McKnight’s Senior Living Editor Lois A. Bowers took top honors Thursday evening at the Press Club of Cleveland’s 43rd All Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards, winning first place in the Trade Publications – Trade Report category. The awards were announced during a virtual event.

Bowers’ first-place nod came for “Senior living braces for changes in 2020 as top challenges remain,” an article that featured insights about the upcoming year from leaders of several organizations serving providers. The award category recognizes a “single story or series on a topic or issue affecting or concerning the publication’s main target audience.”

Bowers also won third place in a Headline Writing category that included magazines; Sunday magazines; alternative publications; trade and professional publications; and business publications. Entries were judged on originality, creativity, appropriateness and their ability to capture readers’ attention. 

She won the award for the headline “Giving their regards,” which appeared on an article about four Broadway performers entertaining residents and staff members of Van Dyk Health Care in the midst of the pandemic. “Headline is a fun play on words,” the judges said.

“Well over 600 entries” were received for the competition, according to Sam Allard, senior writer for “Cleveland Scene” and an emcee of the event. The contest was open to all professional journalists working in or publishing in Ohio via daily and other newspapers; consumer, trade, professional and business publications; radio; television; and websites.

Awards recognized work completed in 2020. Entries were judged by members of press clubs from around the country.

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