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The Tidewater News was honored with the Advertising Sweepstakes award and the Grand Sweepstakes award by the Virginia Press Association for the 2022 contest year. This is the 10th time the newspaper has won the Advertising Sweepstakes and the ninth time it has won the Grand Sweepstakes. 

The awards were announced at the VPA Awards Banquet, held Saturday, May 6, at the Hilton in Henrico. The program was held in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Publisher Betty Ramsey said, “I’m not at all surprised that this team has once again been judged as the best in their class. Community journalism is the heart and soul of this organization, and Graphic Designer Retta Lomax, Advertising Director Mitzi Lusk, Staff Reporter Titus Mohler and Office Manager Michelle Gray are a dynamite team that understand the importance of their work — chronicling the history of our community. It is a real honor to work with such dedicated professionals. They love what they do, and it shows!”

The Tidewater News competes in the VPA’s Non-Daily 2 category against other papers throughout the state with circulations ranging from 1,600 to 3,999 that publish from one to three times per week. The awards were judged by journalists and advertising professionals from the Tennessee Press Association.

The Advertising Sweepstakes award honors the newspaper that wins the most points across all categories in the advertising contest. First-place awards receive three points, followed by second-place awards receiving two points and third-place receiving one point.

The Grand Sweepstakes award combines points accrued by the newspaper in the news and advertising contests. Winning a total of 33 awards, including 14 first-place honors, below is a list of awards won by The Tidewater News team: 

FIRST PLACE

Automotive Advertising — Mitzi Lusk

Digital Advertising — Mitzi Lusk

Education, Churches, and Organizations Advertising — Mitzi Lusk

Entertainment Advertising— Mitzi Lusk

Fashion and Personal Care Advertising – Mitzi Lusk

Home and Garden Advertising — Mitzi Lusk

Lifestyles Advertising — Mitzi Lusk

Member Self-Promotion  Advertising— Retta Lomax

Small Space Ads — Retta Lomax

Slick Publications (standalone section with a slick cover) — Retta Lomax, Mitzi Lusk

Special Section (standalone non-slick cover) — Retta Lomax, Mitzi Lusk

Sport Pages — Retta Lomax

General Make-Up — Retta Lomax

Government Writing — Titus Mohler

SECOND PLACE 

Automotive Advertising — Mitzi Lusk

Home and Garden Advertising — Retta Lomax

Lifestyles Advertising — Loretta Lomax

Member Self-Promotion Advertising — Retta Lomax

Multiple Advertisers and Themed Pages — Retta Lomax, Mitzi Lusk

Real Estate Advertising — Retta Lomax

Slideshow or Gallery  — Titus Mohler

Picture Story or Essay — Titus Mohler

THIRD PLACE

Automotive Advertising — Mitzi Lusk

Food and Drug Advertising — Mitzi Lusk

Home and Garden Advertising — Retta Lomax

Member Self-Promotion — Mitzi Lusk

Professional Services (medical and healthcare) —Retta Lomax

Real Estate Advertising — Mitzi Lusk

Small Space Ads — Mitzi Lusk

Page Design — Retta Lomax

General News Photo — Titus Mohler

Headline Writing — Titus Mohler