The Bashaw Star landed itself in an award-winning position.
I can’t remember the last time that the Bashaw Star earned itself a newspaper award. Most likely it was some years ago.
Our newspaper won third place in the Best Sports Page category for community newspapers with a press run of under 1,100 at the recent Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association awards. While it may not seem like much, it says to me we’re heading in the right direction.
This award is received with some gratitude. I can check that award off of the list of things I’d like to see happen with this humble, yet proud newspaper.
Our win is thanks, in no small part, to our dedicated Bashaw reporter, Jordie Dwyer, who works closely with residents. It’s that dedication that tells me we’re going to do well as the months move along with Dwyer helping us get there.
Along with working closely with the community, the newspaper has seen a welcome change to our press deadline, from Thursday afternoon to Monday morning. This means we’ll be able to get timely information into our pages. On top of that, we’re online and on social media and we show no signs of slowing down.
The information landscape has changed but it’s community newspapers that play an important role in bringing stories to life. How we get the information out is changing but the stories will keep coming.
The real thanks, however, goes to our dedicated readers and involved community members. If it wasn’t for you, none of this would happen.
There’s so many folks who have been able to provide us with photos when we can’t make it, or added comment when something is important. It allows us to have a positive relationship that ensures Bashaw’s story gets written in the pages of history; with apologies to the real poets out there.
This award is a positive first step and it shows that with some forethought, dedication and community outreach, we can put this little town on the map. We’re still working with the presenters on how to pronounce the name of the town; but that’s just another incentive to get more awards.
With that, we thank you.
The Bashaw Star newsroom seeks to improve on its stories and readership and we invite you to join us. Here’s to another year of community stories.