Record editor wins state writing award

Katie Erdman, editor of the Hancock Record, received the award for "Best Columnist " for small weekly newspapers in the 2008 Better Newspaper Contest.

The award was presented to Erdman last week by the Minnesota Newspaper Association during its annual convention in Bloomington.

There were a total of 24 entries in Erdman's division, which includes weekly newspapers with a circulation of up to 1,500.

Erdman began writing her weekly column, "Talking It Over," shortly after beginning her career as the Record's editor in 1991.

The judges' comments were: "Erdman has a great writing style that keeps the readers' attention. She writes with 'feeling' so that readers can relate to her topic. Keep up the good work!"