MT recognized by NCPA
From left, Mountain Times editor Frank Ruggiero, Avery Journal-Times staff writer Matthew Hundley, Blowing Rocket editor Jeff Eason, Avery Journal-Times editor Sam Calhoun and Avery Journal-Times sports editor Jamie Shell attend the NCPA Winter Institute March 8.
Mountain Times Publications staff left the mountain for the
hill Thursday, March 1, for the N.C. Press Association’s 2011 News, Editorial & Photojournalism
Awards in Chapel Hill.
The NCPA presented two awards to The Mountain Times in the
“Communities Over 10,000 (circulation)” division.
Editor Frank Ruggiero took second place in
Arts & Entertainment Reporting for his story, “The Ballad of Tom Dooley,” while he, layout
artist Rob Moore and staff took third place for “Best Niche Publication” for the 2011 Summer
Times.
“Serving our community is the foundation of what we do, and being recognized by our
peers is high praise for any publication,” said Tom Mayer, Mountain Times Publications executive
editor. “The awards our Mountain Times staff have earned from the N.C. Press Association were borne
in the spirit of information and accountability — in a continuing legacy of service to our
readers.”
Mountain Times Publications publisher Gene Fowler agrees.
“Now more than ever
the independent voice of a free press is needed to filter the static that comes from unreliable
sources,” Fowler said. “These accomplishments, as recognized by the N.C. Press Association, by our
staff are affirmation that our news team has exhibited a commitment to excellence in news gathering
and reporting.”
The Mountain Times was also recognized in the NCPA Best Ad Contest,
receiving four first-place awards, four second-place awards and three third-place awards, with the
honors going to creative services director Jennifer Canosa, graphic artist Meleah Petty, marketing
consultant Rex Goss, marketing consultant Mark Mitchell, All About Women editor Sherrie Norris and
executive editor Tom Mayer.
