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Democrat wins 10 NYPA awards

Democrat staff
Posted 4/12/21

CALLICOON -- The New York Press Association (NYPA) announced its 2020 Better Newspaper Contest award winners in a virtual ceremony on Thursday and Friday.

By the end of the prestigious event, …

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Democrat wins 10 NYPA awards

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CALLICOON -- The New York Press Association (NYPA) announced its 2020 Better Newspaper Contest award winners in a virtual ceremony on Thursday and Friday.

By the end of the prestigious event, the Sullivan County Democrat made one of its strongest showings in its 130-year history by bringing home 10 NYPA Press Awards.

“The competition was incredibly stiff this year, especially since we were competing against some of the best daily newspapers in the state, including the Albany Times Union and Syracuse Post-Standard,” Democrat Publisher Fred Stabbert III said. “More than 150 newspapers competed in this year's contest in 64 separate categories, submitting 2,440 entries.”

The most coveted award was an Honorable Mention for General Excellence as the judges named the Democrat the fourth best newspaper in its class in New York State.

The judges said, “Special sections, including the massive graduation keepsake published in the July 3 edition and the Catskill-Delaware magazines published in the Feb. 28 and October 30 editions highlighted these entries.

“Good COVID-19 coverage in the July and October editions. Sullivan Life sections add to a strong overall sense of place. Front pages did a good job addressing key community issues, from COVID to broadband to Route 17 expansion.”

Stabbert said, “This award is really a tribute to our hard-working staff without whom none of these awards would be possible. Being named the fourth best newspaper in the state - behind three New York City newspapers - is really impressive.”

Advertising Awards

• Production Manager Petra Duffy took home first place honors for Best Small Place Ad.

The judges said, “The ad for Superior Building is a great example of just a clean-cut and appealing approach to ad design. The images match the content and catch the readers' attention, while the text outlines all the necessary info in an easy-to-read format. The layout here is perfectly balanced. Excellent work!”

• The Democrat also earned honorable mention in the Best House Ad Campaign competing in Division 2, the largest category in the state.

• Classified Manager Janet Will and Graphic Artist Katey Dnistrian won their first NYPA awards, taking home third place for classifieds advertising.

The judges said, “This newspaper presents a traditional classified section filled with useful ads for the readers.”

Special Section Awards

• The Callicoon-based twice weekly also captured third place in the Best Public Service or Non-Profit Section with its Women's Suffrage 100th Anniversary section done in cooperation with The Delaware Company.

The judges wrote, “Historical sections like this are fun to read and important for a media company to recognize and present to their community. This one was very well done!”

Stabbert said, “All the credit in the world goes to John and Debbie Conway of The Delaware Company for partnering with the Democrat to produce this award-winning edition. Their research and writing was impeccable.”

• Third place honors for Special Sections/Niche Publications-Glossy went to the Democrat's Trout edition.

The judges said, “Great magazine.”

• The Democrat also earned an honorable mention for its stand-alone Catskills Confidential magazine, which is published eight times per year. Editor Isabel Braverman and Graphic Designer Rosalie Mycka produce this magazine.

“Coming in fourth place behind Saratoga Springs, Scarsdale and Plattsburgh speaks volumes to what is happening in Sullivan County,” Stabbert said. “I am so proud that our staff is here to bring this information to our readers.”

The judges said, “Very informative and well put together.”

• The Democrat also picked up an honorable mention for its Catskill-Delaware magazine in the Special Sections/ Niche Publications category.

The Judges said, “Layouts toward the back were stronger and more engaging than the front.”

“Our staff - and especially Co-Editor Joseph Abraham, Advertising Director Liz Tucker and Assistant Advertising Director Barbara Matos - dedicate themselves to making all of our special sections award winners,” Stabbert said. “I am so happy their efforts, along with our entire staff's, were recognized.”

Editorial Awards

• Democrat Reporter/Photographer Patricio Robayo won second place in the Best News or Feature Series Division II category for his 10-part Coping with COVID-19 series. This is Robayo's second NYPA award, and third journalistic honor overall.

The judges wrote, “What fun. Thank you for these. A bit of inspiration by the week, from April to June. It's quite a series.”

• Democrat Co-Editor Matt Shortall took third place in the Spot News Photo Division II category for his coverage of last year's Memorial Day ceremonies.

The judges wrote, “The photographer turned his camera on the participants in a Memorial Day ceremony, giving readers of the Sullivan County Democrat a poignant look at the aging participants in a tribute to those who served and died in the Armed Forces.”

Stabbert said, The Demo­crat's true stock in trade is our ability to cover local people and events. Matt's and Patricio's awards are reflective of how much our staff cares about the community we serve.

“Given the extraordinary challenges our staff - and county - were presented last year, I am truly humbled and appreciative of our staff's hard work and dedication in bringing our readers one of the best newspapers in all of New York state,” Stabbert said. “Well done.”

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