Former Senior Sports Writer Lou Reuter won a first place photography award for this photograph of a rugby game in Saranac Lake last year. (Enterprise photo— Lou Reuter)

SARANAC LAKE — The Adirondack Daily Enterprise received four honors at the New York Press Association’s 2021 Better Newspaper Contest, which were announced during the spring conference last weekend, April 29-30, in Saratoga Springs.

The Lake Placid News, sister newspaper of the Enterprise, received three honors.

The awards are listed below with judges’ comments.

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Enterprise

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Lou Reuter, former senior sports writer, received first place in the Sports Action Photo category for a photo of rugby players during the Can-Am Rugby Tournament in Saranac Lake. Comments: “This photo shows the intensity of rugby as a sport, as well as the determination of the players. There are so many visual expressions in this, it makes the photo really enjoyable.”

Aaron Cerbone, staff writer, received second place for a Sports Action Photo of a skateboarder in Saranac Lake. Comments: “I absolutely love the placement of the board almost directly in the middle of the skater’s frame. Using the sky as the background also gives one the feeling he is truly airborne.”

Managing Editor Elizabeth Izzo, former News Editor Steve Miller and Cerbone received third place for Headline Writing. Comments: “Great use of book and music (and food) references. Clever without being belabored.”

Cerbone also received an honorable mention for Spot News Coverage for a breaking news story about fire departments and residents cleaning up after a wind storm in July. Comments: “Good basic spot reporting in a timely manner. Very good representation and quotes from parties involved.”

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Lake Placid News

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Andy Flynn, the LPN editor, received second place for Editorials in its division. Editorials submitted for this contest were titled “Don’t forget the great hockey we saw during the NWHL’s failed bubble,” “Opting out of marijuana sales would be a wasted opportunity” and “Starting a new era or finishing strong? Ironman triathlon forces soul searching for Lake Placid community.” Comments: “Three great editorials on subjects that affect readers. The editorial on the Ironman competition was well-balanced and insightful. Opting out of marijuana sales revenue was firm and included sound reasoning. Good job!”

Flynn received third place for Best Podcast (one division statewide) for his “We are Lake Placid” episode featuring an interview with Matt Smith, the director of North Country School, who spoke about Lamb Watch. The school, outside of Lake Placid, has a working farm with barn animals, and ninth graders spend nights in the barn this time of year watching over the pregnant ewes in case they show signs of giving birth. Comments: “Wow, what an interesting interview. Loved the music. Great job!” Music for the podcast was provided by singer/songwriter Dan Berggren, of Ballston Spa.

Flynn also received an honorable mention in the Feature Story category in the newspaper’s division for a story he wrote titled “Uncle Joe’s feet are finally at rest.” It was written about his uncle, Joe Rondeau, an avid hiker from Long Island who enjoyed his time in the Adirondacks and had recently died of cancer. Comments: “An intriguing story that we can ALL relate to. I couldn’t stop reading — and I LOVED the feet photo! There were just so many entries in this really tough category, but great job!”