The Harpswell Anchor collected 29 honors in the Maine Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest this year, including first place in its division for News Story, Education Story, Environmental Story, Investigative Report, Political Story, and Courts Story, as well as a special Freedom of Information Award.
The Anchor’s haul in its third year of participation in the contest exceeds that from 2022 and 2023 put together.
“These results reflect the Anchor’s investment in enterprise journalism, through the hiring of a veteran journalist and our work with a growing roster of freelancers who bring an exceptional level of experience and skill to our publication,” said J.W. Oliver, editor of the Anchor.
“This investment is possible because of the community’s support,” Oliver said. “Because the Anchor is a nonprofit, funds from donations and advertising don’t go to a publisher or shareholders — they go directly to fulfill our mission, which is to promote civic engagement and serve the community with nonpartisan, trustworthy, in-depth news and information.”
Contest judges praised the Anchor for these qualities — going beyond the surface of local happenings to break down the impact on the community.
The judge for News Story deemed the Anchor’s entry — “Lack of affordable housing sparks fears about Harpswell’s future,” by J. Craig Anderson — the “clear winner.”
“This story tackles a tough, intractable subject with multiple perspectives,” the judge wrote. “They include the direct impact on people, the regional and statewide data, impacts on the young and the old, and steps under consideration to help out. Especially rewarding was a section devoted to possible solutions, instead of just raising the issue and walking away. … Very impressive news coverage; a real service to the readers.”
The Anchor, a monthly, competes in a division alongside weekly newspapers, such as the Mount Desert Islander, and online-only publications, such as the Penobscot Bay Pilot. News professionals from outside Maine judge the entries.
The awards were announced during the Maine Press Association’s annual conference in Bar Harbor on Oct. 19.
Established in 1864, the Maine Press Association works to protect the freedom of the press and the public’s right to know, and to promote and foster high ethical standards in journalism.
The full list of Anchor honors follows:
First Place, Analysis: “In a town of bedrock surrounded by salt water, groundwater is a precious — and vulnerable — resource,” John Gormley
First Place, Courts Story: “Lawsuit seeks to force sale of working waterfront site on Orr’s Island,” J. Craig Anderson
First Place, Education Story: “Educators seek to curb ‘troubling’ effects of student social media use,” J. Craig Anderson
First Place, Environmental Story: “10-year green crab study links warming waters with continuing growth,” John Gormley
First Place, Freedom of Information: “Maine courts shut off online records access over security concerns,” J. Craig Anderson
First Place, Illustration/Graphic: “A Way Out?” Eric Zelz
First Place, Investigative Report: “Unaffordable: Can Harpswell find a way out of its housing problem?” Staff
First Place, Local Ad: Midcoast Maine Plumbing LLC, Sam Allen
First Place, News Headline: “Harpswell fishing advocate battles winds of change,” J. Craig Anderson
First Place, News Story: “Lack of affordable housing sparks fears about Harpswell’s future,” J. Craig Anderson
First Place, Political Story: “Collins vows to help rebuild Harpswell waterfront during visit,” J. Craig Anderson
First Place, Religion/Spirituality Story: “On Bailey Island, there will always be a need for Willing Helpers,” Bisi Cameron Yee
First Place, Self-Promotion: “The 2023 Harpswell Anchor Annual Report,” Sam Allen, Janice Thompson, Eric Zelz
Second Place, Analysis: “Lack of affordable housing sparks fears about Harpswell’s future,” J. Craig Anderson
Second Place, Community Columnist: “Harpswell Naturalist,” Ed Robinson
Second Place, Coverage of Minority Community Issues: “Exhibit of Inuit photography centers Indigenous perspectives at new-look Arctic museum,” Kelli Park
Second Place, Editorial: “Editor’s Corner: Independence and transparency,” J.W. Oliver
Second Place, Environmental Story: “In a town of bedrock surrounded by salt water, groundwater is a precious — and vulnerable — resource,” John Gormley
Second Place, Food Story/Feature: “Sundrenched owners to set ‘a modern table’ at Bath restaurant,” Connie Sage Conner
Second Place, General Excellence – Digital, harpswellanchor.org, Sam Allen
Second Place, Health Story: “Educators seek to curb ‘troubling’ effects of student social media use,” J. Craig Anderson
Second Place, Illustration/Graphic: “House of Phones,” Eric Zelz
Second Place, News Photo: “Lookout Flooding,” Jessica Picard
Second Place, Outdoors Story: “‘The crew is 200 now’: Herb and Ruth Weiss, 104 and 97, return to Harpswell on new boat,” Connie Sage Conner
Third Place, Editorial Cartoonist: Eric Zelz
Third Place, Front Page Design: February 2024, Sam Allen
Third Place, General Excellence – Advertising
Third Place, Illustration/Graphic: Tide Chart, Sam Allen
Honorable Mention, General Excellence – Print
