20 AWARDS EARNED IN 2023

Papers recognized for quality photos, news articles, ads, and design

Attending the Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest award banquet on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 were freelancer Eric Erickson, owner and editor Tesha M. Christensen, and photographer Terry Faust. The trio holds the 20 awards earned by the three newspapers of TMC Publications CO.

Monitor freelancer Eric Erickson accepts an award from the Minnesota Newspaper Association on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. He earned First Place, Sports Story for “Unforgettable dream come true,” Midway Como Frogtown Monitor, October 2021. Judge’s comment: Great use of photographs put this entry in first place. Great writing and what a day for those athletes! It is like we were there!

TMC Publications CO photographer Terry Faust accepts a first place award during the Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. First Place, Photography Portrait and Personality - Terry Faust, “Affordable housing architect,” Southwest Connector, March 3, 2022. Judge’s comment: Good composition, fill flash, and posing of the subject, each of which is a skill of its own.

TMC Publications CO owner Tesha M. Christensen stands with the stack of awards the group's three newspapers (Southwest Connector, Longfellow Nokomis Messenger and Midway Como Frogtown Monitor) earned in this year's Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. Plaques are given for first place and certificates for second and third. The papers won 20 total awards – of which nine were first place.

Although she was unable to accept the award in person, writer and photographer Jill Boogren earned a first place in investigative reporting in the Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. “Did city mislead, downplay public input on 38th and Chicago survey?” Southwest Connector, Dec. 2, 2021 (also ran in the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger). Judge’s comment: The information from the survey was very enlightening on this issue. Comments from the postcards didn’t match public officials’ comments. Information was displayed attractively which helped with understanding the content.

First Place, Sports Story - Eric Erickson, “Unforgettable dream come true,” Midway Como Frogtown Monitor, October 2021. Judge’s comment: Great use of photographs put this entry in first place. Great writing and what a day for those athletes! It is like we were there!

First Place, Hard News - Tesha M. Christensen, “A new Dale Street bridge,” Midway Como Frogtown Monitor, September 2021

Second Place, Institutional Advertisement - Denis Woulfe and Tesha M. Christensen, “Elmhurst Cemetery,” Midway Como Frogtown Monitor.

Third Place, Photography Feature Photo - Tesha M. Christensen, “Blindfolded clay throw down,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger, September 2022. Judge’s comment: Liked the composition of the photo and the story line. Good composition with great lines of focus down the potters’ line.

Third Place, Hard News - Tesha M. Christensen, “Should 3rd Precinct stay in Longfellow?” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger, June 2022.

Second Place, Use of Information Graphics and Graphic Illustrations - Tesha M. Christensen, “Lake Street 2 years later,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger, July 2022. Judge’s comment: Nice pictures

Third Place, Best Advertisement - Tesha M. Christensen, “Longfellow Business Association,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger.

Second Place, Use of Color in Advertising - Sandra Mikulsky and Tesha M. Christensen, “United Noodles,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger. Judge’s comment: You did a good job pulling the red and green from the photo into the words - it ties it together.

First Place, Advertising Campaign - Tesha M. Christensen, “Henry W. Anderson Mortuary,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger

Third Place, Typography and Design - Andoni Aldasoro and Tesha M. Christensen, Southwest Connector. Judge’s comment: Good design. A great entry in a crowded field.

First Place, Photography Portrait and Personality - Terry Faust, “Affordable housing architect,” Southwest Connector, March 3, 2022. Judge’s comment: Good composition, fill flash, and posing of the subject, each of which is a skill of its own.

First Place, Photography News Photo - Tesha M. Christensen, “Art on the Edge,” Southwest Connector, Aug. 4, 2022.

First Place, Investigative Journalism - Jill Boogren, “Did city mislead, downplay public input on 38th and Chicago survey?” Southwest Connector, Dec. 2, 2021 (also ran in the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger). Judge’s comment: The information from the survey was very enlightening on this issue. Comments from the postcards didn’t match public officials’ comments. Information was displayed attractively which helped with understanding the content.

First Place, Institutional Advertisement - Sandra Mikulsky and Tesha M. Christensen, “Yinghua Academy,” Southwest Connector.

Third Place, Self-promotion or House Ad - Tesha M. Christensen, “Looking for carriers,” Southwest Connector.

First Place, Use of Color in Advertising - Sandra Mikulsky and Tesha M. Christensen, “Roadrunner Records,” Southwest Connector. Judge’s comment: I like the orange for an ad for a record company. It harkens back to a time when harvest golds and earthy shades were all the rage but the shade you choose doesn’t scream 70s.

Third Place, Use of Color in Advertising - Denis Woulfe and Tesha M. Christensen, “Fun City Dogs,” Southwest Connector. Judge’s comment: There was just the right amount of different colors to tie everything together and draw the eye, without overdoing it.

