURKS FALLS ALMAGUIN NEWS - PAMELA STEEL

3

Brave and important piece. Kudos for taking it on.

Judge

HONOURABLE MENTION NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT - RICHARD HARLEY Brave and powerful piece. Good on the paper for taking this one on.

Clearly this editorial comes out of equally brave repor ng.

Jennifer Thuncher Editor, The Squamish Chief, Squamish, BC

GENERAL COMMENT It was really inspiring to judge this category. Wri ng an opinion piece with impact week a er week is a near-impossible task. The tempta on is to do quick and easy hot takes that play to our most basic ins ncts. These submissions show that despite challenges in our newsrooms across Canada, folks are taking the me to reflect though ully in their editorials. All the submissions were impressive, and it was tough to choose the top three. I picked the ones that were the bravest and most impac ul, especially considering the smaller popula on/circula on of these papers.

Well done, all!

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Jennifer Thuncher is the editor and a roving reporter at The Squamish Chief. She can be found chasing down the paper's other journalists, local poli cians, or wildlife, depending on the day. She is a Simon Fraser University and Langara journalism grad. She had careers as an English instructor, administra ve assistant, and ice-cream scooper in her life before journalism.

Jennifer is the winner of the inaugural 2022 Jack Webster Founda on Shelley Fralic award for dedica on to community journalism.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

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Education Writing 43 ENTRIES

ORANGEVILLE BANNER - TABITHA WELLS

1

Great quotes used and strong quality of wri ng. Ar cle provides details on how the style of teaching face-to-face art is impac ul and helpful towards students in the community. Photos are colourful and help paints the picture of the story.

MANITOULIN EXPOSITOR - WARREN SCHLOTE

2

Story es in a na onal historic event of the first Na ve American woman traveling to space, and the impact it has on students in the community who are interested in the same field and happy to see Indigenous representa on. Great range of sources used.

BRAMPTON GUARDIAN - KRYSTLE HEWITT

3

Story is clear, precise, and informa ve. A variety of different sources were provided which helped strengthen the 'why' and truth of the story.

HONOURABLE MENTION MILTON CANADIAN CHAMPION - KATHY YANCHUS - Great facts and sources used in the story. As well, relevant background informa on helped explain the issue and the impact it is having in the community.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT - EVAN SAUNDERS Great lede and ending to the story. Ar cle clearly shows the importance for teaching the meaning of reconcilia on day.

GENERAL COMMENT The entries in the educa on wri ng category covered a diverse range of stories which focused on students taking ini a ve to support people in their communi es, teachers using art and other informa ve ac vi es as a means of teaching as well as a strong focus on reconcilia on in the classroom. The entries submi ed in this category also provided great and colorful photos that matched well with the stories.

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Judge Sierra D’Souza Butts Local Journalism Ini a ve Reporter, The World-Spectator, Moosomin, SK Sierra D’Souza Bu s works as the Local Journalism Ini a ve Reporter at the World-Spectator. Moving from the city to a small town, Sierra enjoys mee ng new people and hearing their views on social issues. Being a 2021 journalism graduate from Carleton University, she’s happy to have a pla orm to share other people’s stories and excited to learn more about the field.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

ENVIRONMENT ONTARIO 45 ENTRIES

NEWMARKET ERA/AURORA BANNER - KIM ZARZOUR

1 2

This is a well-wri en piece about the impact of feeding stale bread to Canada geese. It had all the elements of a strong story, with several civilian and expert sources quoted, and the ability to help change people’s behaviours when it comes to their rela onships with wildlife.

WATERDOWN FLAMBOROUGH REVIEW - JULIA LOVETT-SQUIRES This was a solid story about how farmers are coping with climate change. It answered ques ons that many community members would have about the future of growing food.

OTTAWA COMMUNITY VOICE, KANATA SOUTH - NEVIL HUNT

3

I really liked the wri ng style in this piece, where nothing is a ributed to a source un l the second half of the story, giving it a more easy-to-read column feel.

Judge Gail Sjuberg

GENERAL COMMENT So many community media stories have an environmental focus these days, and the entries in this category covered a huge range of subjects as a result. None of the stories stood out as an obvious winner as is o en the case in these compe ons, but all of them served an important role in educa ng readers and making a posi ve difference in the process.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Editor, Gulf Islands Dri wood & Aqua-Gulf Islands Living Magazine, Salt Spring Island, BC Gail Sjuberg has been the editor of the award-winning Gulf Islands Dri wood newspaper in B.C. since 2003 and in the community newspaper business for more than 30 years. She is also the editor of the Dri wood’s Aqua - Gulf Islands Living magazine and other company publica ons. She has been a judge for numerous community newspaper compe ons over the years.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

19

FEATURE WRITING, circ. OVER 10,000 32 ENTRIES

FERGUS WELLINGTON ADVERTISER - JORDAN SNOBELEN

1 2

This incredibly detailed, well-organized and drama c story by reporter Jordan Snobelen about Dale Wideman’s 61 days as a hostage in Hai , a pawn in ongoing violence in that country, stood out among some other very fine entries. Superb journalism. I was par cularly impressed that the story did not portray Hai and its people in a one-dimensional way but recognized all the good people there who are beset by terrible circumstances.

NEWMARKET ERA/AURORA BANNER - JEREMY GRIMALDI This is a very moving story. It is as much a story of hope as it is of loss. Writer Jeremy Grimaldi tells readers about five-year-old Parker Sheahan’s ba le with cancer in such a way that the reader is upli ed by the young boy’s incredible a tude.

BRAMPTON GUARDIAN - ALEXANDRA HECK

3

Features can be used to make persuasive cases for changes in a tudes and approaches to important issues. This one by Alexandra Heck, which highlights the struggles 33-year-old Graham Boisvenue underwent, and the inability to obtain the help he needed promptly, does just that.

Judge

HONOURABLE MENTION GUELPH MERCURY TRIBUNE - GRAEME MCNAUGHTON - This unusual story gives readers a look into the small but important academic research community and shows the importance of rigorous standards in such work. A good, detailed explana on is offered by reporter Graeme McNaughton.

WATERLOO CHRONICLE - BILL JACKSON - Federal clawbacks of funds from poor working seniors are examined in this disturbing report by Bill Jackson.

GENERAL COMMENT There were some superb entries in this category, and all of them told interes ng stories. The top three and the honourable men ons stood out for their unique stories, as well as some special aspects of each one of them, to make an overall presenta on that was very reader friendly.

In this age of distrac on and mul ple media voices, including social media, that is very important. Congratula ons to all who entered.

Sponsored by: ORP Law

20 2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

Frank Bucholtz Columnist, Black Press Media and Re red Editor, Langley Times, BC Frank Bucholtz is a re red community newspaper editor, and a freelance writer and blogger with more than 40 years of media experience. He worked for community newspapers in Surrey, Langley, White Rock and other parts of the B.C. Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley from 1978 un l re ring in 2015, and con nues to write a column for the Surrey Now-Leader, Peace Arch News and Cloverdale Reporter in B.C. He served as editor of the Langley Times from 1999 to 2015 and the Surrey Leader from 1986 to 1993. He has judged various categories in the annual OCNA awards for the past ten years. He also serves as a judge with the Jack Webster Founda on, which presents annual awards to B.C. journalists in all media. Frank is a past winner of journalism awards from both the CCNA and the BCYCNA. ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

FEATURE WRITING, circ. UNDER 9,999 34 ENTRIES

VOICE OF PELHAM - DON RICKERS, CAROLYN MULLIN & DAVE BURKET

1 2

This look back at a destruc ve 1996 tornado is an excellent feature by Don Rickers, with great photos from the event and detailed comments about the urban myth that the tornado struck a drive-in just as it was showing the movie Twister. The first-person account sidebar by Carolyn Mullin, the editor of the Pelham newspaper of the day, along with her photos, put the whole event, its destruc on and how it was covered locally into perfect context.

NEW LISKEARD TEMISKAMING SPEAKER - DIANE JOHNSTON The quil ng community likes to give back, and by doing so they have brought hope and more purpose to Indigenous people affected by the residen al experience. Diane Johnston’s story on Quilts For Survivors is a well-wri en example of reconcilia on and hope for the future.

MANOTICK MESSENGER - JEFF MORRIS

3

The many stories which centered around the Mano ck Tea Room were given a full airing in this very interes ng feature. Figures such as Al Capone, J. Edgar Hoover, and Gene Krupa make this story a fascina ng read.

HONOURABLE MENTION CARLETON PLACE/ALMONTE CANADIAN GAZETTE - TARA GESNER Lodi Sculthorpe’s horrific injuries a er being struck by a snowmobile on a recrea on trail have completely changed her life, as related in this moving story by Tara Gesner.

GRAVENHURST BANNER - SARAH LAW - Banner writer Sarah Law produced an excellent and emo onal story about the significant impact co-op student Chris e Leja made in her short life. She died on the day her front-page photo was published in The Banner, and the effort to find people in her life and talk to them about her was significant and powerful.

GENERAL COMMENT As can be expected from newsrooms of varying sizes and writers with many things on their plates, the quality of entries in this category was a li le bit uneven. This was a large category with plenty of entries.

Most of the submissions were very good, and some went to great lengths to tell important community stories. The top three and honourable men ons were all excellent. Congratula ons to all who entered.

Sponsored by: ORP Law ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Judge Frank Bucholtz Columnist, Black Press Media and Re red Editor, Langley Times, BC Frank Bucholtz is a re red community newspaper editor, and a freelance writer and blogger with more than 40 years of media experience. He worked for community newspapers in Surrey, Langley, White Rock and other parts of the B.C. Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley from 1978 un l re ring in 2015, and con nues to write a column for the Surrey Now-Leader, Peace Arch News and Cloverdale Reporter in B.C. He served as editor of the Langley Times from 1999 to 2015 and the Surrey Leader from 1986 to 1993. He has judged various categories in the annual OCNA awards for the past ten years. He also serves as a judge with the Jack Webster Founda on, which presents annual awards to B.C. journalists in all media. Frank is a past winner of journalism awards from both the CCNA and the BCYCNA. 2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

21

HEALTH & WELLNESS 46 ENTRIES

NEWMARKET ERA/AURORA BANNER - KIM ZARZOUR

1 2

The writer wove together a story with strong quotes, drama c events, and caught the reader's a en on. She drug me immediately into the story and no way could I stop reading un l the end. The informa on she found was placed together in an ini a ve or original way and points were made with mely quotes. Events such as showing the man was walking when he entered the hospital and could not walk when he le moved the reader through the story. Lack of personnel and the need for a new hospital indicated relevance to the community. When you read the story, you wonder how many other pa ents have had similar events. Addi onal sources would make the story even stronger.

HALIBURTON, THE HIGHLANDER - MIKE BAKER If you are looking for a story that will grab your interest, s r emo ons, is filled with informa on and several good quotes, and you keep wondering what is next, then read this story. Several mes I just kept reading because the story was well wri en, showed great research, had info from various people, showed ini a ve and originality, and was relevant to most members of the community. We saw the woman grow from near death of Lyme disease to a new person, now hopefully on her way to a full recovery. Plus, she's quick to say she will be telling other people what they can do to recover.

MILTON CANADIAN CHAMPION - DAVID LEA

3

While this story may lack the drama found in a few stories, it is a story filled with informa on and has facts and figures presented that are not there in many stories. I have read several stories about the lack of nurses and other personnel, but this story gives data and numbers and shows how there is a shortage. Good job of researching informa on and some great quotes that stand out, such as the one about a single nurse who was so busy, she might not find a way to go to the bathroom. Well wri en, though some edi ng might have been done. No doubt about the ini a ve and originality, and the relevance to the community is obvious.

HONOURABLE MENTION NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT - EVAN SAUNDERS A 10-year-old girl did this? Let's read the story and find what she did and why. The story is well wri en, and informa on included shows solid research. The writer interviewed several people. He used ini a ve and originality in finding informa on and people and then used quotes. The topic involved and the people par cipa ng show relevance to the community.

GENERAL COMMENT Thanks for the opportunity to judge this contest. There was a variety of stories, and I enjoyed the chance to read them - some on rereads, as I chose the winners. Aside from the interes ng stories, I encountered some excellent repor ng and wri ng. Many stories grabbed my a en on and involved me so much that at one point my wife returned home and I didn’t hear her come in! That is how interes ng the stories were. Among the key items in a story are the lead, the repor ng that finds the answers to ques ons the readers will be asking, sufficient quotes and a number of sources, and individuals and examples that can illustrate the story. The winning stories have these covered.

Great work everyone!

22 2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

Judge Harry Hix Re red Publisher & Editor, S llwater, Oklahoma Harry is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, with a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer and owned a weekly newspaper for 16 years. He has received many editorial awards in both daily and weekly composi ons, and his newspaper won awards each year. As a master’s student, he was managing editor of the campus daily that won the Sigma Delta Chi na onal award for news repor ng. He is a member of the Oklahoma and Tennessee Press Associa on, Sigma Delta Chi, the Na onal Newspaper Associa on, and the Interna onal Society of Weekly Newspapers Editors. At Oklahoma University he was first chair of the Engleman/Livermore Chair of Community Journalism and received the Teacher of the Year award. In Tennessee he received the President’s Award for work in educa on and professionalism in the newspaper industry.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

HERITAGE 49 ENTRIES

CARLETON PLACE/ALMONTE CANADIAN GAZETTE - ASHLEY KULP

1 2

Excellent and interes ng story. Heart-warming. Combines human interest with history. Well done! Very deserving winner!

MANOTICK MESSENGER - JEFF MORRIS Could not pull myself away from this story. A terrific read. Well done!

WINGHAM ADVANCE TIMES - CORY BILYEA

3

Fabulous research in this story.

Judge Chris Clegg

GENERAL COMMENT An outstanding lot of entries. Exhaus ng job to judge. Ten judges might choose 10 different winners. Ontario can be proud of its writers. Communi es are well-served. Overall wri ng was outstanding. No poor entries. I was impressed with the wide range of stories tackled. Each was interes ng. A joy to judge!

Editor, South Peace News, High Prairie, AB Chris Clegg has held the posi on of editor at the High Prairie South Peace News since December 1988. South Peace News has won over 90 AWNA and CCNA awards since his arrival in virtually every judging category. Clegg has also served on the High Prairie and District Museum and Historical Society for about 10 years and has a keen interest in history.

Sponsored by: Fort Frances Times ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

23

BEST NEWS STORY, CIRC. OVER 10,000 28 ENTRIES

FERGUS WELLINGTON ADVERTISER - JORDAN SNOBELEN

1 2 3

This story gave an important voice to a group that was o en misunderstood or not treated fairly by some media outlets and sought to understand their concerns. I thought the writer did great on the ground repor ng and took so many excellent photos. The story had excellent colour throughout the piece. It would've been stronger if it had a voice(s) cri cal of the convoy and details about how the unvaccinated were filling up hospital beds and why the government(s) put in the vaccine mandates.

