All your award are belong to us

This week I received the guidelines for the Annual Vermont Press Association Awards — for 2004. Finally! I've been pestering my editors for weeks, wondering if they'd gotten the word yet. And I've been checking the VPA website, but, uh, they don't really have a website. Am I the only person here who's keen on contests?

So I got the guidelines, which provide a glimpse into what matters most to the media minds of Vermont. The categories, most of which are separated into divisions for dailies and non-dailies, include: arts criticism, statehouse reporting, best local story, best state story, feature writing, photography awards, sportswriting, headline writing, editorial writing, a rookie reporter awards, and a general excellence award.

Wait, you say, what about an award for best website, or most interactive website, or best use of new media technologies?  "Next year," says Vermont Guardian  editor Shay Totten, who's on the VPA board.

Ok, so I know the VPA is really small, and basically run by a small group of people, but c'mon folks. This is a state-wide organization. We can do better. Can't we?

The deadline for the VPA awards is July 15; winners will be announced at the VPA meeting in September. I'm open to suggestions about which stories 7D should enter. If anyone even remembers stories that appeared up to a year and a half ago.

And speaking of contests...