Chronicle wins 10 SDNA awards

Writing, photography and advertising were among the categories the Custer County Chronicle was honored for at the most recent gathering of the South Dakota NewsMedia Association (SDNA).
The Custer County Chronicle received 10 awards last Friday, April 26, as part of the Better News Media contest, one event at the 141st annual SDNA convention. The Chronicle was entered in the category for all weekly newspapers with a circulation over 1,300.
Among the first place awards was Down Country Roads Magazine, the bi-monthly magazine the staff of both the Custer County Chronicle and Hill City Prevailer work to produce together. The magazine is composed by former Chronicle graphic artist Deb McLain, who now lives in Sheridan, Wyo., and puts the magazine together remotely.
“Excellent layout and design. Great ads, photography and editorial content throughout,” the judges said. “This is a very good publication. Nice job!”
The entries for the 2023 SDNA Better News Media Contest were judged by members of the Wyoming Press Association.
Graphic designer Jay Gismondi received a first place award for best use of local photography in an ad for a full page ad promoting the Burning Beetle event.
“Great use of color photos and very nice flow to the ad,” the judge wrote. “As soon as I opened this entry I wanted to read up and learn more about the 10th annual burning beetle!”
Gismondi also received a second-place award for best publication promotion for his depiction showing Poker Alice reading the newspaper and suggesting to subscribe.
“The language used was entertaining and it really made me want to continue on to see what else was said,” the judge wrote.
Chronicle general manager Jason Ferguson won three first-place awards, including in the category for best editorial writing.
“These editorials highlighted local issues that are likely important to readers,” the judge wrote. “They not only explained the issues to the readers but offered ideas and solutions.”
Ferguson received a second first-place award for opinion writing when he was honored for his “Wednesday Morning Quarterback” column in the Best Local Column category.
“Honest and heartfelt,” the judge wrote of the columns.
Ferguson’s third first-place award came for best feature photo, a photo he took of children riding a roller coaster during Gold Discovery Days.
“This is what a feature is all about. It’s just normal daily life stuff,” the judge wrote. “Well composed and featuring strong emotion and faces the audience can relate to. Great job.”
Ferguson also received a second-place award in the award for spot news writing, a story on a slap of an individual at a political crackerbarrel.
“Good incident report with nice access to those involved,” the judge wrote.
Finally, Ferguson received a third-place award for best headline writing.
The Chronicle’s newest columnist, Laura Lindblom, received a second-place award for local column for her “Ranch Wife Musings” column.
“Nice comments about being grateful for the struggle,” the judge wrote.
Between the Chronicle and sister paper Hill City Prevailer News, Southern Hills Publishing took home four of a possible six awards for local column-writing in weekly newspapers.
The Chronicle picked up a third place award for its website, myblackhillscountry.com, in the best publication website category.
“Clean, organized. I like how you incorporated the advertising without it impacting the editorial,” the judge wrote. “I like the boxes with lists on the right of other stories.”
A complete list of contest results is available at sdna.com.