Remember CP style with me if your publica on follows that.

ORANGEVILLE CITIZEN - SAM ODROWSKI This story on the devasta ng fire went above and beyond the tradi onal news piece on a local fire. It included strong photos, relevant historical context and most importantly several voices from people directly impacted. It illustrated just how devasta ng the blaze was to the community through strong wri ng and quotes and went further by including informa on on how people could help. This kind of storytelling is exactly what a small community needs when tragedy strikes.

OTTAWA COMMUNITY VOICE, KANATA SOUTH NEVIL HUNT & BLAIR EDWARDS There was a lot of good colour in this piece and some strong voices. The wri ng had nice transi ons but could have been ghtened up in a few spots. There were a few quotes that I thought were redundant and didn't need to be included. I think Tyler should have provided his full name and wouldn't have included him if he didn't want to give it. The photos taken by the author helped tell the story. Overall, I thought there was great repor ng here, which certainly stood out among this year's entries.

Judge

HONOURABLE MENTION GRIMSBY LINCOLN NEWS - LUKE EDWARDS - This is an excellent story that illustrates how the residents are innocent vic ms of a bureaucra c nightmare. There were a few wri ng errors in the piece. The story came very close to winning an award.

Austin Grabish Reporter, ABC 10 News, San Diego, California

GENERAL COMMENT There were many great submissions this year in the Best News Story category. Ul mately, the stories that stood out to me as a judge were ar cles that included first-hand on-the-ground repor ng with colourful wri ng. It was difficult choosing the final three winners because for each one, there was another great story that was right behind it. I had to go line by line and nitpick the fine details to choose the three winners. Your communi es are be er served with your dedica on to local journalism. Great job everyone!

Aus n Grabish is an RTDNA award-winning reporter whose work has been credited with triggering change. He spent over six and a half years working for the CBC in Winnipeg where he was responsible for covering daily breaking and enterprise news for CBC’s TV, radio and digital pla orms. His work ran across the country on The Na onal and on CBC News Network. He won mul ple awards for his repor ng before he le the public broadcaster in December of 2022 to pursue his dream of working in California. Grabish started his career at the Selkirk Record, a Manitoba weekly. He landed his first byline in the paper just a few weeks before gradua ng high school.

Sponsored by: Hydro One

24 2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BEST NEWS STORY, CIRC. UNDER 9,999 30 ENTRIES

MANITOULIN EXPOSITOR - GINA SIMON

1

A winning news story, thanks to her embedment with family to find out about their thoughts on the Pope's televised apology to residen al school vic ms in Canada. Gina Gasongi Simon sat with her parents, residen al school survivors, as they listened to the papal apology. Compelling read from this poignant story.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT - RICHARD HARLEY

2

Richard Harley earned runner-up honours for his story on Teresa Wong, who fled the Communist regime crackdown in Hong Kong to find freedom and safety in Canada. A compelling read as well.

HALIBURTON, THE HIGHLANDER - SAM GILLETT

3

A tragic story of a dog owner finding his dog and puppy killed by shotgun blasts heard by the owner while out for a walk with them in a forest copped third-place. Sam Gillet wrote this heart-wrenching news story with the OPP looking for the canine murderer.

Judge Jules Xavier Editor, Shilo Stag, CFB Shilo, MB

GENERAL COMMENT I expected more from the best news story category, but a few stories stood above the rest because of the work being done by the top-three reporters, plus the stories they delivered to their readers.

Congratula ons to the winners!

Sponsored by: Hydro One ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

It has been 38 years since editor Lorne Drury (now re red) offered him his first reporter job at the Brampton Guardian, and he is s ll going like the Energizer Bunny. Currently in Manitoba looking a er the award-winning army newspaper Shilo Stag, which published its first edi on in July 1947, he's kept busy in a two-person newsroom which focuses on army life, including infantry 2PPCLI and ar llery 1RCHA soldiers. Xavier has been with the Stag for nine years and is finally set to re re in July as the 76-year-old Stag’s longest serving editor. He relocated from Vancouver Island following newspaper and radio jobs in Ontario, B.C., and Alberta. Being embedded among soldiers who are honing their figh ng skills for deployment to Ukraine or Latvia is a lot more fun than covering school board or city council mee ngs.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

25

BEST RURAL STORY, CIRC. OVER 10,000 14 ENTRIES

LISTOWEL INDEPENDENT PLUS - DAN MCKEE

1

The author's approach to this story sets it apart from most ar cles about road safety when it comes to farm machinery. The reader gains a valuable new perspec ve by seeing the world from the cab of a combine, and the prac cal informa on in the ar cle will hopefully prevent collisions. The author's conversa onal wri ng style is informa ve without being 'preachy' and the design also makes effec ve use of photos in a limited amount of space.

FERGUS WELLINGTON ADVERTISER - JORDAN SNOBELEN

2

An excellent, well-researched ar cle that highlights a very important issue affec ng producers. One interes ng point that stood out was the fact that it's cheaper for Ontario farmers to use imported fer lizer from Russia than to use fer lizer from western Canada. I'm sure that bit of informa on will s mulate people to ques on current government policies. That's what a good newspaper story should do: present the facts and generate cri cal thinking on the part of the readership.

GRIMSBY LINCOLN NEWS - CHRIS PICKLES

3

The author packs a lot of informa on into a short ar cle that effec vely lays out the nature and scope of a serious problem facing the bee industry in Ontario. The fact that there is no easy, or agreed-upon solu on, is evident from the quotes provided.

Judge Terry Pugh Reporter/Photographer, Clark’s Crossing Gaze e, Warman, SK

GENERAL COMMENT I found the stories in this category to be very well wri en. Because there is a wide varia on in subject ma er, ranging from agricultural produc on and marke ng to human-interest and local history, the stories covered a lot of ground and made for very interes ng reading. Top marks were given to those ar cles that provided good solid informa on, were wri en in a straigh orward style, and were most relevant to the community the newspapers serve.

Terry Pugh is an award-winning reporter-photographer with the Clark's Crossing Gaze e. He has wri en for several community newspapers in Saskatchewan since 1976.

Sponsored by: Ontario Federa on of Agriculture

26 2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BEST RURAL STORY, CIRC. UNDER 9,999 28 ENTRIES

EGANVILLE LEADER - GERALD TRACEY & DEBBI CHRISTINCK

1

This story touched on the difficult situa on of bees and their decima on. Photos were great and the story very relevant. Great job!

GLANBROOK GAZETTE - TARA LINDEMANN

2

This was a well-researched and a well laid out story. Very well done!

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT - JILL TROYER

3

Unique and interes ng. The best photos and layout I've seen in the en re compe

on.

Judge GENERAL COMMENT This is the second me I have been approached to judge a newspaper compe on and I must say it was one I truly enjoyed. I have been in this industry for 22 years and rarely am I shocked by anything. The entries in this year's compe on shocked me.

Shocked me with the depth of wri ng by so many incredible reporters. I was extremely impressed with the caliber of the submi ed ar cles and the incredible layout of certain submissions only enhanced the read. The technical work is there, but it’s the a en on to detail and layout that surprised me. It’s as if the writers understand the power they wield with the public to make a difference to tell a story. Well done everyone. I have no doubt our industry is in great hands when I see such quality work.

Lisa Sygutek Publisher, The Pass Herald, Crowsnest Pass, AB Lisa graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Arts in English and then received a second degree with a Bachelor of Management in Human Resources. She started working at the family-owned Pass Herald in 1999 and is now the owner/ publisher. She is a municipal councilor and Vice President of the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Associa on. The Pass Herald is the second oldest business in the Crowsnest Pass and is celebra ng its 93rd year.

Sponsored by: Ontario Federa on of Agriculture ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

27

BEST FEATURE/NEWS SERIES, CIRC. OVER 10,000 19 ENTRIES

1 2 3

MARKHAM ECONOMIST & SUN HEIDI RIEDNER, AMANDA PERSICO & KIM ZARZOUR This was the clear winner. Excellent mix of ar cles related to food insecurity. Good research; well wri en. First-person accounts added to the emo on of the ar cles. Excellent use of interviews with not only those impacted by food insecurity but also those public administrators/professionals who have a hand in making change.

HAMILTON MOUNTAIN NEWS MARK NEWMAN Consistent layout on all four ar cles ed everything together nicely. Enjoyed the intro in each ar cle explaining the series - only flaw was not italicizing the intro in the last ar cle. Excellent concept of having an accessibility ac vist personally "check out" various places. The writer also brought the accessibility concerns to a public official for comment at the end of every ar cle - nice closure.

BURLINGTON POST MELANIE HENNESSEY, BAMBANG SADEWO & MANSOOR TANWEER Appreciated the structure to this series. The intro of the first of three ar cles indicated that this was a three-part series - and also teased the next ar cle. Well wri en using first-person accounts of immigrants' stories upon arrival in Halton. One downfall was referencing a report from 2016 - a lot changes in six years - and with no reference to what changes may have occurred since then.

Judge Pierre Pelletier

GENERAL COMMENT There was a wide diversity of topics with strong wri ng throughout.

It would have been nice to see be er use of photos to illustrate many of the ar cles. Also, when possible, le ng the reader know they are reading a series on a specific topic (more ar cles in the future) would be helpful.

Publisher, Delta Op mist, Delta, BC Pierre Pelle er is the publisher of the Delta Op mist in Delta, B.C. He has been a newspaper publisher since the late 90s. Prior to being a publisher, Pierre was a freelance magazine writer, working for such magazines as The Financial Post Magazine, Canadian Business, Harrowsmith Country Life, and CP Airlines (yes, remember them?). Pierre holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Economics and History) from the University of Alberta.

Sponsored by: Hydro One

28 2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Best FEATURE/NEWS SERIES, CIRC. UNDER 9,999 22 ENTRIES

KEMPTVILLE, NORTH GRENVILLE TIMES - DAVID SHANAHAN

1

As a judge from a rural first na ons community, I appreciated the uniqueness and indigenous-based aspect of this feature. I felt the historical aspect with modern elements affec ng today's society were noteworthy and relevant, not just to this community, but to the na on as a whole. Good job!

VOICE OF PELHAM - DON RICKERS, DAVE BURKET & HELEN TRAN

2

Well wri en. It flowed nicely with good side bars. A community interest story of newsworthy relevance.

Good job!

HALIBURTON COUNTY ECHO - STEPHEN PETRICK

3

Not just community relevance but na onal. Story is relevant in rural communi es across the country.

Good solid coverage. Wri ng flowed easily for the reader.

Judge

HONOURABLE MENTION KEMPTVILLE ADVANCE - JENNIFER WESTENDORP - Kept me reading. Nice wri ng style. Very relevant to the community on an important issue. An idea for a follow up ... Are the banks seeing a decline in in-person usage because they are pushing customers to use digital and online services - therefore crea ng their own need to cut in-person service and close branches in "cost cu ng measures?”

GENERAL COMMENT I loved judging this category because it shows the issues that are at the heart of community journalism and hold importance to the newspaper’s readers. The journalists have the opportunity to delve a li le deeper, feel a li le more emo on and become true story tellers with their wri en words. The quality efforts of the writers illustrate their ini a ve to scope out the news and stories they are passionate about.

Sponsored by: Hydro One ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

K-J Millar Editor, The Northern View, Prince Rupert, BC K-J Millar is a mul -media journalist whose specialty is feature wri ng and covering housing issues. She loves mee ng people to capture their stories in ink and images. A tle award winner in photography she got her start in the media (pre-internet, when Tline was s ll a thing) in New Zealand working as a radio broadcaster, news editor, and photographer. Her career has gone full circle around the globe a er working in law, housing and communica ons. She is currently editor of The Northern View in the North Coast of B.C. and is a five- me BC community newspaper award winner as well as new journalist of the year with feature wri ng and photography awards. She works in tandem with her 16-year-old standard poodle Ka e Frou Frou and eight-month-old cat Sawyer who edits over her shoulder.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

29

BEST INVESTIGATIVE NEWS STORY 19 ENTRIES

NEWMARKET ERA/AURORA BANNER - KIM ZARZOUR

1

Kim Zarzour’s piece takes an in-depth look at housing issues facing vulnerable people in the region. A lot of work obviously went into this piece. Interviews included a caregiver, a neighbor of the problema c residence at the heart of the piece, the owner of another residence who had once led the Ontario Homes for Special Needs Associa on, and the na onal director of a client advocacy organiza on. Also, an a empt to get the problema c residence owner’s side of the story. The focus on Ray Jackson's story and his housing experience brings this home for readers. Reading the story of Mr. Jackson, who overcame many hurdles in his life and struggles to live with dignity in a Newmarket Residence, no doubt shed a light on the issue for many readers.

FORT FRANCES TIMES - MERNA EMARA

2 3

This is a solid inves ga ve piece. Some mes those start with a leaked document, as in this case. The newspaper received a copy of a legal opinion provided to the town council regarding renewal of a forestry license that did not include an Independent Forest Audit, which had been completed in 2017 but was not posted to the province’s website un l 2021. Because of the missing audit, a firm was found to be in compliance with its forestry license based on an outdated audit. The newspaper uncovered informa on that should have been obvious to the lawyers and town administra on - that a more recent forest audit than 2012 should have been available. The work of the newspaper in bringing this to light is important for the community.

VOICE OF PELHAM - JOHN CHICK & DAVE BURKET A well wri en and thorough inves ga ve piece. Excellent job. This piece focuses on a hidden town council mee ng. The Ontario Ombudsman found that the council had contravened the municipal act in their ac ons. Through Access to Informa on filings, The Voice obtained emails that showed how one councilor had pushed for the mee ng to be held in camera despite reserva ons expressed by the town clerk. One of the most important roles of local media outlets is to report on local councils and ensure that what should be done in the public eye, is done in the public eye, for all to see. Great Job by the Voice of Pelham.

Judge

Kevin Weedmark Editor and Publisher, The World-Spectator, Moosomin, SK

GENERAL COMMENT The quality ranged in this category. From the winners, with solid inves ga ve reports, to several solid news stories that couldn't be considered inves ga ve journalism, to one piece that it's hard to believe was actually published in a newspaper. There is room for inves ga ve journalism. There is a need for inves ga ve journalism.

Good inves ga ve journalism shines a light in the darkness, solves problems, moves governments to ac on and serves society. It's good to see some newspapers making a serious effort to serve their communi es with quality inves ga ve journalism.

30 2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

Kevin Weedmark is editor of the World-Spectator, the Ag News, and the Plain and Valley. He started as a reporter in 1988, a er gradua ng with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Regina. He became editor in 1990 and purchased the company in 2002. He won the Canadian Interna onal Development Agency Award for Excellence in Wri ng on Interna onal Co-opera on twice, and twice won the Media Human Rights Award presented by the League for Human Rights of B'nai B'rith Canada. Once for "Freedom of Speech vs. Freedom from Hatred," examining the rela onship between the right to free speech and laws against hate speech in Canada. The other for an inves ga on into the history of the Ku Klux Klan in Saskatchewan.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

SPORT & RECREATION STORY 41 ENTRIES

HALIBURTON, THE HIGHLANDER - SAM GILLETT

1

Always nice to have a reporter put themselves in the elements for a story, and Sam Gillet does just that for a story on the 8 Hours of Hur n' event which saw cyclists involved in gravel racing for eight hours.

