Pilot Point played host to the North and East Texas Press Association's 99th Convention from April 9-Saturday for the first time.
The newspaper had the opportunity to highlight the communities it serves while helping to bring together journalists from throughout the north and east regions of the state.
'I've been dreaming of and planning this convention for years, so having it all come together with a near unbeatable view of Lake Ray Roberts as our backdrop meant more to me than I can explain,' said Abigail Bardwell, the Post-Signal's editor and publisher who served as the convention chairwoman for the event.
Throughout the course of the convention, the journalists in attendance had the opportunity to hear from the area's mayors—Pilot Point's Chad Major, Aubrey's Chris Rich, Providence Village's Linda Inman and Krugerville's Rodney Cagle—about the challenge of growth that they all face.
The four took turns answering what they feel are the strengths and issues they have in face of the growth, with all agreeing that their focus on regional cooperation helps give each of their communities a stronger voice in communicating with the state legislature.
The group also heard from Tim Gieringer of the UNT Digital Newspaper Program, which Bardwell felt was timely in light of the recent fire that destroyed the home of the Gatesville Messenger.
He shared information regarding the process as well as the grants that newspaper publishers can work with their local library directors to apply for so Texas' written history is not lost.
Four journalists who are relatively new to the craft— the Post-Signal's Martin Edwards and Paisley McGee, the Kerrville Daily Times' Haeley Carpenter, and the Hood County News' Shay Cuellar—shared their perspective on the profession in a Young Journalists Panel moderated by Texas Center for Community Journalism Director Austin Lewter.
Robbie Merritt, superintendent of the Ray Roberts Lake State Park complex, spoke to the group regarding resources available from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for telling the stories of those facilities and the department as a whole.
It wasn't all work. To help start the convention on a high note, Pilot Point artist Justine Scott came April 9 to work with the attendees to create two watercolor compilations that reflected the different individual artists' interpretations into two completed pieces.
Those pieces were then framed and put up for auction on April 10 to help benefi t the NETPA scholarship fund.
Former Post-Signal intern Tierney Withrow, who will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall, won a $1,500 scholarship from the organization.
The organization also recognized former Post-Signal Publisher David Lewis, who ran the paper for nearly 50 years, for his journalism career with the Sam C. Holloway Award.
'I appreciate this very much,' Lewis said after acknowledging the impact his wife Pam Lewis had in supporting him. '... Keep up the good work.'
The Texas Rural Reporter Suzanne Bellsnyder, who is a newspaper publisher as well and who presented on Saturday morning, was given the Tom Mooney Award, known as the Friend of the Newspaper award.
The Post-Signal took second behind the Wise County Messenger in Divison 3 Large Weeklies for the 2025 NETPA Better Newspaper Contest.
It took first in sports photo and sports writing; second in column writing, editorial writing, feature photo, general excellence, news photo and news writing; third in page design and sports coverage; and fourth in advertising, feature story and headline writing.
Bardwell also took third in the Journalist of the Year category.
At the close of the convention Saturday, Bardwell began her term as the president of the North and East Texas Press Association.
'I am proud of the work our staff does week in and week out to tell the stories of the Ranch Cities area,' Bardwell said. 'It was truly a joy to show off our community to our colleagues and to have the chance for David to be recognized for his impact on our industry. Being an active part of our regional and state press associations has
Jim Bardwell/Gladewater Mirror
had a direct impact on my life and has helped strengthen the work we put into this paper.'
