FALMOUTH — Mo Mehlsak, editor of The Forecaster, received the 2010 Golden Quill Award for excellence in editorial writing June 26 from the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors.

The winning editorial, which raised questions about the way a School Board vacancy was filled in South Portland, was published in November 2009. It was one of 95 entries for the award; 11 other finalists received Golden Dozen awards from ISWNE at the organization’s annual conference, held this year at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Ky.

Judges Elizabeth Hansen and Deborah Givens of the EKU Communications Department said this about Mehlsak’s editorial:

“This type of editorial is not sensational, not heart wrenching and not about global issues. But it is an example of the primary duty of weekly newspaper editors: bringing attention to local issues and problems and offering solutions.”

Mehlsak, 54, a Cape Elizabeth resident, has been editor of The Forecaster since 2006. He joined the newspaper in 2004 as managing editor and previously was city editor at the daily Journal Tribune in Biddeford.

In addition to the Golden Quill Award, ISWNE presented the 35th annual Gene Cervi Award to Ben, Tom and Pat Gish of The Mountain Eagle in Whitesburg, Ky. The award honors a career of outstanding public service through community journalism.

Approximately 80 weekly newspaper editors and publishers from throughout the U.S., Canada, England, Ireland, Australia and Zambia attended the four-day conference.

Sidebar Elements

---

Mo Mehlsak, editor of The Forecaster, addresses the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors on Saturday, June 26, at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Ky., after receiving the Golden Quill Award for outstanding editorial writing. ISWNE President Jim Painter, editor of the West Valley View in Avondale, Ariz., presented the award.