WATERLOO CHRONICLE - BILL JACKSON

2 3

Runner-up Bill Jackson had a cool idea – looking at the decline of the outdoor arena, which are going the way of the Great Auk and Stegosaurus.

THE INDEPENDENT SERVING PETROLIA AND CENTRAL LAMBTON BARRY WRIGHT & HEATHER WRIGHT Racism in sports ... great to see sports reporters repor ng on it, not ignoring it. Third place went to Barry & Heather Wright for their look at a family dealing with racist comments in minor sports.

Judge Jules Xavier Editor, Shilo Stag, CFB Shilo, MB

GENERAL COMMENT Always an easy choice for the winner when a reporter immerses themselves in the story to bring it to their readers. The top three stories were good reads among those submi ed in the Best Rec/Sports story sec on. Good work everyone.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

It has been 38 years since editor Lorne Drury (now re red) offered him his first reporter job at the Brampton Guardian, and he is s ll going like the Energizer Bunny. Currently in Manitoba looking a er the award-winning army newspaper Shilo Stag, which published its first edi on in July 1947, he's kept busy in a two-person newsroom which focuses on army life, including infantry 2PPCLI and ar llery 1RCHA soldiers. Xavier has been with the Stag for nine years and is finally set to re re in July as the 76-year-old Stag’s longest serving editor. He relocated from Vancouver Island following newspaper and radio jobs in Ontario, B.C., and Alberta. Being embedded among soldiers who are honing their figh ng skills for deployment to Ukraine or Latvia is a lot more fun than covering school board or city council mee ngs.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

31

BEST HEADLINE WRITING 19 ENTRIES

LISTOWEL BANNER

1 2 3

You can tell the writer of the headlines had fun with it; it shows in the crea vity and use of allitera ons.

And they were fun to read. All of them were a en on-grabbers and reflected the content of the story, although with the first headline, it took a bit longer to get the connec on. Great job.

BARRIE ADVANCE CHRIS SIMON, JANIS RAMSAY & RICK VANDERLINDE Great word usage and crea vity. The first headline, however, is too long. What the cluck? would have been stand-out, with the rest as a sub-head, instead of the quote used as the sub-head.

BURKS FALLS ALMAGUIN NEWS SARAH COOKE All of the headlines had crea ve word usage and were intriguing enough to catch a reader's a en on, making them want to read the ar cles. Good job.

Judge Marlene Eisner

GENERAL COMMENT Good headline wri ng is truly a skill - some say an art - that is not always easy to come by. The headline writer, who o en is not the author of the story, must blend a variety of factors into a small space to create a compelling and accurate headline. What I was looking for was crea vity to a ract the reader's eye, a level of impact to get the reader to look farther than the headline, and of course, the ability to quickly capture the essence of the story in a few words and yet remain accurate and relevant to the content of the story. I was very impressed with the quality of the entries, with many skillfully cra ed crea ve and even humourous headlines. Choosing the best was not easy. Bravo.

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Editor, RENO+DECOR magazine and New Home and Condo Guide, Toronto, ON Marlene Eisner is the editor of RENO+DECOR magazine and New Home and Condo Guide, na onal magazines with local edi ons published in the GTA, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. Before moving to Toronto in 2014, Marlene lived in Montreal and worked as a reporter, associate editor, and editor-in-chief at the Suburban Newspaper (1994-2007), and freelance writer and editor-in-chief at the NDG Free Press (2011-2014). She has won nine community newspaper awards in the best column category.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BEST COVID-19 COVERAGE 28 ENTRIES

1

WILMOT - TAVISTOCK GAZETTE VERONICA REINER, MELISSA MILLS, LEE GRIFFI & NIGEL GORDIJK The Wilmot-Tavistock Gaze e told the stories of several people who had been forced to cope with the restric ons. These stories are extremely personal and because of this, they were memorable. COVID-19 coverage is not just about the news, mandates and restric ons, but about how this pandemic affects people. You've done an admirable job of showing this to your readers.

NIAGARA THIS WEEK, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE ADVANCE

2

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance also had powerful stories, including one about a woman who was not able to return from Vietnam for nine months. The story about farmers and their efforts to support each other helped to show the psychological effects of the ongoing pandemic. The wri ng is solid here, but more importantly, the stories are compelling. This goes beyond the latest restric ons and mandates to the way the ongoing pandemic is affec ng people in the community.

MANITOULIN EXPOSITOR - MIKE ERSKINE

3

The Manitoulin Expositor told how one woman with serious health problems was affected by the presence of unvaccinated health workers. Over the past couple of years, a lot of discussion around COVID-19 has been on rights and freedoms. This is a refreshing change as it shows that there are some who are at risk because of the quest for these freedoms.

Judge John Arendt

GENERAL COMMENT A er three years of COVID-19 coverage, this ongoing pandemic can be wearying. The entries in this category show journalists working to keep the stories up-to-date and relevant for their readers. In some cases, the coverage involves the latest restric ons and pandemic challenges. Such coverage is important, and readers need to know the restric ons in place. However, the most compelling stories involve the people affected.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Editor, Summerland Review, Summerland, BC John Arendt is the editor of the Summerland Review in Bri sh Columbia. He has been working as a journalist for more than 30 years.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

33

DIVERSITY COVERAGE 49 ENTRIES

WINGHAM ADVANCE TIMES - CORY BILYEA

1

Indigenous horse and indigenous people are presented in a well-wri en story with good background, descrip on, narra ve and responses for and from the youthful visitors. Good photos. The conscious of a community kindles the conscious of a na on as the story here reflects, inspired by the plight of indigenous Canadian children forced into schools where many died, or were ejected into poverty. Well wri en, limited sourcing, but locally focused. Then, an excep onal story about an Italian author who focused on those of the First Na on saving the Canadian na on. The story focuses on an event that was to feature the author, but who died prior to the scheduled date. The a endees reflected on the inspira on the author and his book provided. Well wri en; well reported. The final story recounts the First Na on frustra on over response to missing women reports. Excellent wri ng/repor ng, focused on the community event of the day.

2

WATERLOO CHRONICLE - BILL JACKSON

3

These stories, collec vely, provide a keen focus of integra ng immigrants within a community. Agency responses, individual responses, and individual experiences provide meaningful details for readers' consump on and an understanding of what integra on means to their lives. Good wri ng and good sourcing remain essen al ingredients for reader comprehension. The Chronicle did a good job here.

PERTH COURIER LAURIE WEIR, ASHLEY KULP & DESMOND DEVOY Truly a fine group of stories focusing on inclusiveness and the effect of sharing the history, the meaning, and the lives of those most affected by Canada's "exclusion" policies of the past. Each of these stories shares personal experiences, and the piece describing the unifica on of police and First Person cultures is excep onal. Good wri ng/repor ng; excellent visuals; reasonably good sourcing . . . but s ll absent of community balance.

Judge

HONOURABLE MENTION VOICE OF PELHAM - DAVE BURKET & BRIAN GREEN - Maybe a small, but significant discovery of an overgrown cemetery where the community's Black residents buried their dead hides a diversity issue.

The two stories here bring them out for readers to digest and understand. No Blacks now live here, but the Black heritage has placed the village on an interna onal map. With excellent wri ng and repor ng, the community's hidden diversity is exposed.

GENERAL COMMENT Taken collec vely, these entries certainly covered diverse issues within the respec ve communi es. Yet most entries isolated that coverage to the specific focus subject and generally did not engage the community served by the news medium. That engagement could have involved sources affected by the stories beyond the focus source. The same applies to subjects covered. Black folk featured in stories rarely had reflec ve reac on from the general community, whatever the ethnic, gender, culture or race that was factored. Yet the wri ng/repor ng, more specifically applying to each story, was mostly professional: good sourcing, clear language, generally objec ve, and a good focus. This was, indeed, a huge subject to evaluate. Every story was a winner so long as readers digested the content.

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Frank Garred Re red Publisher, The Leader, Port Townsend, Washington, US Frank Garred began his Journalism (always a proper noun) career in 1960. He has reported for and edited daily and community newspapers since, un l “re rement” in 2002. That career included ownership of The Leader in Port Townsend, Washington and partner-owner of The Gaze e in Sequim, Washington. Meanwhile, he remains a member of the NNA (president 1993-4 & board member); ISWNE (president & board member); & WNPA (president 1974, interim manager). Since re rement he served as Journalism associate professor at two state colleges and helped found & manage a state non-profit focused on maintaining accountability and transparency among state and local government en es. He lives in Port Townsend and vaca ons with family on Kauai, Hawaii . . . o en.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BEST POLICE/COURT STORY or SERIES 33 ENTRIES

MUSKOKAREGION.COM - KRISTYN ANTHONY

1

Kristyn Anthony of the Muskoka Region's paper takes a long look at the kind of story we rarely get any perspec ve on. Six years a er an Inuk man hangs himself in prison an inquest takes place. Such a long wait and a sad, sad story about a man who might have been helped. Powerful, so this series was accorded first place. Change appears to be happening inside the prison system. Stay on the watch Kristyn.

VOICE OF PELHAM - DON RICKERS & DAVE BURKET

2

This series covered the trial and convic on of a man deemed responsible for the gruesome murder of a local resident. Senseless loss conveyed with some power. Don Rickers also takes the me to examine the impact upon the community. The case is closed, and one much loved man remains gone too soon.

BURKS FALLS ALMAGUIN NEWS - SARAH COOKE

3

Sarah Cooke reports on the death of a woman shot by not one, but two Almaguin OPP. The 'why' never comes out in the report this mother waited so very long to receive. Why is the ques on every reader has to ask.

Judge

HONOURABLE MENTION ORANGEVILLE CITIZEN – PAULA BROWN - This story must have been such a tough one to cover, but that is what's required of community news.

SMITHS FALLS RECORD NEWS – LAURIE WEIR - This story certainly is not concluded. Such long, long waits for jus ce to convene when four girls are looking for closure. Weir acknowledged the mental health challenges inherent in being a reporter - thanks to her for that honesty. Bravo for taking it on and finding resources for all reporters that suffer from PTSD.

GENERAL COMMENT

Wendy Elliott Columnist, Valley Journal Adver ser, Annapolis Valley, NS An OCNA judge for several years, Wendy Ellio was a reporter and editor in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Sco a for 40 years. She won regional and na onal newspaper awards and is currently a columnist with the Valley Journal Adver ser.

These are not easy stories to write, much less read. So much senseless death and injury in our communi es to o en becomes added to long waits for jus ce. A great group of entries. Keep up the good work.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

35

BEST GUEST/FREELANCE COLUMN 13 ENTRIES

HAMILTON MOUNTAIN NEWS - SHANE PENNELLS

1

This is an example of column-wri ng 101. The author picks a topic of great interest to the community, iden fies a problem, explains the problem in a clear concise manner, offers a solu on and sums up. The wri ng is crisp and clean, includes some humour, and there are no wasted words. Bravo.

WILMOT - TAVISTOCK GAZETTE - CHIP BENDER

2

Great advice for our mes. The author of this piece gives us a recipe for coping in an engaging and concise way with relevance for all people.

HALDIMAND COUNTY, THE SACHEM - SUZANNE HURLEY

3

Suzanne draws the reader in immediately with plain old-fashioned good wri ng, then masterfully pulls on the heartstrings to invest the reader. In the end, she draws a life lesson that all of us can take to heart.

Great column.

Judge Thom Barker

HONOURABLE MENTION MANITOULIN EXPOSITOR - HEATHER MARSHALL - Well-wri en, topical and engaging. I wanted to score this higher, but I could not get away from the fact it read more like a regular community ar cle than a column.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT - MADDY GORDON - As topical as subject ma er gets and overall, a solid effort. Could not put it into the winner’s circle because it could have been ghter and a bit be er organized, but felt I had to acknowledge it as it was wri en by a 15-year-old.

VOICE OF PELHAM - VICTORIA BALFOUR & DAVE BURKET - Really enjoyed reading this piece but could not place it in top three because of sheer length and format.

GENERAL COMMENT Overall, there were quite a few strong entries. Unfortunately, I felt some of the stronger ones didn’t quite fit the category.

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Regional Editor, Northwest BC, Black Press Media, BC A er gradua ng with a geology degree from Carleton University and taking a detour through the high-tech business, Thom started his journalism career as a fact-checker for a magazine in O awa in 2002. He quickly progressed to wri ng freelance features for various publica ons, but when he landed his first newspaper job with The Interior News in 2005, he knew he had found his calling.

Since then, his career has been one of progressive advancement to the posi on of Regional Editor (Bureau Chief) for Black Press in Northwest B.C. He is the winner of numerous journalism awards, perhaps most notably the 2008 CCNA Best Feature Story award for his coverage of the in-custody death of Ian Bush and subsequent coroner's inquest. Thom believes strongly in the value of community news, par cularly in the digital era, and is happy to lend his experience and exper se to judging awards compe ons outside his home province of B.C. ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

HUMOUR COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR 8 ENTRIES

WALKERTON HERALD TIMES - MIKE WILSON

1

Very entertaining reads, something I'm sure many readers can relate to. And you're right, the Flyers are a terrible team :)

FORT FRANCES TIMES - JACK ELLIOTT

2 3

All three were entertaining reads. I'm sure your readers enjoy your work on a weekly basis.

LISTOWEL BANNER - DAN MCNEE Great tales that should engage readers well as many have "been there, done that." Great work.

Judge Brian Gilroy General Manager, Swan Valley Star & Times, Swan River, MB

GENERAL COMMENT All par cipants had excellent column topics and subjects, o en making me laugh out loud. I was not only encouraged by such great columns but they also made me think of ideas for my own weekly column. Inspiring and great reads from all.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

I am a second-genera on newspaper publisher who, along with my siblings, currently own and operate 5 community newspapers in Manitoba. Growing up in the industry, and delivering papers from a young age, put ink in my veins. I have been working full me in the industry for 30 years now and, despite the challenges that come around frequently these days, s ll love it as much as ever. I live in Swan River, MB and wear many hats - publisher, general manager, adver sing coordinator, columnist, and feature writer for the Swan Valley Star & Times. I’m an idea guy and love to grow and evolve what we do here and have every reason to believe there will con nue to be a place for community newspapers for genera ons to come.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

37

COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR 20 ENTRIES

MANOTICK MESSENGER - JEFF MORRIS

1

Well-wri en columns that flow extremely well. And the topics are compelling.

MINDEN TIMES - JIM POLING

2

Well wri en, crisp and ght, with a really interes ng e-in with Bambi, which in itself was informa ve.

