SCN names 2022 ‘Award of Excellence’ and ‘Readership Award’ winners: Carol Berger and Diane Constable

by Agnes Geiger

For the third year, the Stockbridge Community News is presenting two annual awards—the Award of Excellence and the Readership Award. This year, SCN honors two talented people—one who quickly designs invitingly beautiful pages and another whose column provides interesting facts about nature and an exquisite photo each month. These features both improve the presentation and community information in the paper in print and online for readers.

Award of Excellence
This award was created to recognize unsung heroes—those who often may work in the background but whose efforts are instrumental in ensuring the Stockbridge Community News is a quality publication we can all be proud of. This year, the Award of Excellence is granted to Carol Berger, a talented graphic designer specializing in special event page layouts.

Countless times, Berger has accepted last-minute assignments to create full-page spreads for events occurring late in the month, such as Festival of Lights, Memorial Day, Halloween Lamp Posts, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. She often must compose these pages quickly but can take our words and photos to make the pages inviting and visually pleasing.

“Carol’s graphic design talent, hard work, and willing personality have been vital in SCN’s success,” Hope Salyer, SCN managing editor, said. “She always delivers beautiful spreads on time and helps to highlight the amazing events and happenings in our small community. Her contributions help ensure SCN’s print issue is delivered on time and with a beautiful aesthetic each month.”

Berger lives in rural Mason, Michigan. She enjoys nature, and spending time with her horses and chickens. (Her favorite chickens are Blue and Pebbles.) Berger also is a talented artist who paints primarily in oils. She has competed in Art Prize and her paintings have been exhibited with Philip Pearlstein, Jane Freilicher, Fairfield Porter and Paul Resika.

Readership Award
The Readership Award recognizes an SCN writer who regularly touches the hearts and minds of area residents through the written word. In addition to celebrating readership, this award acknowledges the professionalism of the writer with regard to initiative and deadlines. This year, the Readership Award is granted to columnist Diane Constable, author of the interesting and informative “Rural Perspectives” feature each month.

Constable began writing the nature-inspired column in December 2020. She is a reliable, solid writer who takes exceptional photos. Every month she gets her column to us on time and usually adds a “Fun Fact” or two about that month’s topic. We also appreciate that Constable reaches out occasionally with other interesting story ideas.

“Living in our rural community, Diane shares one of her own lovely nature photos each month for all of us to enjoy,” Joan Tucker, SCN board president, said. “The educational information she provides along with her photo is fun to read, especially for our more curious readers.”

Mary Jo David, SCN’s editor-in-chief, looks forward to reading the column. “Every month I delight in the wisdom Diane imparts about natural subjects that are often part of our everyday landscape,” David said. “Upon reading Diane’s column—which always includes one of her stunning photos—my own appreciation for her subject increases dramatically.”

Constable is on the Unadilla Township Planning Commission and is a member of the township’s Parks and Recreation Committee. She also enjoys her dogs and gardening.