Week in and week out, we tell your stories in words and pictures. Once a year, we gather with our colleagues in the New York Press Association to talk about our art and craft, to learn how to be better at what we do.

We also hear the results of a contest that this year garnered 3,081 entries, judged by our peers in Iowa. The Altamont Enterprise was once again in the top 10 newspapers across the state for editorial content. Judged against papers of a similar circulation — we are in the second division of typically three divisions — we won first place for our editorials (written by Melissa Hale-Spencer) and for best news story (Anne Hayden Harwood and Hale-Spencer); second place for columns (Jo E. Prout), editorial cartoon (Carol Coogan), and in-depth news (Hayden Harwood and Hale-Spencer).

In categories that included newspapers of all sizes, we won a second place (Marcello Iaia) and honorable mention (Michael Koff) for Photographer of the Year, second place for obituary writing, third place and honorable mention for community leadership, third place for our website, and third place for health coverage.

Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Ted Jackson addressed the crowd at the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs on the importance of caring about the people we portray. His words rang true for us. “I shouldn’t be someone who just drops in and steals the moment,” he said.

Jackson showed a series of pictures he took in the midst and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He and other staffers at The Times-Picayune were on the scene, publishing online, in the midst of the crisis. “Be ready to improvise,” he told the journalists. “That’s what we did to survive as a newspaper….People trusted us to give them the facts. Nobody knew New Orleans like we did.”

We, in turn, believe nobody knows our community — Guilderland, New Scotland, and the Hilltowns — like we do. We’re grateful that Jim and Wanda Gardner have spent the better part of a century backing a newspaper dedicated to reporting on local news. We’re also grateful that we have a capable staff — including our graphic designers (Christine Ekstrom and George Plante), ad saleswomen (Manager Cherie Lussier and rep Bry Murray), and delivery crew (headed by Ellen Schreibstein) — that get our words and pictures to you.

One of Jackson’s most gripping Katrina pictures showed the grief-stricken face of a black man, Robert Green Sr., with a tear running down his cheek. His house had broken loose from its foundation and washed down the street with his mother and grandchildren seeking refuge on its roof. He heard a splash as one of his grandchildren fell into the water. “I had to decide whether to save her or save the others,” Green said. He prayed and put her death out of his mind. Jackson took his picture as Green recounted his story. His granddaughter and mother died.

Two years later, Jackson returned and took another picture of Green, looking triumphant. He stood atop cement steps — all that remained of his house — and wore the American flag that had topped his mother’s coffin, spread out across his arms — like wings.

Jackson also shared a picture he had taken of a little boy lying in a coffin, a teddy bear by his side. In 1994, Dwight “Mikey” Stewart was killed in a drive-by shooting at the tender age of 4.

“You cannot photograph through tears,” said Jackson. “I put the camera down.”

He told, too, of a book written about the shooting in which the boy’s mother thanks the reporter for interviewing her and he muses, “Why thank me for scribbling down the story?” She answers by pulling out a scrapbook containing news clippings of her baby’s death and says, “If it ain’t wrote down, they forget ’em.”

And so we write and we take pictures and we care about the people in our community. And, if we are successful, our readers understand something they otherwise might not have known, and our society moves forward.”

News and In-Depth Reporting

Last October, when a young homeless man hanged himself in Albany County’s jail, Hayden Harwood, a Siena College English major and our Guilderland reporter for six years, found out more about his death than his family was able to. His mother, Maryanne Rappaport, called the newspaper for answers, and then eventually agreed to tell us the whole sad story of her son’s spiral into addiction after being on pain medication.

In November, we used Adam Rappaport’s story as a way into examining in great depth two nationwide problems for inmates today, drug addiction and self-harm. The reams of research included unearthing former suicides at the jail as well as reading many government and scholarly reports on the issues.

These were brought home through the insights of the superintendent of the county jail, the sheriff, and chief deputy.

^{On the front page in November, the story of Adam Rappaport's death was examined from two distinct perspectives.}

The story, illustrated with a photograph of the jail by Michael Koff, ran under a single banner headline with its two parts — the young man’s story, written primarily by Hayden Harwood, and the jail’s perspective, written largely by Hale-Spencer — together making a complex whole, the issues crossing back and forth.