PERTH COURIER - LAURIE WEIR

3

Nice wri ng style - crisp and clean. I really like the COVID-19 column and how the informa on was delivered in a conversa onal way with her doctor via a compelling column.

Judge Chris Foulds

GENERAL COMMENT I love judging the columnist category of the OCNA because it is a category that offers such a diverse selec on of topics and viewpoints. From urban and rural lenses, writers touched on issues that varied from heartbreak to history to humour. The quality of wri ng was, generally, good, but it was also evident some columnists had much more experience than others. And, in these days of fewer and fewer resources, I was cognizant of the fact writers do not have as many editors poring over their copy as they once had.

That said, one recommenda on I would offer is for writers to spend a few more minutes on their columns to ensure they align with CP Style and to determine if there aren’t a few more li le darlings that could be killed to ghten up the message. Some columns were far too long and could have used a gramma cal scalpel applied here and there. All in all, the entries were a pleasure to read, with the bonus that I learned a lot about Ontario from my chair in B.C.

38 2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

Editor, Kamloops This Week, Kamloops, BC Christopher Foulds is editor of Kamloops This Week, a newspaper and website published in Kamloops, B.C., a city of 98,000 in the province’s Interior. Foulds has been editor since 2005 and spent 13 years before that as assistant editor and reporter at the Abbotsford News. Foulds won the Columnist of the Year Award in the 2021 BCYCNA Ma Murray Awards, was a finalist in the same category in 2020 and was a finalist in the 2021 Webster Awards for columnist of the year.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

REPORTER OF THE YEAR STEPHEN SHAW AWARD 9 ENTRIES

1 2 3

RICHMOND HILL/THORNHILL LIBERAL JEREMY GRIMALDI Solid piece about three York residents with concerns a er being bilked out of monies. A great example of journalism that doesn’t rely on court convic ons or press releases from the police. Good job in breaking down the “he said, she said” nature of the lack of snow removal story. A strong news story about a terrible subject and topic - the loss of Parker Sheahan. Wri ng is strong, community-related, and impac ul. Tight leads, clear stories. Great work.

HALIBURTON, THE HIGHLANDER LISA GERVAIS A wide variety of stories showing a strong knowledge of the different topics and styles of story. Good to see photos. They complete the package in many cases.

Good ques ons for the convoy people as well.

NEWMARKET ERA/AURORA BANNER KIM ZARZOUR Lynn Steel’s story is a strong news-based story around the pandemic. Also a good series about housing in the area, and real concerns from many points of view and perspec ve. Great ini a ve dealing with a provincial body.

Judge Rob Brown Managing Editor, Dawson Creek Mirror, Dawson Creek, BC

GENERAL COMMENT These are all great writers. There are only five points between first and ninth. All top level stuff!

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Rob Brown is a full- me seven year managing editor who creates and produces each edi on of the Dawson Creek Mirror, Northern Horizon, and Pipeline News North - and dawsoncreekmirror.ca. Prior to this Brown enjoyed a 17-year career as a news journalist and photographer across western Canada – picking up 25 or so awards for journalism, photography, layout/design and more. This includes news story of the year nods in both Alberta and Manitoba, a pair of photography of the year awards, and back-to-back special edi on awards for his work. He appears with his daughter and Dawson Creek Mirror photographer Blake in the 2020 Huey Lewis and the News music video ‘I am There for You’. He has 300 million printed bylines to his name - is a 2005 Alberta Centennial Ci zen of the Year award winner, 2017 Culture Ambassador for Northern BC, and is 2019’s only Bronze Quill award winner in Bri sh Columbia for 20 plus years in journalism. He has wri en/directed/produced a full-length mo on picture - Sukunka - before the eyes of film fes val judges around the world right now, and he has a talk/variety show filming now and debu ng on Op kTV in summer 2023.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

39

BEST FEATURE PHOTO, CIRC. OVER 10,000 15 ENTRIES

NEWMARKET ERA/ AURORA BANNER STEVE SOMERVILLE

1

A powerful, disturbing photo by Steve Somerville that captures both the caring and despair in the moment, and aptly illustrates an element of the story. I understand the restric ons of using photos online but would have loved to see the photo in a larger format - perhaps that happened in the print version.

GEORGETOWN/ ACTON INDEPENDENT & FREE PRESS GRAHAM PAINE

2

I love the ght composi on of Graham Paine's photo - the mass of faces. But most of all, I love the colour and the way it makes this photo look like a pain ng.

OTTAWA COMMUNITY VOICE, KANATA NORTH NEVIL HUNT

3

A sweet image by Nevil Hunt that goes ght on the faces of the two children and captures a moment of eye contact between boy and rat.

Judge Richard Dal Monte

GENERAL COMMENT The top three photos really stood out among entries, each doing something a li le different and providing striking images. A note: A couple of photos entered in this category were horizontals that would have been be er cropped to ver cals but were in the former format due to restric ons of many websites. This diminished the impact of those photos.

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Freelance Editor & Writer: former Editor, The Tri-City News, Coquitlam, BC Richard Dal Monte is a freelance writer and editor who worked in community newspapers in B.C. for 34 years — the last 19 years as editor of The Tri-City News — before his termina on during the early days of the pandemic. He has won more than 20 corporate, provincial, na onal and interna onal journalism awards individually and as a team leader and is the recipient of a News Media Canada Silver Quill Award. He now writes and edits for a variety of news organiza ons, universi es, non-profit and corporate clients. He recently began helping teach a class for editors in the Langara journalism program in Vancouver.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BEST FEATURE PHOTO, CIRC. UNDER 9,999 22 ENTRIES

VANKLEEK HILL REVIEW REID MASSON

1

There's a story in this photo by Reid Masson.

The subject at his table, the busy background, the materials of his trade - they all say something about this man and his business.

And even though photos that aren't simple, that have depth and breadth o en don't work on newsprint, this one does.

PERTH COURIER DESMOND DEVOY

2

Desmond Devoy captured a special moment.

This entry could have been stronger if the light por on in the top le corner wasn't so blown out and if it were a li le sharper. I would have also liked to see this photo played bigger and, as I say every year when judging this category, please, please, please lose the Impac ng Your Community graphic slapped on top of the photo - it takes away from the power of the pic.

AYLMER EXPRESS ROB PERRY Placed and played right, Rob Perry's photo might have won this category. It's simple and strong but several factors in the layout choices work against it: its unfortunate placement buried at the bo om of the page; the cutline needlessly dropped on top of the photo; and the general hodgepodge of a front page.

Judge Richard Dal Monte

GENERAL COMMENT Outside of the top three entries in this category, there was a great deal of run-of-the-mill photography. I appreciate the demands on journalists at smaller papers – shoot, write, edit, etc. - but I would challenge them to challenge themselves to think of crea ve ways to tell their stories visually and to simplify their photography for maximum impact.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Freelance Editor & Writer: former Editor, The Tri-City News, Coquitlam, BC Richard Dal Monte is a freelance writer and editor who worked in community newspapers in B.C. for 34 years — the last 19 years as editor of The Tri-City News — before his termina on during the early days of the pandemic. He has won more than 20 corporate, provincial, na onal and interna onal journalism awards individually and as a team leader and is the recipient of a News Media Canada Silver Quill Award. He now writes and edits for a variety of news organiza ons, universi es, non-profit and corporate clients. He recently began helping teach a class for editors in the Langara journalism program in Vancouver.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

41

BEST PHOTO LAYOUT 30 ENTRIES

LISTOWEL BANNER JANINE MARTIN, DAN MCNEE & MIKE WILSON

1

Good variety of photos; appropriate and colourful backdrop; though ul layout. Great job.

WALKERTON HERALD TIMES PAULINE KERR & JANINE MARTIN

2

Interes ng framing of each photo along with the flowing layout and subtle backdrop make for a pleasant second place.

3

AYR NEWS IRENE SCHMIDT-ADENEY, JIMMY BALKWILL, BOB HOWES & HELEN HALL Good memories of a great day in Ayr. A few more candid photos as opposed to posed would have been nice. Great job.

Judge Anthony Bonaparte

GENERAL COMMENT This category offered a good variety of well-done entries to choose from. Some were more elaborately presented than others, but all included great photos and compelling stories to tell. What separated the top er from the rest was not the quan ty of pictures used, but the effort made to produce an eye-grabbing page. To the winners, and to all par cipants: Congratula ons!

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Features Editor, The Suburban, Montreal, QC For the past 17 years, Anthony Bonaparte has been the associate editor as well as the features editor at The Suburban, Quebec’s largest English weekly newspaper. During his almost 25 years in the industry, Anthony has won numerous provincial (QCNA) awards, as well as a North American (SNA/LMA) and Canadian (CCNA) awards for his wri ng, edi ng, and the editorial cartoons created under his pen name, Napoleon.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BEST SPORTS PHOTO 18 ENTRIES

FORT FRANCES TIMES DALLAS PHILLIPS

1

The disappointment on the one player’s face in the forefront while the others celebrate speaks to both the jubila on of victory and agony of defeat. Great shot.

AYR NEWS IRENE SCHMIDT-ADENEY

2

THE INDEPENDENT SERVING PETROLIA AND CENTRAL LAMBTON HEATHER WRIGHT

This is a fantas c shot.

Great ming and great photo.

Tough to find a sport that can capture photos like rodeo. Sit back, camera pointed and let the ac on begin. Great shot.

Judge

HONOURABLE MENTION WINGHAM ADVANCE TIMES - KELSEY BENT - Great ac on shot with great facial expressions make for a great photo.

Brian Gilroy General Manager, Swan Valley Star & Times, Swan River, MB

GENERAL COMMENT This is always one of my favourite categories to judge. You can always count on good sports related photos, but then comes the great photos, capturing the facial expressions of some of the athletes and even fans on occasion. Great work by all photographers.

Congratula ons to everyone!

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

I am a second-genera on newspaper publisher who, along with my siblings, currently own and operate 5 community newspapers in Manitoba. Growing up in the industry, and delivering papers from a young age, put ink in my veins. I have been working full me in the industry for 30 years now and, despite the challenges that come around frequently these days, s ll love it as much as ever. I live in Swan River, MB and wear many hats - publisher, general manager, adver sing coordinator, columnist, and feature writer for the Swan Valley Star & Times. I’m an idea guy and love to grow and evolve what we do here and have every reason to believe there will con nue to be a place for community newspapers for genera ons to come.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

43

BEST SPOT NEWS PHOTO 26 ENTRIES

BRACEBRIDGE EXAMINER MARY BETH HARTILL Great, drama c and bold postapocalyp c photo. Would make a great poster - for people into this sort of thing. Congratula ons.

1

2

MILTON CANADIAN CHAMPION GRAHAM PAINE Timely shot of a drama c rescue in a rela vely remote area. Over and above.

CARLETON PLACE/ ALMONTE CANADIAN GAZETTE TARA GESNER Great ming. Great angle. Great photo.

Judge GENERAL COMMENT There were many great photos to choose from in this lot and quite a few of them could have easily been in the top three. Some mes it was just a ma er of distance, cropping, minor image rota on, or all of the above. There will be a next me. Congratula ons!

Sponsored by: Midwestern Newspapers

44 2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

Anthony Bonaparte Features Editor, The Suburban, Montreal, QC For the past 17 years, Anthony Bonaparte has been the associate editor as well as the features editor at The Suburban, Quebec’s largest English weekly newspaper. During his almost 25 years in the industry, Anthony has won numerous provincial (QCNA) awards, as well as a North American (SNA/LMA) and Canadian (CCNA) awards for his wri ng, edi ng, and the editorial cartoons created under his pen name, Napoleon.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BEST NEWS PHOTO 29 ENTRIES

BRACEBRIDGE EXAMINER MARY BETH HARTILL

1

Mary Beth Har ll tells a story with her photo of a protester showing off a handwri en poster. Excellent use of DOF and filled the frame. Great job.

GEORGETOWN/ ACTON INDEPENDENT & FREE PRESS GRAHAM PAINE

2

Grahame Paine garnered runner-up honours for his coverage on Remembrance Day looking into the event from what's normally s e e n at a c e n o ta p h c e re m o ny. N i c e composi on.

GLANBROOK GAZETTE TAMARA BOTTING Third-place honours go to Ta m a r a B o n g f o r h e r truck/speeding story, grabbing the perfect artwork.

Judge Jules Xavier Editor, Shilo Stag, CFB Shilo, MB

GENERAL COMMENT Disappointed with many of the entries in this category for Best News Photo. Lots of lazy photography. Work your news scene, like covering a fire. Look at the scene from 360 degrees. Use DOF. Fill your frame. Include second responders involved in the event. Tell a story with your news photography. Avoid grip 'n grins. Did I say fill the frame?! The winners did just that. Congratulations.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

It has been 38 years since editor Lorne Drury (now re red) offered him his first reporter job at the Brampton Guardian, and he is s ll going like the Energizer Bunny. Currently in Manitoba looking a er the award-winning army newspaper Shilo Stag, which published its first edi on in July 1947, he's kept busy in a two-person newsroom which focuses on army life, including infantry 2PPCLI and ar llery 1RCHA soldiers. Xavier has been with the Stag for nine years and is finally set to re re in July as the 76-year-old Stag’s longest serving editor. He relocated from Vancouver Island following newspaper and radio jobs in Ontario, B.C., and Alberta. Being embedded among soldiers who are honing their figh ng skills for deployment to Ukraine or Latvia is a lot more fun than covering school board or city council mee ngs.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

45

MOST CREATIVE GRIP & GRIN PHOTO 11 ENTRIES

PERTH COURIER DESMOND DEVOY Great photo! It shows the classic grip'n'grin with the presenta on, but does it with ac on, and in a great unique way.

It makes people smile and that is also a key feature of a grip'n'grin!

1

SMITHS FALLS RECORD NEWS DESMOND DEVOY

2

Nice turn on a grip'n'grin. You have the classic presenta on combined with a unique way of transferring from one party to another. The nice ght photo makes for a good choice.

PORT PERRY, THE STANDARD JAMES J. GREEN This is a great shot - it tells the story of the event and who took part. A great response to the event, as shown by all the kids taking part and all the boxes of food.

Judge Sheena Read Freelance Journalist, Alberta

GENERAL COMMENT The classic grip & grin is the presenta on of the cheque by a donor to a recipient. Tradi onally it involved the cheque with the handshake, but we can always give that a unique spin. The key behind it is to tell the story, and to convey that sense of community and community ac on. This is a great opportunity to have some fun. Be crea ve. Be abnormal. Find the strange angle.

Throw in some ac on in what would ordinarily be a structured and s ll photo.

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Sheena Read has commi ed decades - yikes, yes decades - to communica ons. Based in southern Alberta, she now is involved in contract messaging and promo ons, with a focus and commitment on community building. She ponders the changes in communica ons and media and what the future holds with the twists and turns of social media. Read is a strong supporter of journalism.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2 ENTRIES

BURLINGTON POST GRAHAM PAINE

1

Graham Paine is a master photographer whose photos tell a story in crea ve ways. Even seemingly ordinary events are presented in interes ng ways. His feature photo is very powerful and has it all.

