Cape Gazette wins 26 awards in annual MDDC press contest
The Cape Gazette team collected 26 awards at the annual Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association luncheon May 9, including 14 first-place prizes and four Best in Show accolades.
This marks the first year the Cape Gazette is competing in Division B after the MDDC Press Association realigned its divisions based on total audience reach – including both print and online readers – as well as the number of full-time newsroom employees. The change moved the Cape Gazette from Division E, where it has competed for many years, into Division B alongside the Cumberland Times, The Capital, The Daily Record, The Frederick News-Post, The Herald-Mail and the Washington Business Journal.
"I am incredibly proud of our team for their hard work and dedication, which is reflected in the numerous awards won at this year's MDDC Press Association conference,” said owner and publisher Chris Rausch. “These honors are a testament to our commitment to providing the Cape Region with one of the finest local newspapers in the country, along with additional special publications and products that truly serve the needs of our residents and visitors alike."
Production designer Abby Workman won eight awards and finished as a runner-up in the Designer of the Year category. She won first place for online-only ad design, advertising-driven special publication, news page design, Page 1 design, news-driven informational graphics and feature page design. She also won second place for best retail ad - large print, and restaurant/entertainment ad - large print. Workman won three Best in Show awards for her advertising design submissions.
Reporter Chris Flood collected seven awards. Flood won first place for local column. He also won second place for public service reporting, arts & entertainment reporting, best use of interactive media, environmental reporting, continuing coverage and state government reporting.
Reporter Ron MacArthur earned three awards. He took first place for public service reporting, local column and best photo gallery.
Reporter Bill Shull won first place for continuing coverage and best headline (Bike lane brew-ha-ha in Lewes).
Production designer Mallery Galaska earned first place for restaurant/entertainment ad - large print, and a second-place award for business (non-retail) ad - large print. She also claimed a Best in Show award for her restaurant/entertainment ad - large print submission.
Freelance photographer Eric Reiske took first place for best feature photo, while second-place awards went to News Editor Nick Roth for best editorial, reporter Kevin Conlon for local government reporting and photographer Dan Cook for best photo gallery.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
