Over the weekend, along with celebrating my birthday on the 28th, I also had the opportunity to celebrate good journalism with my friends at the Missouri Press Association’s annual banquet and Better Newspaper Contest awards luncheon. The Jackson County Advocate brought home some accolades, too.

Two first-place plaques will be hanging on the wall in our office soon, one for best story about religion (for the feature on Flourish Furnishings) and one for best story about history (for the piece on the forgotten cemetery in South Kansas City). We also received second, third and honorable mention awards for: best coverage of government (I took second and honorable mention in this category); best story about rural life or agriculture (feature on the Terrace Lake community garden); best sports feature story; best business story; and best sports news story or package.

Of course, we don’t do what we do for the awards. But, being recognized for a job well done is always nice, and is very much appreciated. I look forward to celebrating more journalism next week, as it is National Newspaper Week. I love what I do. I love being able to tell the stories of the community; your stories. I love getting to know the people and places in my hometown, and I love uncovering the nitty gritty when necessary, too.

It’s not about the awards. It’s about telling the story of us. And that’s what matters most. So, celebrate with me this week. Cheers to a newspaper that remains an award-winning hometown news source since 1953. Cheers to the Turnbaugh family, who I hope are still proud of their little family business. And, finally, cheers to each of you, who continue to support local journalism simply by subscribing or picking up a copy of this paper week after week. We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you.