One of the things that we strive to do here at U.P. Second Wave is to spread the word about what a great place the Upper Peninsula is. From the feature stories about people who make their communities better, to the stellar views of the Northern Lights in the night sky, to the news pieces about a new company or new jobs, this publication is dedicated to showcasing the people, places, companies and communities that make the U.P. a wonderful place to live, learn, play and work.
The Good News Awards--a program sponsored by religious leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist, Catholic and Episcopal churches--took a chance this year and decided to open up their awards to electronic media. There was no hesitation in the decision by those at this publication to enter. The results? Three Good News Awards and one Certificate of Merit for stories and a photo featured in U.P. Second Wave.
Contributing writer and award-winning columnist Deb Pascoe earned a Certificate of Merit for her feature story
Diamonds and Dreams: A Family Business, a look at Wattsson & Wattsson Jewelers in Marquette and how a family came together to continue their father's dream following his death.
Managing photographer Shawn Malone, who has numerous awards and honors to her name, earned a Good News Award for her piece "Music Lessons--Soo Theatre," which can be seen above and showcases the care a teacher has in giving piano lessons to a young student inside the revitalized Soo Theatre.
Managing editor Sam Eggleston earned a Good News Award for his news story on
President Barack Obama's visit to the Upper Peninsula and his stop at a local restaurant. Eggleston also took home a Good News Award for his column,
UPside of Life: Yoopers Embrace Challenge of Living in Rural Setting, a rebuttal to an Associated Press article that ran in the Detroit News about how the U.P. struggles to survive.
While the awards are nice to have hanging on the wall in the office or at home, the real prize is the affirmation from those in the Upper Peninsula who preach good news and goodwill that what is being published in U.P. Second Wave is exactly what it is meant to be--a small example of the great things that are happening here in this wonderful region we all call home.
Sam Eggleston is the managing editor of U.P. Second Wave. He was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula and believes there is a good story to be told around every corner in this region. He can be reached via email.
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