in APA Better Newspaper Contest

By AMY S. LANSDON

News Editor

The Messenger was recently won 14 awards in the 2001 Alabama Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.

Seventy-one Alabama newspapers submitted 2,423 entries in the editorial division of the contest and 34 newspapers submitted 750 entries in the advertising division. The entries were judged by the Tennessee Press Association.

Each year The Messenger participates in this contest, which includes categories pertaining to public service, freedom of information, most improved, layout and design, news, sports, features and advertising.

"It’s great to recognized by your peers, and I am proud of the excellent work being produced by The Messenger staff," said Rick Reynolds, publisher. "Still, we recognize our real rewards comes from the service we are able to provide to our readers and our advertisers. These awards reaffirm our efforts and commitment to continue to provide Pike County and its communities of Troy, Brundidge, Banks and Goshen the best community newspaper possible."

The Messenger won six awards in the editorial division of the contest.

In the FOI-Freedom of Information category, The Messenger placed third for "fighting to end the Pike County Commission’s practice of voting by secret ballot" (Brian Blackley and Beth Lakey); placed third in the Best Spot News Category for "Troy recycling burns"

(Beth Lakey); placed second in the Best Feature Story category for "Depression: Isolated from the world" (Jaine Treadwell) and third in the Best Feature Story category for "Spending Father’s Day locked up" (Jaine Treadwell); placed first in the Best Humorous or Human Interest Column for "Aw! Florida, come on. Have a Hart!" (Jaine Treadwell); and placed third in the Best Sports News In-Depth Story or Series for "What does it take to be an all-star?" (Steven Watson).

In the advertising division of the contest, the Messenger won eight awards.

In the Best Single Ad under 1/2 page black and white category, The Messenger placed first for Hendricks Homecenter ad "Water Gardens Seminar" (Leigh Anne Hudson); placed first in the Best Single Ad under 1/2 page color category for Gazebo ad "Get Your Kiss" Valentines ad (Sandy Boutwell); placed first in the Best Use of Humor category for comics page ad "Things Are Changin’ in Toon Town" (Deonne Maxcy); placed first in the Best One-Time Special Section category for "Walnut Creek – Lake

or Mistake?";

placed second in the Best Single Ad over 1/2 page black and white category for

2000 Football Ad "The Home Teams Go World Wide" (Deedie Carter); placed second in the Best Creative Use of Color category for Douglas Brothers Profile ad (Deedie Carter); placed third in the Best Single Ad over 1/2 page color category for wrapper promoting Troy State University football "History in the Making" (Deedie Carter); and placed third in the Best Original Creative Idea category for First National Bank " Do It In Your Pajamas – f-n-b.com" (Sandy Boutwell).