In awarding the story first place, the judges wrote, “What made this entry stand out from other (even excellent) coverage of sensational tragedy was the decision to give the readers two views side by side — the view of the grieving mother and the broad official perspective. In both cases, you let the sources speak for themselves without passing judgment — that job is for our readers (and some will do so). The mother’s story of her son’s downward spiral gives a recognizable face to an epidemic. The reader is truly carried away by her story — even considering the emotional content, that quality of writing is very rare indeed.”

In an editorial in the same edition, we outlined five changes that should be made at the county jail, which might have prevented Rappaport’s death, as well as acknowledging larger problems that go beyond the scope of the jail and need further remedy.

Also in November, we ran in-depth accounts of various perspectives on the local fight against heroin addiction. In suburban Guilderland, in the last year-and-a-half, there had been 17 heroin overdoses, seven of them fatal.

One story, by Hale-Spencer, detailed the way the school district was tackling teen drug abuse, and the other, by Hayden Harwood, documented the views of a wide variety of community leaders — the police chief, the high school principal, the sheriff, a doctor, an addictions facility manager, and a nurse whose son had been addicted to heroin.

In awarding The Enterprise second place for in-depth reporting, the judges wrote, “The writers use the personal account of Adam Rappaport and his mother’s quest to discover why he committed suicide while incarcerated to develop complete coverage of a problem that should concern everyone.

“The writers went to great length to research the subject of suicide in jails and prisons, in global, national and local levels. The editorial that accompanied the article was well thought out and offered constructive ideas.

“Finally, concerning the stories about the opiate and heroin forum and teen drug abuse, I, at first, was concerned they would detract from the Rappaport story, but found they actually enhanced that coverage, and provided a complete picture of substance abuse and prevention, from the pre-teen years on up.

Editorials and Editorial Cartoon

Carol Coogan is an artist of diverse talents. A drawing she did to illustrate Timothy Albright’s columns on Thacher Park’s centennial, imagining the original Indian Ladder, will grace the park’s new visitor center.

Her exquisite technique merges with forceful ideas week after week on our second page, devoted entirely to the editorial and its art.

Coogan won second place this year for her cartoon illustrating the editorial, “Doctors should be allowed to prescribe cannabis,” written in June before New York legalized medical marijuana. “Why should another person have to break the law to ease suffering?” it asks.

Coogan’s drawing depicts a doctor’s caduceus superimposed over the clearly recognizable marijuana leaf. At its base are two bottles — one filled with pills, and the other with pot.

“Nicely done,” wrote the judges. “An excellent illustration.”

The three editorials that garnered the first-place prize this year looked at large topics through a local lens. Enterprise editorials are written by longtime editor Hale-Spencer.

The first followed an April 17 car crash on Altamont’s Main Street in the wee hours of the morning. The driver who walked away from the crash was a State Trooper; the editorial called on the State Police to answer questions about the crash.

In October, an editorial, “Small businesses are stuck if the wheels of government don’t turn smoothly,” outlined problems caused by months-long delays for a small business waiting to see if it could get a special-use permit, and explained how a board could proceed, even with members out of town, if they planned ahead and attended through computer hook-ups.

Finally, in November, an editorial outlined changes the county jail could make in the wake of a heroin addict’s suicide.

“While each of the editorials were inspired by local incidents, two deal with issues that could be subjects on any editorial page in any municipality,” wrote the judges. “The writers stepped outside their own ‘city limits’ and discussed issues that affect a much broader audience, while also talking about what needed to be done at the local level. They put a human face on heroin addiction and challenged local law enforcement to be transparent — neither of which would be considered ‘safe’ topics to write about.”

Columns

Jo E. Prout, a University of Notre Dame anthropology major currently earning a master’s degree in ministry, is the Enterprise’s most experienced reporter. Over 18 years, she has covered a wide variety of beats and is currently our New Scotland reporter.

Throughout this time, she has amused and informed our readers with her prescient columns. This past year was no exception, and she won second place for a portfolio of three columns.

In August, she wrote about registering online so her children could enter their artworks for judging at the Altamont Fair. Prout describes her kindergartner rummaging through the empty fish tank that shows off her art as well as it did smelly fish.

