Karen Valihora took first place of 20 entries in Arts and Entertainment writing for a feature story on the inaugural County Adaptation Film Festival, “Arts of Adaptation.” The judge praised “the thoughtful context” offered to readers.

“Instead of simply presenting a synopsis of the event, she honours the festival’s curators by exploring what binds the various films together. It’s a helpful primer for the audience, many of whom would have been prompted to watch some of the films because of her story.”  

An extra “bravo” went to the Gazette’s graphic designer, Natalie Piper, for the creative page design.

Another first went to Jason Parks’s live action reporting, “Catastrophic Fire on the Adolphus Reach,” which won for Best Spot News Photo, a shot of firefighters confronting a rapidly spreading house fire on Treasure Cove Lane. The judge called this “impactful, jumping off the page at the reader.” Jason’s fire coverage also won second place for a new awards category, Best Online Journalism, for getting the story out minute by minute and image by image on the Picton Gazette Facebook page. That was back when we were allowed to have a Facebook page. 

Chris Fanning won third place in the Environment category, for his editorial “Without a Plan.” The essay explored the Ontario Government’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy generation. In the words of the judge, “Each time I read this editorial I found more to like about it. The writer seems to really know the subject and his points are made with an authentic voice of conviction.”

Finally Karen won an honourable mention for Best Investigative News Story for the editorial “No License Required,” which explores Picton Terminals’ alleged operation of an unlicensed rock quarry under cover of developing a shipping port on Picton Bay. The judge noted the story might otherwise have “slipped under the radar,” noting the essay took a “mundane topic” — legislative loopholes — to show how the Terminals might have earned $60 million in illegal profit. That case is currently before the courts. 

The Gazette team is grateful for this recognition. “It’s nice to have readers from across Ontario confirming the work we’re doing here in Prince Edward County,” said Mr. Fanning. 

“We have a great team that works week-in, week-out on the paper,” said Ms. Valihora. “I’m so grateful to them for their dedication and integrity.

“Never mind we have this endlessly fascinating community to write about, and readers who are really engaged. It’s at once inspiring and sustaining.” 

Mr. Parks, now in his 20th year at the paper, said, “to have the Picton Gazette still going strong after 195 years is the accomplishment of generations, and a responsibility to the future. We think about that every issue.”