An award with thanks and pride
We will admit that it was a proud and emotional moment Saturday night when the Lovell Chronicle and our sister newspaper, the Greybull Standard, were announced as the top medium sized and small weekly newspapers in the state of Wyoming at the annual winter convention of the Wyoming Press Association in Cheyenne.
We certainly don’t publish a newspaper for the awards. Our satisfaction comes from doing the very best job we can covering the myriad happenings in our communities and hearing from our readers when they like something we’ve printed. But when our peers judged our papers as the best newspapers in Division B and C, two of the three contest categories based on total circulation, it was a proud moment.
This is the fifth time in the last 12 years that the Chronicle has been judged the best newspaper in a certain category, four years in the small weekly division and now in the medium weekly category under newly revised contest divisions.
There are no longer any true daily newspapers in Wyoming, so the WPA has reorganized the contest into three divisions, and the Chronicle fell into the medium division along with papers from Laramie, Afton, Evanston, Green River, Lander, Sundance, Thermopolis, Torrington, Worland, Pine Bluffs and Newcastle.
It’s kind of like Lovell High School playing in Class 3A for most sports.
What makes this honor special in this editor’s mind is that the award comes during a time of extreme staffing difficulties for our paper. We have been shorthanded for nearly a year now as we have struggled to find help like many businesses. This has resulted in long hours most weeks putting together the product you read each week. It’s taxing and stressful.
A huge thank you to Patti Carpenter for coming out of retirement to report and write for the Chronicle, doing so for about 10 months now. She is a pro’s pro, and her love of this community and this newspaper shines forth in her writing every week.
Likewise, Marwyn Layne has shaken off the cobwebs to resume her former role as advertising manager during our time of need, doing so with grace and goodwill, despite some physical ailments. Both Patti and Marwyn are prime examples of the big-hearted nature of people in North Big Horn County.
Of course, all members of our staff work hard, as well, to publish our paper each week and create a quality product. Their care and attention to detail make our paper what it is, and the process is a true labor of love for our talented and truly dedicated staff.
Many others add to the product weekly, as well, from student reporters to contributing writers and stringers. Thank you to all.
And finally, you, our readers, play a huge role in the success of this newspaper, and we truly could not do it without you. You give us tips and advice, and you support the advertisers who make our paper financially viable. We have always said that this is your newspaper, and this top newspaper award is a reflection of our community. We’re glad you enjoy it.
Putting out a newspaper is a daily grind, but this week we find our step a little lighter, our work a bit more satisfying. Thank you to each and every person who makes it all possible.