“She was enthralled,” writes Prout, “and announced to the house, ‘I’m going to win!’

“She doesn’t know what she will win but she hopes a gumball is involved. She has her priorities straight, after all.”

In September, during Diaper Need Awareness Week, Prout wrote, “Is access to disposable diapers an inalienable right or a social responsibility?”

“I did a quick survey of a few local previous diaperers, i.e. moms, and the response was one of incredulous skepticism. Why claim a need, when cloth diapers can be purchased once and washed out in a bathtub?”

In November, cafeteria food became an issue as Prout covered the Voorheesville schools. She drew on memories of her own school days in Texas to write a funny column, “Remembering fideo and ‘enchiladas’ while I survived on cafeteria cookies and milk.”

“This was a trio of well written, diverse columns,” the judges said. “I had no problem ‘getting into’ the content and staying with the writer to the end. The subject matter was varied with a nice tip to timely issues like the school lunch problem. The length was appropriate, as well.”

Obituaries

The Enterprise has a longstanding tradition of being recognized for its obituaries. In an era when many newspapers have turned them into expensive paid ads, we run obituaries free of charge because we believe it is important to record the lives of people in our community. Every staff writer — even our award-winning sportswriter, Jordan J. Michael, pinch hits and our new village reporter, Elizabeth Floyd Mair, will too — conducts interviews to craft meaningful obituaries.

Two editions from 2014 — Aug. 7 and Oct. 16 — garnered this year’s second-place award.

Hayden Harwood wrote the front-page obituary on Major General Harold J. Greene under deadline. Greene, who was raised in Guilderland, was killed in Afghanistan. The detailed portrait began with Greene’s father recalling how, as a baby, the major general refused to be fed on a schedule, letting out “loud and piercing cry when he was hungry.”

Such unusual details created a picture of more than a war hero — the portrait is of a full human being.

“The writer employed excellent storytelling through the voice of a father whose wit and observations provide readers with a compelling portrait of his son,” the judges wrote.

The front page of the Oct. 16 edition carried the obituary, by Hale-Spencer, of Ed Cowley of Altamont, an artist, university teacher, environmentalist, and World War II war hero. The story unfolded from the point of view of his widow as she arranged treasures that told of the different parts of his life — as rich and varied as the stained-glass masterpieces he had created.

Photography

Marcello Iaia, a classical guitarist with a music degree from Florida State University, has worked for more than two years as our Hilltown reporter, shooting pictures that both arrest and inform. He uses light like an impressionist artist.

The 10 entries that made up his portfolio, second in the state, included snowflakes falling against a dark November night sky as the Stars and Stripes billow from a flag pole at Rensselaerville Town Hall; cows at twilight on the Helderberg horizon with the moon glowing in a watercolor sky; a rosy-cheeked toddler being fed a hot dog in the midst of a winter carnival; a promenade of four women midst ice fishermen on frozen Thompsons Lake; a midnight fire fought in Knox; a mangled car contrasted against a backdrop of Main Street that looks like a stage set; a backlit woman fondly showing off sleigh bells to schoolchildren in Berne; and a little girl mimicking the posture of firefighters whose ranks she joined on Memorial Day.

Also: Hands reaching for food from a laden picnic table; a heavy bunk feeder thrown by a tornado into a placid field — a contrast to the ripped barn and farmhouse in the background; a manacled man in an orange prison jumpsuit awkwardly wiping tears from his eyes; and Guilderland graduates, arranged in neat rows, wearing caps and gowns, tossing a beach ball.

“I like the variety of images submitted,” said the judges. “Nice composition/expression. I particularly like the winter festival and girl standing with the line of firemen.”

Michael Koff, a volunteer firefighter, has worked at The Enterprise since 2007 as a general-assignment photographer, covering a wide range of events. His dedication is beyond compare. He has waited for hours in the rain to catch a restaurant being trucked to a new home, and braved the cold to take shots of winter athletes. He makes the everyday matter.

Graduating from Siena College in 2002, Koff then, in order to pursue his passion for photography, went on to earn a second bachelor’s degree, in art with a concentration in photography, from the University at Albany.

