“Miracle on Ice” Hockey Captain Mike Eruzione and his grandson Leo Callinan view Olympic medals in the Lake Placid Olympic Center Museum in Lake Placid on July 6, 2023. (Enterprise photo — Arthur Maiorella)

SARANAC LAKE — The Adirondack Daily Enterprise and Lake Placid News received a total of nine awards for the 2023 New York Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, which were handed out during the NYPA Spring Conference in Saratoga Springs on Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27.

Below are the awards with the judges’ comments.

¯ Sports Feature, Division 1, first place, Parker O’Brien, Adirondack Daily Enterprise. For a feature on 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team captain Mike Eruzione’s tour of Olympic venues in Lake Placid with his grandchildren. “This wonderful feature takes an unforgettable moment in sports history and relates how one of the key figures in the ‘Miracle on Ice’ moment revisited that the historic place that it occurred. The storytelling is so wonderful that, early in the article, it makes you feel as if you were there with this family experiencing what they were experiencing, especially in how that it tells of the children’s reaction as they encountered different things in the hockey arena at Lake Placid. This doesn’t just give us a look through the eyes of Mike Eruzione but also through the eyes of those who are closest to him. It also gives us a glimpse of his human side by painting a wonderful picture of who he is in the present day as ‘Papa’ and what it means to both he and his family now to be living with one that so many people see as a legend. It’s well-sourced and simply a wonderful effort in storytelling. The writer nails it!”

¯ Picture Story, Division 1, first place, Arthur Maiorella, Lake Placid News. For a picture story on 1980 U.S. hockey team captain Mike Eruzione’s tour of Olympic venues with his grandchildren. “Tells story while setting mood, excellent variety of photos.”

¯ Best Real Estate/Home Section, Division 1, first place, Lindsay Munn, Andy Flynn and Tori Marbone, Lake Placid News. For the Adirondack Living magazine. “A beautiful cover with nice art throughout. The layout is clean and appealing and the magazine overall has a good ‘feel’ to it. And I greatly enjoyed the features.”

¯ Best Column, Division 1, first place, Andy Flynn, Lake Placid News. For the “Lake Placid Diet” column. “It takes a whole lot of vulnerability to share a personal journey in the newspaper, as you must know. Not only did you share your weight loss journey, you shared the most intimate parts of your journey and that takes a lot of courage. It’s a powerful testament. Cheers to you and I wish you well in your journey.”

¯ Best Column, Division 1, second place, Naj Wikoff, Lake Placid News. For the “On the Scene” column. “I really enjoyed your writing. Diversity is always a topic that deserves the spotlight and you do a great job with sharing these stories without giving a tokenism vibe. I enjoyed learning both about your community’s growing diversity in winter sports and outdoors activity. Please continue with this content. It’s very needed.”

¯ Best Front Page, Division 2, second place, Andy Flynn, Lake Placid News. The three entries included the front page of the June 9 issue featuring headshots from Lake Placid Community Day with the headline, “What community looks like.” “The front-page designer uses creativity well. The cover of mug shots for Community Day was compelling. The use of photos is outstanding. The reader can follow the design well.”

¯ Coverage of Crime, Police, Courts, Division 1, honorable mention, Aaron Marbone and Lauren Yates, Adirondack Daily Enterprise. For a variety of crime, police and courts stories throughout the year.

¯ Feature Story, Division 1, honorable mention, Lauren Yates, Lake Placid News. Coverage of Ruth Hart’s 104th birthday drive-by parade. “Outstanding and interesting piece on a local icon; this is truly local journalism you will not find anywhere else. Great job.”

¯ Feature Photos(s), Division 1, honorable mention, Arthur Maiorella. For a photo of Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department members walking down Main Street during the Fourth of July parade; the members’ reflection was captured in a puddle in the middle of the street. “This is so artistic! I love the composition and the reflection.”