Colour, composi on, depth of field and expressions. An image that tells the story of campers having fun at their end of the week party. The diagonal of the “Orange Crosswalk” in his news photo adds to a subtle feeling of movement as the drum group moves past. Orange shirts add to the story. The community photo had interes ng composi on with the red sleigh and Santa forming a diagonal with the more monotone colours in the other half of the picture. The dual waving hands add an interes ng element to the photo. The line of bikes leading to a single, dejected rider is a strong spot news photo on its own. When paired with the headline “Car going wrong way on busy Oakville street hits and injures 2 cyclists”, it makes it a very effec ve and newsworthy photo.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT DAVE VAN DE LAAR

2

The Niagara-on-the-Lake community is very fortunate to have Dave Van de Laar share his passion for the region and his love for photography. Whether events, sports, or wildlife, his photos are well composed and give readers a glimpse of what the area has to offer. A very strong community photo with accompanying story shows the determina on of the child par cipa ng in the event. Low angle and good ming to capture the expression and angle of arms and legs add to the impact. A drama c feature photo of a Canada goose on take-off captured the decisive moment with the posi on of the wings adding to the symmetry of the photo, while the water splashes add to movement and breaks up the monotone background. A beau fully composed news photo with subject placement following the rule of thirds and having the swimmer’s torso break up the horizon line. The “Year in the Life” box accompanying the photo provides a nice triangle effect, helping to anchor the photo and give context. A great sport ac on capturing the decisive moment as the Thunderhawks player goes horizontal to score a goal during a lacrosse game.

Judge Wayne Shiels

GENERAL COMMENT Photographs are the eyes of the community. It takes thought, skill and an understanding of your subject to convey your message. Both entries showed amazing talent that is a real benefit to readers of the publica ons they are featured in.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Photographer, Clark’s Crossing Gaze e, Warman, SK Wayne Shiels is a photographer for Clark’s Crossing Gaze e in Warman, Saskatchewan. Originally a nature and wildlife photographer who was the outdoor photography columnist for the now defunct Western Canada Outdoors and was published regularly in numerous books, magazines, and calendars. In the past he served as a guest judge and provided cri ques for the Saskatoon Camera Club. More recently he has been a judge for the Showcase of the Arts photography compe on held yearly at the Saskatoon Ex. In 2010 he joined the CCGaze e team where his love for photography and equal love for community have provided the perfect crea ve outlet.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

47

CARTOONIST OF THE YEAR 4 ENTRIES

1 2 3

DUNDAS STAR NEWS MIKE VUKOVICH Vukovich has an eye catching drawing style. Clean and colourful, his classic cartoon flair delivers the message with clarity and ease, as he puts sharp focus on local issues.

ELMIRA-WOOLWICH OBSERVER SCOTT ARNOLD Arnold delivers some good concepts in a clean style, somewhat reminiscent of a graphic novel look. His virtual reality concept makes a strong statement on food insecurity. Strong entry, though the lack of a suppor ng le er le me somewhat in the dark regarding some of the issues.

PORT PERRY, THE STANDARD WALT RADDA Radda shows good drawing ability and with that, clarity of message.

The Darth Vader/mask concept is very funny. This also gives it good impact.

Judge Bruce MacKinnon Editorial Cartoonist, The Chronicle Herald, Halifax, NS

GENERAL COMMENT The required emphasis on local issues was strong in all entries this year, as was the ar s c level. For judging, it was easier to determine the impact of the cartoon in those submissions that included a suppor ng le er describing the issue to which each cartoon was speaking. This generally helps clarify its relevance for those of us outside the par cular community. It should also be noted that while colour is not always an op on for cartoonists in their hardcopy papers, (and was not a considera on in judging), an effort to use colour will always make the cartoon more eye catching to the reader if there is an online version of the publica on.

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For more than 35 years, Bruce MacKinnon has been the editorial cartoonist for the Halifax Chronicle Herald. Over his career he has won numerous regional, na onal, and interna onal awards. His work has been published and exhibited across the globe, featured on a Canadian na onal postage stamp, and is part of the permanent collec ons of the Na onal Archives of Canada, the U.S. Library of Congress and the Art Gallery of Nova Sco a among other galleries and ins tu ons. He is a member of the Order of Nova Sco a and the Order of Canada.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

COMMUNITY SERVICE 5 ENTRIES

UXBRIDGE COSMOS - SPECIAL EARLY EDITION

1

This en re edi on brought tears to my eyes. When there were no other means of communica on available, the team of the Uxbridge Cosmos went above and beyond to bring crucial informa on to its residents. What a unique opportunity for a newspaper to do what it was meant to do. I could go on and on about how outstanding the newspaper edi on is and the folks who made it happen. But just wow.

Well done.

EGANVILLE LEADER - FUNDRAISER FOR UKRAINE

2

Excellent work organizing a fundraiser for Ukraine to mark the anniversary of the Eganville Leader.

Outstanding coverage leading up to and including the event. Thinking outside the borders of Eganville brought the generosity of its ci zens to a global level. Well done!

THE HALDIMAND PRESS - 2022 PROVINCIAL ELECTION DEBATE

3

Outstanding work organizing a poli cal forum to bring to local residents. Congratula ons on a successful event.

Judge Karen Gibson Freelance Journalist, Alberta

GENERAL COMMENT The entries for Community Service all went beyond the normal community service mission of the newspaper and were a pleasure to read. I liked how most entries had a different cause to support and enhance its community. It was also reassuring to see the global impact our smaller communi es can have. Well done and please con nue to aim high and think outside of the box.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Karen’s journalism career began in the early 1990’s with a wee Southern Alberta community newspaper (The Nanton News) a er gradua ng from SAIT’s Journalism Arts program. Being part of a small team, Karen experienced every aspect of the industry, including covering stories, adver sing sales and design, photography (as well as souping film in the darkroom and prin ng), page layout (complete with light table and wax), edi ng, stuffing flyers and delivering the paper. She le the industry in 2000 to raise her family, but s ll tries to keep her hand in journalism by freelancing when she can. She currently works as part of a finance and accoun ng team for a large ranching/farm group of companies and is s ll an ac ve member of the small community that welcomed her as a young writer.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

49

BEST FRONT PAGE, CIRC. OVER 10,000 22 ENTRIES

CAMBRIDGE TIMES

1

A headline that literally has 'bite'! The photo makes the most of what could have been a dull pic by drama cally changing the angle. The ads compete with the editorial content, although they are be er controlled and understated in comparison to other submissions. This story, image and strong design make the most of what's available, other than the unnecessary "Impac ng" element.

STONEY CREEK NEWS

2

A fairly clean front page, with a func onal photo, and good wri ng around a community issue. The 'Impac ng' banner should be dropped and considera on given to replacing the house ad on the right rail with something of more reader interest and purpose.

MIDLAND/PENETANGUISHENE MIRROR

3

It's hard to compete with major news events for 'best front page.' In this case, this is a very strong fire photo, and good headline/subdeck wri ng. Yet, this entry just missed first place due to outdated and unnecessary elements in the design. Why put an "Impac ng your community" chevron on top of a great news pic? Scan codes to access news in a print product was an experiment that was quickly abandoned by most news agencies many years ago. Use that space for the fire story.

Judge Andrew Holota Editorial Director, Black Press Media, BC

GENERAL COMMENT This category featured some great stories, examples of fine photography, and a few instances of bright, descrip ve wri ng. It also encompassed some outdated ill-considered design elements, such as a very heavy black and white "Impac ng your community" chevron commonly laid over strong photos, or on top of headlines clearly capable of delivering impact without the graphic. Also detrac ng from most front page presenta ons were the presence of excessively coloured, dominant ads, along with an quated scan codes for news or bright teaser boxes for online that contain no informa on. As a general rule, editorial departments in this category are doing their best, but are o en unsupported by clean, well-considered design. Ads on the front page are a fact of the print business, but some boundaries should be applied to let the news lead.

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Andrew Holota recently re red as the editorial director of Black Press Media, the largest independently owned newspaper company in Canada, with more than 150 tles in print and online in Bri sh Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska. In his role, Andrew oversaw editorial strategies and standards, including print and digital, coordinated hiring, training, and mentoring programs for mul media journalists, and provided first-line legal advice to the chain’s publica ons.

Andrew's journalism career began more than 40 years ago as a photographer. He moved into repor ng and was an editor at various B.C. community newspapers. Throughout his career, he has won numerous provincial, na onal, and con nental awards.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BEST FRONT PAGE, CIRC. UNDER 9,999 27 ENTRIES

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT

1

Niagara-on-the Lake’s Lake Report edged out its nearest rival for top spot thanks to its lively and engaging wri ng. The reporters strove to be more than mere fact-providers; they put effort into their story telling. Nice, crisp layout added to the appeal and allowed for a clean presenta on of a total of five stories, each with reader appeal and adding to the community’s understanding of itself. Photography could be more crea ve, but its use was s ll effec ve.

BURKS FALLS ALMAGUIN NEWS

2

The Burks Falls Almaguin News earned second place with its two strong lead stories about the outcome of a police shoo ng of a young mother, covering both the personal and legal aspects of such a tragedy.

Using appealing design, the News also adds one more crime story and a story of public interest into the mix. Again, photography could be stronger but s ll contributed to a pleasing package.

LISTOWEL BANNER

3

The Listowel Banner presented three stories of compelling public interest to earn its third-place win: a major victory for a local sports team, capturing the tension and thrill of the championship game, a heart-warming story about a woman whose cancer death inspires the community to support local healthcare facili es, and a news story about a truck plowing into the side of a building. There were mes when more clarity in wri ng style was needed, but overall, a fine effort.

Judge Martha Perkins Re red journalist of 30 years, Ontario and BC

GENERAL COMMENT It takes a lot to grab a print newspaper reader’s a en on in this age of digital content that’s o en accessible long before the ink begins to hit the paper’s front page. Stories have to be engaging and offer new informa on, photos have to be eye-catching, and layout has to be crisp and clean.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Martha Perkins is a re red newspaper editor who has helmed award-winning community newspapers in Ontario’s co age country and Bri sh Columbia’s Lower Mainland.

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51

BEST VERTICAL PRODUCT 13 ENTRIES

LISTOWEL INDEPENDENT PLUS - COUNTRY LIFE - SPRING 2022

1

This publica on really hit all the touch points of the qualifica ons for entry: the majority of the ar cles were wri en by the paper's reporters, there were a lot of ads that were relevant to readers, and the ar cles were all relatable not only to the farming community, but also to anyone who would pick up the ver cal to read. They ranged from the prac cal and instruc ve, to stories about local farm families and the expansion of a home-grown food business to one farm that herds bison. Really well done.

HUNTSVILLE FORESTER - ALGONQUIN LIFE

2

Algonquin Life is a beau ful magazine, laid out on quality ma e paper and filled with excellently photographed images and though ully researched and wri en ar cles. Although the ad-to-editorial ra o is a bit low, all of the ar cles are interes ng, informa ve and highlight the beauty and importance of the region to all who venture into its wildness, and to those who have not yet had the experience.

CORNWALL SEAWAY NEWS - CORNWALL LIVING

3

Cornwall Living is a beau fully laid out magazine, filled with interes ng editorial and a lot of ads. A good read that is very relatable to the community. Where it lost points was in the lack of copy edi ng.

Judge Marlene Eisner

GENERAL COMMENT This is the second year I am judging this category and I must say how impressed I was, once again, with the entries. I read through each and every one of them twice. Choosing "the best" among them was not an easy task, since they all reflected the dedica on and hard work that goes into a print magazine. However, there were a few that truly excelled, and so have been designated as the award winners.

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Editor, RENO+DECOR magazine and New Home and Condo Guide, Toronto, ON Marlene Eisner is the editor of RENO+DECOR magazine and New Home and Condo Guide, na onal magazines with local edi ons published in the GTA, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. Before moving to Toronto in 2014, Marlene lived in Montreal and worked as a reporter, associate editor, and editor-in-chief at the Suburban Newspaper (1994-2007), and freelance writer and editor-in-chief at the NDG Free Press (2011-2014). She has won nine community newspaper awards in the best column category.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BEST SPORTS SECTION 8 ENTRIES

EGANVILLE LEADER

1

Eganville Leader was the best in this group thanks to an array of coverage and stronger layout. But s ll could improve its community coverage. Community sports is more than hockey and recapping game scores ... especially when you are not a daily. Add more features, colour in your stories, and good ac on shots, but avoid filling space with team photos. Let your sports pages breathe!

ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT

2

Runner-up honours go to St. Marys Independent. Yes, the Lincolns dominate the pages - but community sports is more than hockey, and there's no need to give a goal-by-goal descrip on of every game. What about some colour in your stories? Avoid team photos ... include ac on photos! Remember in a weekly paper, your scores are old news. Broaden your audience - high school sports, features on athletes. Lots of poten al with the space you receive for sports coverage.

NEW LISKEARD TEMISKAMING SPEAKER

3

The Speaker took third spot in a sec on featuring just eight submissions. Try to avoid filling sports space with grip’n’grins and team photos. Use ac on for art to compliment the words.

Judge Jules Xavier Editor, Shilo Stag, CFB Shilo, MB

GENERAL COMMENT Having a long career covering daily and community sports, and laying out provincial/na onal award-winning sec ons, judging the best sports sec on always piques my interest when I start perusing the entries. Disappointed in what's happening to our sports sec ons in community newspapers - buried in ads, and why the use of grip 'n grins and team photos? Lazy sports coverage. Just fill space?! Sports is about ac on photography, to enhance the wri en words. Speaking of words.

How about some colour in the stories. And more than just hockey coverage. Yes, hockey is Canada's No. 1 sport, but don't ignore your high school sports coverage. And Ontario high schools provide a sports scribe with plenty of stories to write - especially feature ar cles.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

It has been 38 years since editor Lorne Drury (now re red) offered him his first reporter job at the Brampton Guardian, and he is s ll going like the Energizer Bunny. Currently in Manitoba looking a er the award-winning army newspaper Shilo Stag, which published its first edi on in July 1947, he's kept busy in a two-person newsroom which focuses on army life, including infantry 2PPCLI and ar llery 1RCHA soldiers. Xavier has been with the Stag for nine years and is finally set to re re in July as the 76-year-old Stag’s longest serving editor. He relocated from Vancouver Island following newspaper and radio jobs in Ontario, B.C., and Alberta. Being embedded among soldiers who are honing their figh ng skills for deployment to Ukraine or Latvia is a lot more fun than covering school board or city council mee ngs.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

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SPECIAL SECTION, CIRC. OVER 10,000 3 ENTRIES

1 2 3

LISTOWEL INDEPENDENT PLUS MILVERTON FIRE DEPARTMENT 100TH ANNIVERSARY Great sec on! The sec on pages are easy to iden fy with the matching borders and colour theme.