First Place, Use of Color in Advertising - Sandra Mikulsky and Tesha M. Christensen, “Roadrunner Records,” Southwest Connector. Judge’s comment: I like the orange for an ad for a record company. It harkens back to a time when harvest golds and earthy shades were all the rage but the shade you choose doesn’t scream 70s. | Third Place, Use of Color in Advertising - Denis Woulfe and Tesha M. Christensen, “Fun City Dogs,” Southwest Connector. Judge’s comment: There was just the right amount of different colors to tie everything together and draw the eye, without overdoing it.

Posted Wednesday, February 8, 2023 10:16 pm

BREAKDOWN BY PLACE:

1st place awards: 9

2nd place awards: 5

3rd place awards: 6

BREAKDOWN BY PAPER:

Southwest Connector (only 1 year old!): 9

Longfellow Nokomis Messenger (40th anniversary year): 8

Midway Como Frogtown Monitor: 3

TMC Publication's three newspapers earned a total of 20 awards at this year's Better Newspaper Contest through the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Congrats to the winners!
NEWS
1) First Place, Sports Story - Eric Erickson, “Unforgettable dream come true,” Midway Como Frogtown Monitor, October 2021. Judge’s comment: Great use of photographs put this entry in first place. Great writing and what a day for those athletes! It is like we were there!
2) First Place, Investigative Journalism - Jill Boogren, “Did city mislead, downplay public input on 38th and Chicago survey?” Southwest Connector, Dec. 2, 2021 (also ran in the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger). Judge’s comment: The information from the survey was very enlightening on this issue. Comments from the postcards didn’t match public officials’ comments. Information was displayed attractively which helped with understanding the content.
3) First Place, Hard News - Tesha M. Christensen, “A new Dale Street bridge,” Midway Como Frogtown Monitor, September 2021
4) Second Place, Hard News - Tesha M. Christensen, “It’s Cheatham Avenue now,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger
5) Third Place, Hard News - Tesha M. Christensen, “Should 3rd Precinct stay in Longfellow?” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger
PHOTOS
6) First Place, Photography Portrait and Personality - Terry Faust, “Affordable housing architect,” Southwest Connector, March 3, 2022. Judge’s comment: Good composition, fill flash, and posing of the subject, each of which is a skill of its own.
7) First Place, Photography News Photo - Tesha M. Christensen, “Art on the Edge,” Southwest Connector, Aug. 4, 2022.
8) Third Place, Photography Feature Photo - Tesha M. Christensen, “Blindfolded clay throw down,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger, September 2022. Judge’s comment: Liked the composition of the photo and the story line. Good composition with great lines of focus down the potters’ line.
INFOGRAPHIC
9) Second Place, Use of Information Graphics and Graphic Illustrations - Tesha M. Christensen, “Lake Street 2 years later,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger, July 2022. Judge’s comment: Nice pictures
DESIGN
10) Third Place, Typography and Design - Andoni Aldasoro and Tesha M. Christensen, Southwest Connector. Judge’s comment: Good design. A great entry in a crowded field.
ADS
11) First Place, Advertising Campaign - Tesha M. Christensen, “Henry W. Anderson Mortuary,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger
12) First Place, Use of Color in Advertising - Sandra Mikulsky and Tesha M. Christensen, “Roadrunner Records,” Southwest Connector. Judge’s comment: I like the orange for an ad for a record company. It harkens back to a time when harvest golds and earthy shades were all the rage but the shade you choose doesn’t scream 70s.
13) First Place, Best Advertisement - Sandra Mikulsky and Tesha M. Christensen, “Village Shores,” Southwest Connector. Judge’s comment: Winner has the best balance, use of white space, accurate photo (doesn’t look like stock image, even if it is) and large text to grab the eye.
14) First Place, Institutional Advertisement - Sandra Mikulsky and Tesha M. Christensen, “Yinghua Academy,” Southwest Connector.
15) Second Place, Use of Color in Advertising - Sandra Mikulsky and Tesha M. Christensen, “United Noodles,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger. Judge’s comment: You did a good job pulling the red and green from the photo into the words - it ties it together.
16) Second Place, Best Advertisement - Sandra Mikulsky and Tesha M. Christensen, “ReUse Center,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger.
17) Second Place, Institutional Advertisement - Denis Woulfe and Tesha M. Christensen, “Elmhurst Cemetery,” Midway Como Frogtown Monitor.
18) Third Place, Use of Color in Advertising - Denis Woulfe and Tesha M. Christensen, “Fun City Dogs,” Southwest Connector. Judge’s comment: There was just the right amount of different colors to tie everything together and draw the eye, without overdoing it.
19) Third Place, Best Advertisement - Tesha M. Christensen, “Longfellow Business Association,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger.
20) Third Place, Self-promotion or House Ad - Tesha M. Christensen, “Looking for carriers,” Southwest Connector.