The Rappahannock Record’s golden anniversary supplement, Celebrating 100 Years of Community News, earned a second-place in the 2016 Virginia Press Association contest for news and advertising excellence throughout the state.
The entire Record staff and former staff members contributed to the 24-page Special Sections winner. Judges said, “Good ideas executed well. Brings past and present together. A eulogy for newspapers?” The special commemorative section appeared in the October 6, 2016, Rappahannock Record. The multi-month project was spearheaded by publisher Frederick A. Gaskins.
Advertising manager Sara Amiss and staff won nine awards overall, including three firsts. Amiss and graphic artist Stephanie Feria placed first with an ad for Attitude Boutique in the Fashion & Personal Care division. Judges said, “Cute overall design.”
Amiss and staff also placed first in Real Estate with an ad for The James Company.
Advertising representative Marilyn Bryant, Feria and graphic artist Mike Antonio placed first in Multiple Advertisers & Themed Pages with a Keep Christmas Close to Home entry.
Amiss and Feria also placed second in Fashion & Personal Care with an ad for Ross’s Rings & Things; second in Home & Garden with an ad for Cathi’s Gardens; third for Member Self-Promotion with an ad for Senior Living; and third in Education & Churches with an ad for Etudes Ballet School. Amiss and staff won third-place honors in Lifestyles for Docks of the Bay.
Amiss and Feria also teamed up to win second in Fashion & Personal Care for a Ross’s ad appearing in the Rivah Visitor’s Guide.
Record news and sports reporter Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi placed first in Column Writing with her Everybody has a Story column which appears periodically. Judges said, “Stories are about people and these pieces do much to capture particular important moments. These are well-crafted without being over the top. Reading them was a pleasure.”
She placed third in Health, Science & Environmental Writing. She also won third in Personal Service Writing for stories appearing in the Rivah.
Reporter Audrey Thomasson placed second in Business & Financial Writing; second in Personal Service Writing; and third in Government Writing.
The Southside Sentinel in Urbanna placed second in the advertising Special Sections division with Windows on the Bay, published jointly with the Rappahannock Record.
Sentinel advertising manager Wendy Burch and graphic artist Joe Gaskins placed second in Member Self-Promotion with Look for the Rivah Visitor’s Guide.
Sentinel reporter Tom Chillemi placed third in Breaking News Photography; third in Feature Story Writing; and third with Joe Gaskins in Photo-Illustration.
The Record and the Sentinel competed against similar size papers throughout Virginia. The Rivah competed against other specialty publications of varying sizes through the state. The awards were presented during the annual VPA convention April 8 at the Hilton Short Pump Hotel in Richmond.