Stories are interes ng and ads look great.

CORNWALL SEAWAY NEWS CHRISTMAS AT HOME Beau ful magazine print. Very appealing and something people would pick up off the shelf. Something that most magazines include is a table of contents/teaser story list. I thought the 21 things to do was a table of contents - oops. Love the layout and ideas included.

FERGUS WELLINGTON ADVERTISER ARTHUR 150TH ANNIVERSARY Great - nice way to commemorate this event. Nice ads and good stories. Layout lacks crea vity.

Judge Amanda Zimmer Publisher, Claresholm Local Press, Claresholm, AB

GENERAL COMMENT These are all great sec ons recognizing special occasions. Great job in all departments.

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Amanda Zimmer is the publisher of the Claresholm Local Press and has been in the community newspaper business for over 20 years as a graphic designer. She gained her first experience working in a print shop as her a er school job in high school. She completed her Prin ng Management Technologies diploma at SAIT. She is involved with many organiza ons within her community, such as the Claresholm & District Chamber of Commerce, the Welcoming Claresholm Commi ee, Skye-Anna Dance society board, and Summer Games Planning Commi ee. She is also on the AWNA board of directors. Amanda loves living in a small community and being a part of the connec on people have to each other through their paper. She believes the newspaper is the hub of their community and loves to see people reading and sharing it.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

SPECIAL SECTION, CIRC. UNDER 9,999 11 ENTRIES

THE HALDIMAND PRESS - FARMS: HARVEST 2022

1

Wow! Great stuff. Loved the idea. Loved the read. Definitely stood out from the rest. I like that you explain the evolu on of this sec on, too bad you didn't break up that copy with mugs of the copublishers, but that's a minor detail. Stories are interes ng throughout. Love the fact boxes, cheat sheets, pull quotes, and efforts in layout to make the pages appealing, drawing in the readers. Nice clean layout overall. Even loved the different shapes and sizes of pics! Great variety of farming topics, too. Talk about strong ad support, with clean design for ads, too. Like the cover, but a li le disappointed to see a hanging banner on a project like this. Understand the toe lugs, but not the banner ad. Also appreciate efforts through much of it to keep a modular layout. Plus, and this has to be applauded, the kids’ sec on, well, all I can say is: "ACES!"

RENFREW MERCURY - RENFREW 150TH ANNIVERSARY

2

Very striking cover, KUDOS. Not a fan of the browning of old papers for anniversary issues, but it's not too bad here. Love the simple clear banner across. You didn't try to overload it. Some great and concise stories inside. Good clean layout and good imagery. Looks like some great ad support for the project.

Too bad it couldn't be placed in there as a pullout sec on. Thanks for not only looking backwards with your stories, old ads, and art. You also have some ar cles that speak to present and future, which is cool.

Especially love the inclusion of the o en forgo en end of our industry - the people who get our papers in front of our readers - our carriers. Well done!

BARRY'S BAY, THE VALLEY GAZETTE - CHRISTMAS WISHES 2021

3

This Christmas edi on was loaded with lots of great stories and ac vi es for the reader. There's a lot of real good ideas executed here, everything from staff tradi ons to efforts to interact with kids. The message on the front and staff pics along the bo om are nice. Liked the top graphics and most of the headline fonts. A few sugges ons. While it's nice to add in the Christmas history stories (Virginia and T'was), local copy should have lead the special sec on. I like the efforts to reach and involve children and schools, but the large le ers to Santa banners are too big. One per page would have been okay, but even that is a bit much. Graphics in the ads are strong and very fes ve and differ from ad to ad. Well done. Christmas carol pages look nice with headlines and graphics; however the lyrics are hard to read.

Inclusion of poetry was a nice touch, too. Overall, a real feel-good Christmas sec on. Really well done.

Judge GENERAL COMMENT Thanks to all the contestants in this category for all the extra effort you put in on these special sec ons. Your commitment to your readers and to your industry are apparent – and appreciated. Congratula ons to the papers that reached the remarkable 150, 155, and 160-year marks – that in itself is an incredible feat deserving of kudos. The anniversary edi ons you created helped the readers celebrate that milestone. I also salute staff at the papers who took me to honour our soldiers (past and present) with a special Remembrance Day sec on. A must for any publica on. Hats off to you for your efforts, especially those who included feature stories about locals. I have to say the sec ons that grabbed me as different and unexpected were the 11th annual Irish edi on and the Farms Harvest 2022. Unique ideas that were very well executed. Plus the Carry the Torch was a visually appealing and interes ng read. Thanks for reminding me that every story doesn’t have to be epic to be meaningful. Great design. Kudos all around! And again, thanks for crea ng some really great special sec ons. You should all be proud.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Roxanne Hooper Langley Advance Times, Aldergrove Star & Maple Ridge-Pi Meadows News, Langley, BC Roxanne Hooper has been in the newspaper industry since age 15, star ng her career right in Langley – at the then Langley Advance.

While she has also worked for newspapers in Abbotsford, Mission, Maple Ridge-Pi Meadows, and Kamloops, she has a strong passion for sharing stories about the people in her hometown of Langley.

Needless to say, she was excited to return to the local team in 2006, as a reporter. She has since taken over the leadership role in the newsroom as group editor. She’s said she wakes up every day excited about what new challenges will befall this evolving industry and moreover what exci ng stories she and the team will find and share within their community.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

55

BEST FEATURE/UNIT PAGES 12 ENTRIES

1 2 3

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT UPPER CANADA FOOD GUIDE This one stood out as a crea ve solu on for all par es. The descrip on no ng it was part of a weekly feature was also a key factor in scoring high. Nice use of image and editorial to introduce the item with a clear a rac ve front page. The large, clean ads made them easy to use as intended - to pull out and keep adding longevity to the item.

SMITHS FALLS RECORD NEWS SMITHS FALLS HONOURS LPGA SUPERSTAR - BROOKE HENDERSON A crea ve idea with the team element evident. The editorial copy was clearly wri en to the purpose and to the space adver sing allowed for. Ads are large enough and clean enough to have impact, despite some of them being text heavy. Design rose to the challenge on those.

MANITOULIN EXPOSITOR FARM SAFETY Excellent editorial, clearly intended for this use alongside large, clean, and thought out adver sing.

Judge Christine van Reeuwyk Senior journalist, Oak Bay News, Oak Bay, BC

GENERAL COMMENT It was fantas c to see so many truly team projects in this category.

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A er finishing journalism school in 2002, Chris ne van Reeuwyk returned home to Vancouver Island to embark on a career. She has since worked in newsrooms from Victoria to Port Hardy and back again. A mul award winner on the provincial and na onal level, Chris ne has worked as editor of Black Press papers across Greater Victoria and now serves the community of Oak Bay.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BEST CREATIVE AD 12 ENTRIES

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT - RICHARD HARLEY

1

You've managed to personalize the business...we get expert advice from Wally, supported by Patch.

Consistent design in the three ads for this campaign, with the copy adjusted for that month's advice.

Good effort for your medium. Patch would be proud.

FERGUS WELLINGTON ADVERTISER - ALICIA ROZA

2

Nice use of some stock templates...with good placement of the rela ve a rac ons of the event.

FORT FRANCES TIMES - TANYA JEROME

3

The treatment of the YOGA word headline grabs a en on, and then draws you into the unique image of the "on the dock" yoga par cipants. Imagine if they'd sprung for full colour!

Judge Wayne Aubert

GENERAL COMMENT A strong crea ve ad can be put together for your customer with some simple stock images/stock illustra ons, or even a trip out to their business to take some pics (I'm looking at you Patch the Cat). It doesn't have to be expensive in produc on to work. It's going to be a tough market in 2023...let your customers know that you can create eyecatching ads within a ght budget.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Professor, Adver sing and Marke ng Communica ons Management Program, Mohawk College, ON Wayne is a Professor in the Adver sing and Marke ng Communica ons Management program at Mohawk College.

He enjoys reading his weekly Hamilton Mountain News.

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

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IN HOUSE PROMOTION 9 ENTRIES

1

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT RICHARD HARLEY & KEVIN MACLEAN The designer at The Lake Report newspaper wanted to celebrate with a bang and that rings loud and clear! Wow. This entry is incredible. A winning effort to highlight the OCNA awards received the previous year. The first three pages are so well planned and designed with gorgeous material showcased within the pages too. This entry is no ques on design excellence, although I feel page 4 was unnecessary and it didn't really fit into this par cular promo on. Really incredible work!

FORT FRANCES TIMES - LEANNE DONALDSON

2

I love this ad! It's so bright, colourful and fun! The me taken and thought behind each comment bubble shows the commitment the designer made to knock this ad straight out of the park! The visual impact is dynamite. What a great job and fantas c way to introduce the community of Fort Frances to the team at their local paper! Excellent Job!

ELMIRA-WOOLWICH OBSERVER - PAT MERLIHAN

3

Really great job with this In House Promo on. Clean and clear and shows great promo onal pieces for the paper and pride in its community. The designer handled this with obvious skill and care. Nice work by designer and good idea by the Elmira-Woolwich Observer in general for offering local merchandise.

Cool idea.

Judge Andrea Hillo Publisher and Graphic Design, Haiburton, ON

GENERAL COMMENT The work produced by the entries for Best In-House Promo on were all effec ve in raising awareness for their papers. However, the top three showed design excellence and ad originality. The top three clearly took me, effort, thought, and incredible crea ve talent and vision. They clearly show pride in their work, paper and the communi es they serve. Congratula ons!

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Andrea’s design passion and crea ve thinking have afforded her the privilege of working with some of Canada’s leading forces of art and culture, including ar st Michael Dumas, author Roy MacGregor, ar st/musician Mendelson Joe, and legendary naturalist/ar st Robert Bateman. She is an award winning freelance graphic ar st and independent book publisher who has owned her own community newspaper and is a past OCNA award winner, judge, and member. Andrea has worked in the newspaper/publishing industry for over 30 years.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

LOCAL RETAIL LAYOUT 11 ENTRIES

NORTH WELLINGTON COMMUNITY NEWS - ALICIA ROZA

1

Very classy ad! Nice layout and crea ve use of graphics. Very eye catching.

PORT PERRY, THE STANDARD - COLLEEN GREEN

2

Love the use of the pun. Great use of white space in keeping the layout simple and classic.

HALIBURTON, THE HIGHLANDER - TANIA MOHER

3

Nice ad. Great use of white space. I would have put the discount % in front of the store wide. I think it reads be er.

Judge Amanda Zimmer Publisher, Claresholm Local Press, Claresholm, AB

GENERAL COMMENT Nice ads! Great work between the sales teams and designers to create clear, comprehensive messages.

Sponsored by: Metro Crea ve Graphics ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Amanda Zimmer is the publisher of the Claresholm Local Press and has been in the community newspaper business for over 20 years as a graphic designer. She gained her first experience working in a print shop as her a er school job in high school. She completed her Prin ng Management Technologies diploma at SAIT. She is involved with many organiza ons within her community, such as the Claresholm & District Chamber of Commerce, the Welcoming Claresholm Commi ee, Skye-Anna Dance society board, and Summer Games Planning Commi ee. She is also on the AWNA board of directors. Amanda loves living in a small community and being a part of the connec on people have to each other through their paper. She believes the newspaper is the hub of their community and loves to see people reading and sharing it.

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ORIGINAL AD IDEA 7 ENTRIES

DEEP RIVER NORTH RENFREW TIMES - JANE BARKLEY

1

Love this design. Great colour choices for a winter ad. Jumps off the page.

PORT PERRY, THE STANDARD - COLLEEN GREEN

2 3

Great ad! Very eye catching and stands out on the page.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT RICHARD HARLEY & KEVIN MACLEAN Great ad for yourselves. Relevant messaging in clear, concise points. Gonna steal this idea for my own paper!

Judge Amanda Zimmer Publisher, Claresholm Local Press, Claresholm, AB

GENERAL COMMENT Tough to pick a winner in this category. All ads are very good.

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Amanda Zimmer is the publisher of the Claresholm Local Press and has been in the community newspaper business for over 20 years as a graphic designer. She gained her first experience working in a print shop as her a er school job in high school. She completed her Prin ng Management Technologies diploma at SAIT. She is involved with many organiza ons within her community, such as the Claresholm & District Chamber of Commerce, the Welcoming Claresholm Commi ee, Skye-Anna Dance society board, and Summer Games Planning Commi ee. She is also on the AWNA board of directors. Amanda loves living in a small community and being a part of the connec on people have to each other through their paper. She believes the newspaper is the hub of their community and loves to see people reading and sharing it.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BEST USE OF COLOUR 10 ENTRIES

PORT PERRY, THE STANDARD - NATASHA GREEN

1

Excellent example of the colour white bringing life to full colour. Beau ful layout shows the adver ser's products clearly and instantly. Love the colour swatch bar running up the centre of page. Great balance.

Well done!

FERGUS WELLINGTON ADVERTISER - STEVE GILHOLM

2

Nice use of colour. The bright and light copy works well to balance the black background. I like that they used a gradient yellow and red as the font colour to emphasize the business being fireplaces and grills.

Nice job. This ad must have really popped off the page!

NORTH WELLINGTON COMMUNITY NEWS - ALICIA ROZA

3

Great use of red as spot colour. The solid black starbursts work well with the red and white. I did have to look at their website to see exactly what they sold. The ad didn't make it really clear. Overall great use of colour.

HONOURABLE MENTION NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT - RICHARD HARLEY Crisp and cool! I feel cold looking at this ad! :) Beau fully simple and does call for immediate ac on. The adver ser must have been pleased with this ad represen ng their company. Nice job.

Judge Andrea Hillo Publisher and Graphic Design, Haiburton, ON

GENERAL COMMENT The use of colour can o en be tricky. Too much or too li le can make a world of difference especially when prin ng on newsprint. The top four of this category show confidence in their design choices and use colour to enhance their message, not overpower it. I liked the use of white in the winning ad, and black in the second place ad to compliment the colours being used. Nice to see a couple spot colour ads too! Great work. Congratula ons!

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Andrea’s design passion and crea ve thinking have afforded her the privilege of working with some of Canada’s leading forces of art and culture, including ar st Michael Dumas, author Roy MacGregor, ar st/musician Mendelson Joe, and legendary naturalist/ar st Robert Bateman. She is an award winning freelance graphic ar st and independent book publisher who has owned her own community newspaper and is a past OCNA award winner, judge, and member. Andrea has worked in the newspaper/publishing industry for over 30 years.

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BEST COMMUNITY WEBSITE/ WEBPORTAL, CIRC. OVER 10,000 11 ENTRIES

1 2 3

HAMILTON MOUNTAIN NEWS THESPEC.COM/LOCAL-HAMILTON-MOUNTAIN/HOME.HTML A clean website. Easy to navigate, with strong local content and a variety of other categories. Local video to support stories and reader engagement opportuni es such as polls, or invita ons to contribute, would make this winning site much stronger.

