Dear Readers,

This is a brag. I am going to share some news with you about the hardworking folks who bring you the news at the Boothbay Register and the Wiscasset Newspaper. 

You see, last weekend, the Maine Press Association held its yearly gathering where they announced the results of the annual contest to determine who wrote the best news story, took the best news photo and on and on for the dozens of other sub-categories that are part of newspaperland.

The bottom line: we’re number two. We would rather be number one, but maybe next year.

The big award was for general excellence. The judges, all out of state folks, said the Register was the second best large weekly paper in Maine. The same group named the Wiscasset Newspaper the second best small weekly paper in the state.

Judges said the Register was, “A solid newspaper, providing complete coverage of the government issues, local businesses … the paper accomplishes a lot in its pages.”

As for the Wiscasset Newspaper, the judges said “Readers of this paper are lucky to have such an expansive resource of community news.”

We are very proud of both papers and their hardworking staffers.

In the individual awards, Susan Johns, our fine reporter for the Wiscasset Newspaper, was awarded first and third place in the news story category. The winning story was about the Edgecomb Board of Selectmen wrestling over whether to allow a fireworks store in town. It was an “engagingly written story about the functions and dysfunctions of local government. Well done,” the judges said.

John Maguire, another fine Wiscasset Newspaper reporter, wrote a story about a tree. Not just any old tree, but one of the state’s most recognizable trees. It is the tree standing behind Red’s Eats in downtown Wiscasset, which provides shade to thousands of tourists each year who stop for a lobster roll at one of the state’s most popular eateries.

The judges said John used a “unique and touching approach to a topic that could have been written any old way. But the clever tense wasn’t just that – it was backed up by research, storytelling and impressive writing.” 

The Register also took third place in Advertising General Excellence.

Also, Southport photographer Bob Mitchell was awarded second place in the scenic photo category for a stunning image of the Boothbay Harbor footbridge.  

The Maine Press Association, which has been around since 1864,  also named our retired Managing Editor Mary Dodge Brewer to the group’s Hall of Fame; but readers of our newspapers already knew that was going to happen.

Well done to the staff of the Register and the Wiscasset Newspaper for coming in number two. Congrats to our reporters, Susan Johns and John Maguire and for shooter Bob Mitchell for winning individual honors.

No there was no cash award, no golden statue and no red carpet. Still it was a grand event and we are very proud of the efforts made by our staffers. 

Well done.