Calais Advertiser Named for Six MPA Awards

Every year, the Maine Press Association [MPA] holds a contest for newspapers around the state to submit their best material for recognition. Weekly papers are divided into two categories based on their circulation, Weekly 1 (4,000 copies a week and under) and Weekly 2 (4,000 and over). This year, The Calais Advertiser was named for six awards in the Weekly 1 category.

For their work in coordinating and promoting the return of paperboys to the streets of Calais, Pierre Little and Lura Jackson received first place in Best Circulation Promotion. Also receiving the award for his instrumental role as the quintessential paperboy is Shane DelMonaco, who was the most active paperboy during the promotion. Paperboys that participated were provided with copies of The Calais Advertiser to distribute on a regular basis to their chosen neighborhoods in Calais; the paperboys were allowed and encouraged to keep the payments they received from their customers. Several subscriptions to the paper were requested as a result.

The Feature section was awarded third place statewide. Per the submission guidelines, our Feature section demonstrates sound “creativity, writing, photography, editing, planning and completeness.” The award belongs to the staff of The Calais Advertiser.

Cheryl Stabinski and Beth McCray received dual recognition for their work in contributing to and designing our Dining Guide ad series, which judges recognized as an “unusual idea” for an in-house ad series that benefits the paper, local businesses and readers alike. The Dining Guide series received third place overall.

Lura Jackson was named for three writing awards. Her story on the incoming fiber optic broadband initiative being undertaken by Calais and Baileyville received third place in Analysis, while the initiative of Pratt dealership to “go green” by installing solar panels received third place as an Environmental story. Finally, she received a third place award for Food-related coverage with her piece about the value of the Farmers’ Market to the community.

The MPA award ceremonies will take place in Sunday River on Saturday, October 20th.