CAMBRIDGE TIMES CAMBRIDGETIMES.CA Another clean website design, with content arranged in an easy to find fashion. More photos add to the appeal of this layout.

ANCASTER NEWS THESPEC.COM/LOCAL-ANCASTER/HOME.HTML Third place is based on the same website template as the winners, which offered slightly stronger content in their entry.

Judge Andrew Holota

GENERAL COMMENT Almost all of the entries in this category had well-designed websites, with some easier to navigate than others. Local content was good overall but video storytelling is integral to good news websites, so the general absence of that in the entries was surprising. Also, efforts could be made to add more reader interac vity to all the sites, such as polls, quizzes and invita ons to contribute content.

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Editorial Director, Black Press Media, BC Andrew Holota recently re red as the editorial director of Black Press Media, the largest independently owned newspaper company in Canada, with more than 150 tles in print and online in Bri sh Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska. In his role, Andrew oversaw editorial strategies and standards, including print and digital, coordinated hiring, training, and mentoring programs for mul media journalists, and provided first-line legal advice to the chain’s publica ons. Andrew's journalism career began more than 40 years ago as a photographer. He moved into repor ng and was an editor at various B.C. community newspapers.

Throughout his career, he has won numerous provincial, na onal, and con nental awards.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BEST COMMUNITY WEBSITE/ WEBPORTAL, CIRC. UNDER 9.999 15 ENTRIES

FORT FRANCES TIMES - FFTIMES.COM

1 2

This is a busy website, but it's not so busy that it makes the reader want to leave. The drop-down menus are very detailed, and you can get to wherever it is you want to go quickly. Local content is front and centre, and that's key when you want people to s ck around. I chose this site as the winner because from the moment I visited, something always caught my eye that I wanted to read or learn more about.

Simple websites are o en the best, but you want to give the visitor a reason to stay and play. This site does that.

VANKLEEK HILL REVIEW - THEREVIEW.CA For a publica on which depends on dona ons, this is a rather impressive opera on. I like how everything is laid out and there's a good mix of community news with sports sprinkled in. A li le something for everyone when they log on. It is visually pleasing on the eyes, nothing overpowering.

WILMOT - TAVISTOCK GAZETTE - WILMOTPOST.CA

3

Really nice local sports coverage and current news that readers will see as soon as they visit. Also like the interac vity of the site where ps can be submi ed for news, community events and le ers. The le ers/opinion por on is where this site is lacking, but the rest makes up for that.

Judge

HONOURABLE MENTION LISTOWEL BANNER - MIDWESTERNNEWSPAPERS.COM My favourite part about this website is the amount of local sports coverage. As an old sports editor myself, that is always a big sell in a small community. People like to see that and that's from experience here in Yellowknife. Good local news content in there as well. The only drawback being the opinion page. Other than that, very nice.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT - NIAGARANOW.COM I don't know what the site used to look like, but this was my first visit to the site and I enjoyed it. Simple is always be er and that's what you get with this site. A nice use of photography with each ar cle and an easy sitemap. Very nice.

GENERAL COMMENT

James McCarthy Managing Editor, Northern News Services Ltd., Nunavut and NWT James McCarthy has been with NNSL Media since 2007. He began as the sports editor and performed several other du es on the side before being gently nudged to take on the managing editor's role in August 2022. James is a past OCNA award winner for his work with Nunavut News and has won several other regional and na onal awards for his sports wri ng and event coverage.

All the entries had their own style, which probably works for their region. Some had plenty of good local content in one shot on one day, some had one or two fresh stories per day. A lot of the sites were simple in nature, which is good. The busier it looks; the more things can get lost. Most of the sites were easy to navigate and the informa on was easy to get to. A couple of the sites had news which was out of date by several weeks and that’s never a good sign.

My top three and honourable men ons were the ones which stood out to me as I was visi ng those sites for the very first me. Well done to you all and keep up the good community news fight.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

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ONLINE SPECIAL INITIATIVE 4 ENTRIES

HALIBURTON, THE HIGHLANDER

1

Outstanding work in using online and print to cover the civic elec on. The use of podcast was able to reach a younger demographic and liked that the material was used to print opinion pieces. The produc on of the two shows ensured a comprehensive coverage for the elec on.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT - EVAN SAUNDERS

2

A great way to approach this important & debatable topic with the support of interac ve online maps, making the data support of the story clear and precise.

BURLINGTON POST - LOUIE ROSELLA & BAMBANG SADEWO

3

Great resources for the music fes vals with showstoppers, videos, and an interac ve map. Opportunity to expand it to a year round channel within the website.

Judge Alvin Chow Publisher, Richmond News, Richmond, BC

GENERAL COMMENT All entries are massive projects which require extra prepara on, innova on and using different pla orms to a ract the non-tradi onal print newspaper audience. Shoutout to their me commitment in going that extra mile to build new digital audience, which is essen al for news media outlets these days.

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Alvin Chow is the Publisher of the Richmond News and Vice President, Na onal Adver sing Sales at Glacier Media Group. He started his newspaper career at the Edmonton Journal in 1993 and over the last 30 years with various sales roles for Southam, Canwest and Postmedia. In 2016 he joined Glacier Media as VP, Na onal Sales, Western Canada and then in 2018 also assumed the Publisher role for the Richmond News. He is a member of the Marke ng Commi ee for News Media Canada and Vice Chair of the Board for NABS West.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

ONLINE BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE 12 ENTRIES

1 2 3

MILTON CANADIAN CHAMPION HERB GARBUTT, LOUIE ROSELLA & GRAHAM PAINE First place eventually went to the Milton Canadian Champion for its clear and comprehensive coverage of four local shoo ngs: a police officer killed on break at Tim Hortons, a near-fatal car-jacking nearby, the killing of an auto shop owner and the fatal police shoo ng of the perpetrator. There were many moving pieces in a highly charged atmosphere. What made the coverage so compelling were profiles of two of the vic ms, which gave shape to understanding the events leading up to such tragic losses of life.

BARRIE ADVANCE JOHN EDWARDS, FRANK MATYS & SARA CARSON Second place went to the Barrie Advance for its highly responsive repor ng on an accident that killed six local teenagers. The challenge was piecing together a complicated meline of events and the somewhat bizarre nature of the accident. (The vehicle was not found for hours a er the teens were reported missing because it fell into a deep pit at a closed road construc on site.) By focusing on the vic ms, and a ending the crash site memorial, the true scope of the tragedy was made clear to readers.

CARLETON PLACE/ALMONTE CANADIAN GAZETTE HOLLIE PRATT-CAMPBELL & ASHLEY KULP The difference between third place and honourable men on was equally ght. Eventually third place went to the Carlton Place/Almonte Canadian Gaze e for its coverage of a weekend storm that downed power lines and caused widespread damage. The repor ng team sourced out a variety of people to interview in a very mely manner.

Judge

HONOURABLE MENTION SMITHS FALLS RECORD NEWS - LAURIE WEIR, MELISSA NOVACASKA & HOLLIE PRATT-CAMPBELL - Honourable men on went to the Smith Falls Record News for its quick and comprehensive coverage of a pre-Christmas fire that destroyed a local fire sta on.

Interviews made the impact real for readers.

Martha Perkins Re red journalist of 30 years, Ontario and BC

GENERAL COMMENT The top four entries in this category all demonstrated exemplary repor ng of both the news angles of a devasta ng community event and the human impact. Judging seesawed between all four, with narrower and narrower criteria needing to be applied to come up with a ranking. How difficult was it to get informa on? Were reporters on the scene?

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Martha Perkins is a re red newspaper editor who has helmed award-winning community newspapers in Ontario’s co age country and Bri sh Columbia’s Lower Mainland.

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MULTIMEDIA ONLINE/BEST ONLINE EXPERIENCE FOR A STORY 5 ENTRIES

1 2 3

MISSISSAUGA NEWS IAIN COLPITTS & ALEXANDRA HECK Strong interac ve graphics and a map help guide the reader through a complex chain of events in mul ple shoo ngs. Some suppor ng video would have boosted this entry into a higher mark; however, the effort and design that went into enhancing this story makes it the winner.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT RICHARD HARLEY & NICHOLAS ROTHWELL A fairly well wri en piece, albeit with too much a ribu on to each bit of informa on. Feature writers can and should take much more narra ve freedom in presen ng facts if there is an obvious and con nuous source throughout the piece. The video is very well done, with different angles, close-ups and quote clips. Some of the segments on mushrooms just begged for descrip ve cap ons, since readers want to know what they're looking at.

GEORGINA ADVOCATE AMANDA PERSICO & KIM ZARZOUR Solid inves ga ve repor ng, with the use of some slick, interac ve graphics. Video footage of the protest and some sound bytes from sources would have added to the appeal.

Judge

Andrew Holota

GENERAL COMMENT Although there were only a handful of entries in this category, several showed good crea ve effort to help readers visualize and understand a story. Timelines and interac ve maps were used effec vely in a few entries, but were not accompanied by video, which would have enhanced the presenta on even more, or vice versa. There's no doubt graphics and videos are me-consuming, but they are vital online elements that invite readers to engage, spend more me with a piece, and leave feeling well-informed.

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Editorial Director, Black Press Media, BC Andrew Holota recently re red as the editorial director of Black Press Media, the largest independently owned newspaper company in Canada, with more than 150 tles in print and online in Bri sh Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska. In his role, Andrew oversaw editorial strategies and standards, including print and digital, coordinated hiring, training, and mentoring programs for mul media journalists, and provided first-line legal advice to the chain’s publica ons. Andrew's journalism career began more than 40 years ago as a photographer. He moved into repor ng and was an editor at various B.C. community newspapers.

Throughout his career, he has won numerous provincial, na onal, and con nental awards.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BREAKING NEWS VIDEO 1 ENTRY

1

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, THE LAKE REPORT DAVE VAN DE LAAR & KEVIN MACLEAN Kids having fun can make good community stories, and knowing that video can some mes be an a erthought, I applaud the videographer for their work here. The horizontal pans, pushes, and movement were smooth and though ul, making for a comfortable viewing experience and the angle and ligh ng were well thought out and captured cute children having a great me, which is wonderful.

Things to watch out for next me. I always look for opportuni es to maximize visual interest, so even without edi ng, it is possible to mix in medium shots and close-ups to your great wide shots. This will add variety and inten on into the video to really see the smiles and fun chaos of children and parents.

This could have added some extra elements to keep audiences engaged throughout the dura on of the video.

At one point, I also saw your thumb cover the lens, which some mes happens but is definitely something to think about for next me. However, you recovered quickly, which is great. Nice job and I hope to con nue to see you out there making videos.

Judge Arnold Lim Execu ve Producer, Black Press Video Networks, Victoria, BC

GENERAL COMMENT The transition for newsrooms to incorporate video storytelling into the news cycle has been a challenging one for some, but the work in this years’ entries is proof that a great storyteller is a great storyteller, regardless of the medium. Congratulations!

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Photo and video journalist Arnold Lim directed his first full-length feature film in 2020 and was awarded the Director’s Guild of Canada BC’s Greenlight award in 2022. He’s been a film fes val programmer for the Victoria Film Fes val and the Vancouver Asian Film Fes val and is the Execu ve Director of the Black Press Video Networks in Victoria, Canada, where he has worked for 14 years.

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& e g e l l o C y t i s r e v i n U

STUDENT FEATURE WRITING 18 ENTRIES

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE - ERIN HORROCKS-POPE

1

Erin Horrocks-Pope opens up in a brave account of her struggles with loneliness and depression during the pandemic, backed up with solid research and sources on the importance of pet companions in mental health. Well done.

ALGONQUIN COLLEGE - NATHAN DRESCHER

2

Nathan Drescher provides a very human look at the "other side" of the war in Ukraine, the effect on dissen ng Russians trying to make their way in the West. Tightly wri en.

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE - KAI GAMMAGE

3

Kai Gammage provides an in-depth look at the struggle to rebound from the effects of COVID on a community be er known for high energy and raw intensity. Great research.

Judge Terry Myers Editor in chief, North Renfrew Times, Deep River, ON

GENERAL COMMENT This was a difficult category to judge - there wasn't a weak entry in the bunch. Congratula ons to all the writers! The winners set themselves apart by the narrowest of margins with just a li le "something" more.

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A er gradua ng from the University of Toronto, Terry Myers began his community newspaper career with the North Renfrew Times (NRT) in his hometown of Deep River in 1986. He later worked for the O awa Ci zen and as news editor for the former Pembroke Daily News. He returned to the NRT as editor-in-chief in 1998 and in 2017, along with two other employees, purchased the newspaper from its previous owners, the Deep River Community Associa on.

He has won mul ple awards at the provincial and na onal level, including awards for news, feature, and editorial wri ng.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

STUDENT NEWS WRITING 17 ENTRIES

DURHAM COLLEGE - JOEY COLE

1

A fine story about an important global issue. I would have liked it if the lede had a stronger personal connec on (ie. men on a par cipant by name and describe why they're there.)

FANSHAWE COLLEGE - AMY SIMON

2

Great story about a drama c rescue with great a en on to detail. Liked that the writer captured the human drama of interna onal students making a difference here.

LOYALIST COLLEGE - JESSICA SCHMIDT

3

This was a fun story about a fun topic. I recommend the writer remember Strunk and White's maxim: "Omit needless words." (ie "ci es and towns" not needed in paragraph one).

Judge Steve Warburton Editor, The Glengarry News, Alexandria, ON

GENERAL COMMENT There is a lot of talent and poten al in this year’s crop of student journalists. I encourage everyone to never stop reading - both journalism and non-journalism sources - as this is the best way to hone your cra .

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Steven Warburton has been the editor of The Glengarry News for nearly 20 years. He has worked regularly in Canadian newspapers since 1999.

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STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHY 9 ENTRIES

LOYALIST COLLEGE FELIX CHAGNON

1

Excellent composi on, ligh ng, and ac on. Your photos definitely tell a story and are engaging. Well done.

DURHAM COLLEGE CORRADO DISTEFANO

2

Great ac on shot. I love the facial expressions on the players. It can be difficult to get the ligh ng correct when photographing in an indoor arena, but you nailed it. Well done.

LOYALIST COLLEGE KAYLA ISOMURA The photo was taken at an intriguing angle. The ligh ng is great, as is the colour. Very interes ng.

Judge Colleen Green

GENERAL COMMENT The majority of the photos entered were of outstanding technical quality. I would suggest that it is important to remember how you are framing up your photo. It is always a good idea to include more of the background than you think necessary, so when it comes me to crop it you have the ability to do so as a ver cal or horizontal photo without cu ng someone’s foot or hat off. In the cropping stage bear in mind the horizon and the ver cal lines of the buildings or other landmarks.

Having a photo slightly crooked is distrac ng and looks unprofessional.

That being said, cropping a photo on an inten on angle can be used for a great effect such as in the wrestling photo. Last but certainly not least, always make sure your photos tell a story.