His portfolio this year earned him an honorable mention, making him fourth in the state. This included: A sad little boy, tears visible in his eyes, at a candlelight vigil for a slain kindergartner; the county sheriff, bent like a backward comma with laughter; a scientist displaying a $20,000 disk so shiny that it reflects the face of a child watching him; a firefighter descending from a tall ladder; a row of Patriot Guard Riders, in profile, proudly holding American flags; and a student kneeling, as if in prayer, to harvest asparagus.

Also: A Berne-Knox-Westerlo baseball player falling backward to make a catch; a tyke in his father’s arms, waving a tiny flag as the parade marches by for Memorial Day in Voorheesville; a catcher, lying on his back in defeat as the feet of the victorious team’s players race around him in a blur; a riot of red, white, and blue as “The Star-Spangled Banner” is sung in front of the Guilderland library on Flag Day; a 10-year-old girl emerging from Rensselaer Lake like a nymph during the annual Pine Bush Triathlon; and a Berne-Knox-Westerlo wrestler who manages to smile as he looks to the ref for a call.

“Nice feature photos,” the judges said. “I particularly like the Flag Day photo and the triathlon swimmer.”

Coverage of Health, Health Care, and Science

The Enterprise’s third place statewide for health coverage was based on five articles.

In March, Hayden Harwood wrote about the Peter Young drug rehab center closing, and plans to open a wellness center at the site.

In June, Hale-Spencer, having been exposed to a rabid bat, wrote an in-depth look at what services are offered by the county health department to deal with exposure to rabid animals.

In August, she wrote about long-time Hilltown doctor, Gary Kolanchick’s hanging up his stethoscope as she examined the problems of passing on a rural practice.

She wrote an editorial in September, “Every minute counts: Don’t waste your chance to save a life,” on performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Prout wrote in December about potential problems with enforcing Albany County’s law banning toxic toys.

“Five different stories — Only newspaper to include an editorial sample in the entry,” wrote the judges. “Great variety. Your coverage will make a difference in your community.”

Best Website

For the second year in a row, The Enterprise placed third in the state for our website; Hale-Spencer sketched out the design with guidance from Iaia who largely maintains it.  The site was built two years ago by a brilliant student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Gavin Langdon, who has since graduated and is now moving to California to work in game design.

Langdon, who had never before used the Drupal content management system, tackled the project with aplomb, building our site from scratch. He patiently listened to our many and evolving requests, working out ways to make our dream a reality.

He’s still at it as our unique site is an ever-advancing work in progress.

“It is very well organized and clean with great links set up on the left side and ads displayed well (not annoying the viewer) with easy navigation,” the judges said. “Content quality is good.”

Community Leadership

Following another longstanding tradition, The Enterprise was honored twice this year for its community leadership, garnering the third-place award as well as an honorable mention.

The third-place award was for the paper’s extensive coverage, by Hale-Spencer, of the Guilderland School District’s quest to solve its problem of too much classroom space in the light of declining enrollment while being faced with decreasing aid. A consultant hired by the district came up with five cost-saving scenarios: four of them would have closed Altamont Elementary School.

In addition to continuing in-depth coverage of the unfolding process, The Enterprise ran dozens and dozens of letters over the course of several months, always being sure to check that the underlying facts were correct, but allowing each writer to state his or her views. The paper also ran columns by Altamont’s mayor and responses from the school district’s superintendent.

Editorials fairly addressed the pressing needs of the large school district while pointing out other solutions besides school closure. The school board ultimately backed off from the consultant’s scenarios and a task force is now looking at other possible uses of excess space.

“The closure of a school is always a gut punch to a community,” the judges said.

The honorable mention was for a series of stories and editorials, by Hale-Spencer, that took a close look at two elderly sisters who were arrested for animal abuse with 45 cats in their trailer. The in-depth coverage highlighted their background before the arrest and followed them through their court appearances.

Two people who were strays themselves thought they were helping stray cats, unable to see the real harm they were causing. In the end, the town judge did, indeed, show mercy, as an editorial had advised. The sisters felt they had a new lease on life. And, an Enterprise reader, who had learned of their plight through the articles, gave them a stuffed cat — since they could no longer have real ones — bringing them comfort. Through our stories, one human being had reached out to others in need and made them feel part of the human race, not outcast.

“The story about the Stannard sisters was a heartbreaker at many levels,” the judges said.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer