The Grand Bend Strip is committed to quality journalism. Here are some of the honours the paper and publisher Casey Lessard have received:
March, 2010
Ontario Community Newspapers Association – winners announced at May, 2010 ceremony
General Excellence – Class 1 (Award for best overall paper from two random issues submitted)
Other nominees: Cobden Sun and Manotick Messenger
Education Writing – Chicago! – SHDHS music trip
Other nominees: Parry Sound Beacon Star and Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal
Best Rural Story (circ under 9,999) – Fields of Gold – Marcus Koenig, potato farmer
Other nominees: Listowel Banner and New Hamburg Independent
Best Feature Photo (circ under 9,999) – Best Seat in the House – Dashwood soap box derby cover photo
Other nominees: Aylmer Express and Bracebridge Examiner
Best Photo Layout – Five days of good, clean fun – Parkhill Five Fun Days
Other nominees: Ajax/Pickering News Advertiser and North York Mirror
Best Sports Photo – Hockey Night in Zurich – Mark Buruma in dressing room
Other nominees: Brampton Guardian and Mount Forest Confederate
Photographer of the Year – Casey Lessard, photographer
Other nominees: Belleville EMC and Peterborough This Week
Best Creative Advertising (circ under 9,999) – Casey365.com – ad promoting website
Other nominees: Mount Forest Confederate and Nunavut News/North
May, 2009
Canadian Community Newspapers Association
2nd – Best Feature Series – The Final Frontier, examining wheelchair accessibility in Grand Bend, Exeter and Parkhill (May 28 & June 11, 2008)
3rd – Best Rural Reporting – The Final Frontier, examining wheelchair accessibility in Grand Bend, Exeter and Parkhill (May 28 & June 11, 2008)
3rd – Best Business Writing – Life on the Water, a day in the life of Purdy’s fisheries in Sarnia (August 13, 2008)
3rd – Best Coverage of the Arts – various items
3rd – Best In House Ad Campaign – Caught Stripping (September 11 & 25, 2008)
April 2009
Ontario Community Newspapers Association
1st – Best Editorial – No Lifeguards, No Problem, a tribute to Jule Kovar and examination of Lambton Shores role in the drowning deaths of Kovar, Ryan Albrecht and Elizabeth Tse at Grand Bend beach (August 13, 2008)
1st – Best Sports & Recreation Story – No Lifeguards, No Problem, a tribute to Jule Kovar and examination of Lambton Shores role in the drowning deaths of Kovar, Ryan Albrecht and Elizabeth Tse at Grand Bend beach (August 13, 2008)
2nd – Best Creative Advertising – Caught Stripping (September 11 & 25, 2008)
May, 2008
Canadian Community Newspapers Association
1st – Outstanding Reporter Initiative – Restore Us, a tribute to Bill and Helene Regier (August 1, 2007)
April, 2008
Ontario Community Newspapers Association
2nd – Photographer of the Year – Casey Lessard
3rd – Best Photo Essay – All’s Fair in Parkhill, photos from the Parkhill Fair (September 26, 2007)
Awards for Casey Lessard while working for Haliburton Echo and Minden Times:
May, 2007
Canadian Community Newspapers Association
2nd – Best Photo Essay – Photos from the Haliburton Highlands Secondary School prom (May 31, 2006)
3rd – Best Photo Essay – Digging for Clams in West Guilford (August 1, 2006)
April, 2007
Ontario Community Newspapers Association
1st – Best Feature Photo – Haliburton Highlands Secondary School prom (May 30, 2006)
2nd – Photographer of the Year – Casey Lessard
Awards while working for Woolwich Observer:
Canadian Community Newspapers Association
May, 2004
2nd – Best Photo Essay – A Community Mourns, coverage of the Dan Snyder funeral (October 11, 2003)
