Times take five awards in press competition

Ed Pryor stopped by The Times office to pick up his award.

GRANBURY - The Clarksville Times received five awards Saturday in the 2018 North and East Texas Press Association (NETPA) Better Newspaper Contest.

Times Owners Lou and Patricia Antonelli attended the NETPA annual convention at the Hilton Garden Inn on Lake Granbury April 6-7.

In the annual Better Newspaper Contest, The Times took First Place for Column Writing and First Place for News Photo. The judges also awarded The Times Third Place for General Excellence.

This year's contest was judged by members of the Panhandle Press Association.

Lou Antonelli’s entries in the Column Writing competition were “The great unanswered question”, published Oct. 17, 2017, and “Money, money, who’s got the money”, published March 30, 2017.

Of “The great unanswered question” – where Antonelli lambasted the Red River County Hospital Authority – the judges wrote: “Wow! Fantastic research and pointed column writing. Great job!”

Of “Money, money, who’s got the money?” – where he discussed why economic development is hindered in Clarksville because no one will admit to having any money – the judges said “Good insight on a familiar topic for all small towns. Great call at the end to be more positive.”

The Times was the only weekly newspaper to win twice in the same category. Ed Pryor received Honorable Mention (4th Place) also for Column Writing.

His two entries were “Sudden surgery while on the hunt”, published Sept. 28, 2017, and “The Frankenstein Monster of Red River County,” published Aug. 17, 2017.

“Sudden Surgery” tells of an escapade with Ed and friends while rabbit hunting that resulted in an errant shot castrating their hunting dog Old Ranger.

“Frankenstein Monster” tells of when Ed and some friends stole a manikin of the Frankenstein monster from in front of the Avalon theater.

Of “Sudden surgery”, the judges wrote “Good story telling and lead.” Of “Frankenstein Monster”, they wrote “Vivid story, very enjoyable.”

The top prize for News Photo went to the photos on the front page of the May 18, 2017, issue that showed when a bulldozer fell into a hole while demolishing the remains of a department store at the corner of Main and Walnut Streets downtown.

The judges wrote “These photos were very timely and good. Way to be on the scene!”

On the basis of points received for awards ("The Sweepstakes"), The Times finished sixth overall among all weeklies.