Times-Journal readers can vote for their best pizza place, teacher, doctor, hardware store––even funeral home––in a new contest that starts this week.
It’s the first Times-Journal Readers’ Choice Awards that give readers a chance to honor their favorite area businesses, professionals, service people and locations. And two lucky voters will win $100 each.
The idea for the contest came from Diane Lavigne of the T-J sales staff, who in turn got the idea from The Fayetteville (NC) Observer, her hometown paper.
“It’s different,” Ms. Lavigne said. “It’s the people telling us what they enjoy in the area, not someone telling them.”
The ballot, on the back page of this section, lists more than 40 categories. No purchase is necessary, but ballots must be on newsprint and not photocopied. Ballots are available for free at the T-J office on Division Street, Cobleskill.
The T-J will publish the ballot again in next week’s paper, though each reader may vote only once. Ballots must be submitted by August 29, and a special edition will highlight the winners on September 24.
Two voters’ ballots will be chosen at random for the $100 prizes.
Winning businesses will receive certificates suitable for framing from the T-J.
That’s how Ms. Lavigne first learned of the contest. The Fayetteville veterinarian she used to take her dogs to had his award framed on his office wall.
“And he framed the article, too,” Ms. Lavigne said. “He was very proud.”
The Observer has had its Readers’ Choice Awards for 11 or 12 years, and it’s become “hugely popular,” Ms. Lavigne said.
“I think they enjoy how many different categories there are,” she said. “But you don’t have to vote for them all. You can vote for some of them and still enter.”
Ms. Lavigne talked with The Observer’s Community Editor and Sales Manager for advice, and she added that “they love their contest.”
Fayetteville is much larger than the Times-Journal area, and The Observer’s contest has more categories. But Ms. Lavigne believes the T-J Readers’ Choice will adapt well.
“The concept is the same, and the concept will translate well,” she said.
“I think people in our area will enjoy it and get a kick out of it.”