Congratulations–again–to Adirondack Life
Adirondack Life magazine, and a number of its reporters, editors and contributors, won multiple prizes at this year’s International Regional Magazine Association conference. Special shout outs to NCPR’s Brian Mann for his award-winning piece, to our good friend photographer Nancie Battaglia, and to AL Creative Director Betsy Folwell. You may recall that last year we took note when the magazine was named “Magazine of the Year” by IRMA.
Here’s the press release, with details about the gold, silver and bronze awards garnered by Adirondack Life this year:
Adirondack Life Magazine Wins International Regional Magazine Association Awards
JAY, NY—Adirondack Life won a total of 13 awards—four gold, four silver and five bronze—at the International Regional Magazine Association (IRMA) conference, presented in Scottsdale, Arizona, on October 1. The awards honored work from 2011.
Mary Thill took gold in the Public Issues category for “Risky Business” (May/June), about allegations of unsafe practices at an Adirondack white-water rafting company. Judges called it “a true investigation. Thoroughly reported, clearly written.”
The magazine’s special section on Tropical Storm Irene, “After the Storm” (November/December), written by Brian Mann, received gold in the General Feature category. Judges called it “a tremendous effort” with “a gripping combination of reportage and first person reports.” Mann’s article on the problem of white-nose syndrome in Adirondack bats, “Natural Disaster” (March/April), won bronze in the Nature Feature category.
Christopher Shaw’s meditation on Follensby Pond, “Back to the Source” (July/August), won gold in the Essay category. Judges cited his “strong use of language and imagery.”
The final gold was for Nancie Battaglia’s photograph of a pet blessing from “All God’s Creatures” (September/October), which won in the Single Photograph category. Judges called it “a marvelously complex, layered composition and an authentic moment.”
Rob Dunlavey received silver for his “richly detailed” and “whimsical” illustrations in “Live Here, Work Here” (November/December).
Judges also gave silver to members of the Adirondack Life editorial staff. Senior Editor Niki Kourofsky won in the History Feature category for her colorful look into Lyon Mountain’s rough-and-tumble mining past, “Frontier Town” (January/February). Creative Director Elizabeth Folwell’s article on canning, “Self Preservation” (At Home in the Adirondacks), designed by Art Director Kelly Hofschneider, won in the combined writing/art Food Feature category. The same feature earned Hofscheider the bronze in Art Direction of a Single Story.
Editor Annie Stoltie’s “tender, well-structured story” about Old Mountain Phelps and his descendents, “An Adirondack Icon Revealed” (November/December), won silver in the Profile category. Stoltie also took bronze in the Column category for her Short Carries essays “Places in the Heart” (January/February), “Wordswoman” (July/August) and “Slow Burn” (November/December).
Senior Editor Lisa Bramen received Bronze in the Reader Service category for “Live Here, Work Here” (November/December), which judges said “took a potentially dull subject and made it anything but.”
The magazine was also given bronze honors in Overall Art Direction in the 40,000 and under circulation class for Hofschneider’s “strong, lively layouts” with “elegant typography”; an award of merit in the Special Focus category for its At Home in the Adirondacks issue; and was the runner-up in its circulation class for Magazine of the Year. One judge wrote, “From useful service that is laser-focused on its demographic, to compelling photography, Adirondack Life feels indispensable if you’re fortunate enough to live there.”
Creative Director Elizabeth Folwell said, “What we do at Adirondack Life is reflect the issues, history and beauty of a very specific place, and we try to accomplish this in ways that people who have never experienced the Adirondacks can understand. That judges from all over the U.S. and Canada recognize excellence in our publication means we’re communicating our commitment to the park loudly and clearly, with grace, humor and insight.”
Adirondack Life publishes eight issues a year. It covers historical, political, social, recreational and environmental issues relevant to the six-million-acre Adirondack Park and is known for some of the best photography in and out of New York State’s wilderness.
IRMA has 39 member magazines from Florida to Missouri to British Columbia. It was established in the 1960s to help regional magazine publishers, editors and art and circulation directors share ideas. IRMA’s website is www.regionalmagazines.org; Adirondack Life is on the Web at www.adirondacklife.com.
Hometowns of winners:
Mary Thill, Saranac Lake, N.Y.
Brian Mann, Saranac Lake, N.Y.
Christopher Shaw, Bristol, Vt.
Nancie Battaglia, Lake Placid, N.Y.
Rob Dunlavey, Natick, Mass.
Niki Kourofsky, Morrisonville, N.Y.
Elizabeth Folwell, Blue Mountain Lake, N.Y.
Annie Stoltie, Jay, N.Y.
Kelly Hofschneider, Saranac Lake, N.Y.
Lisa Bramen, Upper Jay, N.Y.
Tags: adirondack life magazine, Betsy Folwell, Brian Mann, international regional magazine association, Nancie Battaglie
