Awards

I was able to fool some judges and snag a couple of AP Broadcast News awards in 2008.

I never thought too much of awards. Until, that is, I won one or two. That changed my outlook a bit. It’s neat to do something you enjoy, get paid for it and win an award for it.

Of course, the best award is the reward of hearing from someone, either in person or through a note, that your article, radio news story or column touched them in some positive way — that they’re glad they heard it or read it.

I’ve heard some of those comments over the years, and they mean a lot.

An award for three decades of race announcing came from Joe Taylor and the Quad-Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau.

I’ve been lucky enough to win some awards for my writing, news reporting and even longevity in race announcing. Every one of them is special to me.