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Owner/Publisher, The Standard News, North Durham/Kawartha, ON I began my career in publishing as a graphic designer in 1987.

Eventually working my way up to Night Shi Produc on Manager at the Port Perry Star in 2000. In 2006 I went to work for the Scugog Standard newspaper, where I eventually became the General Manager. In 2016 I purchased the company and renamed it The Standard Newspaper. I have done everything from stuffing flyers, delivery, produc on, sales, photography, wri ng, managing and accoun ng. There isn't an area of newspaper publishing that I haven't done. I love this industry and the privilege it affords me to be a part of and promote my local community.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

BEST COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY NEWSPAPER WEBSITE 5 ENTRIES

FANSHAWE COLLEGE - THEINTERROBANG.CA

1

This Interrobang’s design is clean, with a minimalist look. It seems to maintain a posi ve, upbeat voice, with the goal of a posi ve student experience. It doesn't delve into as many serious topics as many other student publica ons do, which could be posi ve or nega ve, depending on the goal of the publica on. It has the biggest social media presence of all the finalists, with the largest number of followers. It engages with its readers, with contests and calls for submissions, including its upcoming Black History Month feature. It uses students, faculty and alumni as sources for stories, and each story comes with a writer bio, giving the reader a personal connec on to the site. There is a strong mul media presence throughout, with the use of podcasts, video and online ar cles, all supported by social media.

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE - TORONTOOBSERVER.CA

2

Torontoobserver.ca is visually a rac ve and well designed. Its interface is intui ve, and gives users mul ple ways to find each category, so they can easily find the one which suits their preference. A very well-planned, easy to navigate site. The photo choices were striking, though it would have been nice to see less stock imagery, and more from the students. Its coverage is community focused and relevant.

The Toronto at 4 a.m. feature was really fascina ng! I couldn't stop reading! The students do a great job of crea ng a mul -media experience. The sports sec on is extensive and does a nice job of diversifying its coverage. Where this entry fell short was in the interac ve categories of this rubric. The school's social media feeds are spo y. The Twi er feed is somewhat ac ve, but the Facebook feed is not. There is no way to interact with the site in any way, other than a contact form.

HUMBER COLLEGE - HUMBERNEWS.CA

3

A nice clean site, and easy to navigate for newcomers. Title page has a large number of stories, but the use of borders and categories keeps it from looking too busy or confusing. The image icons used for each story are well-sized. However, the blue italic headlines are a bit difficult to read. Once the reader clicks into a story, the large top photo adds a nice bold introduc on. However, many were missing cutlines, and had no context or source. There appeared to be some elements that would have been great, but didn't work, like the comments feature and star ra ngs. The social media feeds were easy to find, but the access to TV and podcasts were buried at the bo om, and not visible at all in the mobile version. It would be nice to see the cross-pla orm work featured more prominently, because it really adds a lot of value! The features were fascina ng. The Reckoning was a fantas c group project, and I loved reading through the culmina ng projects, to see the students dive deep into topics they're passionate about.

Judge Megan Walchuk

GENERAL COMMENT Colleges and universi es are at the forefront of new technology, using online pla orms to showcase their work in new and innova ve ways.

This year's nominees have shown just some of what's possible in merging mul -media and social pla orms for a full experience, capable of reaching a wide variety of users. These sites are definitely worth a look for any newsroom looking for interes ng and innova ve ways to design and u lize their own online pla orm. The future of online media is in good hands, with these nominees.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Editor, Fort Frances Times, Fort Frances, ON Megan Walchuk is currently the editor of the Fort Frances Times.

She graduated with honours from Sheridan College's Print Journalism course in 2001. A er gradua on, she worked for the Burlington Post, Flamborough Post and Flamborough Review, before taking a hiatus to care for her family.

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The OCNA Hall of Fame Award recognizes and celebrates individuals who have made exemplary contribu ons to Ontario’s community newspapers. Inductees are respected community news professionals who have remained passionate about the industry throughout challenges, opportuni es, and changes. They are leaders who have helped community newspapers adapt and grow.

To see the full synopsis of each of our inductees, please go to OCNA’s Hall of Fame.

MICHAEL ATKINS President, Lauren an Publishing Michael Atkins began his newspaper career as a reporter at the Fort William Times Journal. He had found his life's work, but he le the paper shortly a er. Following a s nt at The Manitoulin Expositor, he moved to Sudbury in September 1973. At the age of 25, he was editor and publisher of the Sudbury Northern Life. At one me, Northern Life published three edi ons every week and was delivered to more than 40,000 homes, providing serious compe on for readership and adver sing revenue for Sudbury's daily newspaper. In 1980, he launched Northern Ontario Business, a newspaper which bridged northern communi es for the first me. Northern Life and Northern Ontario Business grew into Lauren an Publishing. At one me Atkins owned more than a dozen community newspapers throughout Ontario. Atkins was one of the first community newspaper publishers to embrace digital media, and in 2003 launched Northernlife.ca. The website, which won provincial and na onal awards, was rebranded as Sudbury.com in 2016. It was purchased

by Village Media in 2020. Although he was enthusias cally involved with awards programs for business and community leaders, he discouraged people from nomina ng him for honours. They did not listen. Atkins was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary Club of Sudbury, an honorary Doctorate of Le ers from Lauren an University, and the pres gious Dr. Fred Sheridan Award from Cambrian College.

ABBAS HOMAYED, Former Publisher, Sudbury Northern Life; Publisher, Sudbury.com Abbas Homayed came to Canada in 1986 with li le money and li le English. He began his newspaper career in 1991, driving a truck delivering the Sudbury Northern Life, a er his IBM career ended in a layoff. Soon a er, he managed the circula on and distribu on departments, and only a few years later, he became publisher of the newspaper. He then became vice president of its parent company, Lauren an Publishing. As publisher of more than a dozen newspapers, magazines and journals, Homayed’s keen business sense and philanthropic ideals help to bridge businesses and non-profit. In both his personal and professional life, he shows his commitment to improving the social condi ons of his community. By harnessing the power of print and digital media as a voice for change, Homayed helped create several transforma ve ventures. He has created mentorship and scholarship opportuni es for youth, as well as several award recogni on programs to honour excellence in business, women of influence, outstanding young professionals, and community advancement. Homayed served on the board of OCNA for 15 years, two of those spent as president. In 2014 he became the president of the CCNA. His newspaper and community efforts earned him the esteemed Gold Quill Award. A visionary in the evolu on of the publishing industry and a leader in the art of collabora on, Abbas Homayed models for others the hallmarks of a true community builder.

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ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

KEITH ROULSTON Re red Publisher, Blyth/Brussels Ci zen

MURRAY SKINNER, Re red President, Metroland Media Group

JIM THOMAS Re red Columnist/Editor, Stouffville Sun-Tribune, Metroland

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

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RANK

Front Page

Community News

Ed. & Op. Ed Pages

Haliburton, the Highlander Niagara This Week, Fort Erie Post Glanbrook Gaze e Perth Courier Niagara This Week, The Leader Bracebridge Examiner

150 103 80 98 85 73 83

150 134 114 101 106 102 103 105 110 104 99 95 100 101 94 93 100

100 73 81 70 63 70 69 75 78 69 85 76 81 78 58 63 33

Leamington/Wheatley Southpoint Sun Journal Innisfil Journal Port Perry, The Standard Voice of Pelham Collingwood Connec on Waterdown Flamborough Review Wasaga/Stayner Sun Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Lake Report Smiths Falls Record News North Grenville Times

76 2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

78 78 89 89 83 78 78

90 89

89

RANK

Ed. & Op. Ed Pages

NEWSPAPER

CLASS 4 (CIRC. 6,500 - 12,499)

100 85 82 84 74 83 75 77

100 91 81 89 83 79 84 80

100 87 88 89 88 87 83 82

100 89 90 89 89 88 80 85

25 20 20 20 16 20 19 20

50 39 34 45 35 36 31 31

25 22 24 4 17 0 15 22

25 16 16 22 22 15 14 16

925 794 774 763 737 710 691 660

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

RANK

TOTAL

Community News

100 88 86 82 80 81 43 32

TOTAL

Front Page 106

150 135 129 122 124 114 126 109

TOTAL

Arts Coverage

St. Marys Independent

150 122 128 113 109 107 121

Arts Coverage

Eganville Leader New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker Niagara This Week, Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance Vankleek Hill Review Gravenhurst Banner Wilmot - Tavistock Gaze e

CLASS 2&3 (CIRC. 2,000 - 6,499)

Arts Coverage

Sports

NEWSPAPER

120

Sports

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Sports

Local Features

925 807 804 787 785 760 759 758 756 720 709

Local Features

25 18 22 15 21 17 16 14 14 16 14

Local Features

Classified Adver sing

25 22 19 23 17 20 21 13 15 20 7

Classified Adver sing

50 37 42 40 43 36 37 42 33 38 31

Classified Adver sing

Adver sing Design

25 23 24 19 21 20 20 18 18 20 18

Adver sing Design

100 88 90 88 85 86 86 88 89 90 90

Adver sing Design

Adver sing Content 100 87 89 89 79 85 85 88 87 90 84

Adver sing Content

100 92 87 90 88 85 85 87 86 82 80

Adver sing Content

Photography

100 87 83 85 83 79 87 88 78 81 83

Photography

Presenta on

127 105 119

100 87 91 87 90 84 82 80 83 66 84

The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton Haliburton County Echo Listowel Banner Minden Times Walkerton Herald Times

Photography

Ed. & Op. Ed Pages

Burks Falls Almaguin News Wingham Advance Times Barry’s Bay, The Valley Gaze e Parry Sound North Star

150 131 135 129 133 130 127 120 126 112 99

NEWSPAPER

Presenta on

Community News

Deep River North Renfrew Times

150 135 122 122 125 118 113

CLASS 1 (CIRC. 1,999 & UNDER)

Presenta on

Front Page

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

100 82 78 75 81 75 76 75 77 72 74 75 75 75 75 75 70

100 72 72 73 73 73 73 68 72 70 73 72 75 67 75 72 70

100 82 90 90 90 94 83 80 80 73 74 81 80 80 74 82 77

100 82 88 88 91 92 83 80 81 73 74 80 81 80 74 82 77

25 22 22 20 20 22 21 16 13 20 13 21 18 16 3 22 21

50 43 38 38 38 38 39 40 43 38 33 39 38 38 33 33 38

25 18 9 8 0 0 7 24 0 16 7 0 0 0 22 0 16

25 20 9 14 8 10 11 6 9 12 9 6 0 9 21 6 19

925 731 681 675 655 649 648 647 641 636 630 628 626 622 619 617 610

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

Classified Adver sing

Local Features

Sports

Arts Coverage

TOTAL

RANK

100 83 80 82 84 82 79 81 82 80 82 78 82

25 25 18 21 21 21 17 19 19 18 21 15 17

50 41 41 44 38 41 39 41 36 40 34 36 37

25 16 17 18 12 12 9 9 7 12 9 10 14

100 80 91 85

100 78 55 90

25 0 19 0

100 88 91 70

50 35 15 15

775 602 601 465

1 2 3

RANK

100 85 83 87 87 88 79 86 77 73 80 78 80

TOTAL

Sports

Adver sing Design

100 78 82 80 79 75 78 80 75 78 77 75 76

RANK

Adver sing Content

100 76 86 83 82 81 80 83 83 81 81 80 80

Arts Coverage

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Local Features

100 75 75 0

925 739 734 688 686 673 651 645 636 610 559

TOTAL

Ed. & Op. Ed Pages

150 136 135 75

25 19 21 14 7 7 10 5 3 3 5

Classified Adver sing

Community News

150 110 120 130

25 16 20 0 4 5 0 5 0 0 7

Sports

Front Page

Durham College - The Chronicle Fanshawe College - Interrobang Loyalist College - Pioneer

CLASS 8 (College & University)

122

50 43 37 30 29 27 22 20 15 14 20

Adver sing Design

NEWSPAPER

Niagara This Week, St. Catharines Milton Canadian Champion Burlington Post Oakville Beaver Stoney Creek News Orillia Today

25 19 18 23 20 20 20 19 21 20 17

Local Features

Ed. & Op. Ed Pages 100 88 84 83 78 80 81 81 81 78 80 80 80

100 69 76 86 81 83 78 77 83 76 70

Adver sing Content

Community News

124 122 118 83 78

150 140 120 113 115 113 121 107 115 113 110 117 106

100 75 80 87 82 85 78 77 83 76 71

Adver sing Content & Design

Front Page 150 125 135 127 124 125 126

CLASS 6&7 (CIRC. 22,500 & over)

Photography

Fergus Wellington Adver ser Barrie Advance Niagara This Week, Niagara Falls Listowel Independent Plus Niagara This Week, Welland Hamilton Mountain News

125

100 69 67 52 66 64 52 53 63 50 56

Photography

NEWSPAPER

119 123 119 123

100 84 68 82 83 78 83 83 82 82 68

Photography

100 88 102 73 74 63 78 78 68 78 48

Elmira-Woolwich Observer Orangeville Ci zen Grimsby Lincoln News Midland/Penetanguishene Mirror Haldimand County, The Sachem Ancaster News Dundas Star News Alliston Herald Georgetown/Acton Independent & Free Press Orangeville Banner

Presenta on

Ed. & Op. Ed Pages

115 121 97

150 129 120 122 117 122 107 103 103 90 100

NEWSPAPER

Presenta on

Community News

150 128 125

CLASS 5 (CIRC. 12,500 - 22,499)

Presenta on

Front Page

JUDGE SCORESHEETS

25 21 13 19 17 11 19 18 16 14 13 15 14

925 778 759 757 737 729 728 727 715 709 705 704 703

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

77

Congratulations to all the 2022 BNC Award Winners!

BETTER NEWSPAPERS COMPETITION Before you know it, it will be time for the 2023 BNC Awards. The call for entries will take place October 1st to October 31st, 2023. Entries will be eligible from any member newspaper published from October 1st, 2022, to September 30th, 2023.

Watch the OCNA website and your inbox on October 1st for the 2023 BNC entry rules and criteria.

Start watching for your entries today!

JOIN US at

HOCKLEY VALLEY RESORT ORANGEVILLE, ON November 3-4, 2023 for the

The OCNA is pleased to be able to recognize the passion you have for your profession and the outstanding work you produce each week!

OCNA

Independent Publishers’ Retreat

Hall Of Fame The Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA) is proud to recognize and celebrate individuals who have made exemplary contributions to Ontario’s community newspapers through our Hall of Fame. Inductees will be respected community news professionals who have remained passionate about the industry throughout challenges, opportunities and changes. They will be leaders who have helped community newspapers adapt and grow.

Nominees are encouraged from all aspects of the industry, including but not limited to editorial, advertising, publishing, production, circulation, finance, sales or design.

This Award may also be given posthumously.

For more informa on on these or any other OCNA member services, please go to the OCNA website at www.ocna.org.

ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION

2022 | OCNA BNC Awards Results

79