Her Times is now an official award-winning publication.

Her Times Magazine was recently awarded third place in the Inland Press/Newspaper Special Sections Network's annual Great Idea Contest in the category of Family/Youth.

This is an annual contest in which newspapers submit their best special sections and new revenue ideas. Newspapers from across the U.S., as well as Canada and Mexico, take part in the contest which has three circulation divisions (so that newspapers compete with other newspapers of their size -- this prevents The Journal Times in Racine, WI from having to compete with the Dallas Morning News). There were 607 entries in this year's contest and Her Times Magazine was one of the winners.

I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't disappointed we didn't get first place. I wanted first. And, I think we deserved first. I have yet to see the competition, though. I'll have that opportunity in a few weeks when I travel to the Windy Cindy for the annual Special Sections Contest at which time representatives from hundreds of newspapers converge to share ideas and improve our current products.

It's always a great conference and I enjoy attending it (and it's not just because I enjoy three kid-free "me" days or because of the marvelous "magnificent mile" shopping...or even that great running trail along the Lake). I always come home with great ideas, a box full of sections from other newspapers, a bunch of new contacts and a renewed enthusiasm for my job.

The awards banquet is always held on the first night and I'll be there to pick up our award. The next two days I'll be picking up ideas.

And, next year, I plan on picking up gold.

You can see a complete list of winners here: http://www.inlandpress.org/Main.asp?SectionID=47&SubSectionID=184&ArticleID=1
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