Daily Sun earns general excellence award from NH Press Association

Five journalists at The Laconia Daily Sun put out scores of pages of news, almost every day of the week.

The team is small but mighty, the latter fact validated in June, when the New Hampshire Press Association named its Distinguished Journalism Award winners, and placed The Sun third for general excellence.

News professionals from outlets across New Hampshire gathered at the Saint Anselm College Institute of Politics when the 139 winning entries, chosen from nearly 400 submissions in 30 categories, were presented.

“The award confirms what we already know,” said Julie Hirshan Hart, The Sun’s editor since 2021. “We’re one of the top newspapers in the state. Even though we’re a small team, in a small community, we are still doing our best work every day.”

The Sun learned this spring the team was nominated in the general excellence category, but didn’t know what place it earned until the event.

“Seeing your name on the list under the general excellence category is kind of a shock,” Hirshan Hart said, noting the newspaper doesn’t nominate itself for the recognition of its leadership. “I’m really proud of the work the team does. I’m so impressed with what they do every day.”

She said everyone on the staff is driven to tell community stories — the hard news and the features. “There’s something inside them that is curious, persistent and nosy to some extent,” Hirshan Hart said. “We see something, and we want to find out more.”

Hart believes The Sun caught the attention of the judges because being a free daily paper available in print and online is unusual in this day and age, and because the paper offers news as well as a daily calendar, themed special sections, opinion pieces, and stories about local nonprofits, schools and civic groups that help celebrate their wins and successes.

“People can see themselves in our paper,” she said.

Nearly three quarters through 2026, Hart says one story that helps illustrate why The Sun stands out began as a news story about a truck falling through the ice into Lake Winnipesaukee this spring in Gilford.

That piece could have ended with the initial report, but reporter Bob Martin followed the developing story through the removal from the water, revealing everything from rules for use of the adjacent beach to salvage operations that involved state environmentalist and divers, and the Legislature's fines for such an incident.

This year, The Sun has an almost completely new editorial team. Hirshan Hart is grateful students graduating from college are still interested in print journalism. “That’s exciting and astounding.”

Here’s a look at the paper’s award-winning team.

Julie Hirshan Hart, editor

Education: While she didn’t intend to make news gathering her career, Hirshan Hart holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Flagler College in Florida.

Journalistic experience: After working on Flagler’s student newspaper, Hirshan Hart worked in nonprofits and fundraising for 10 years before joining the family newspaper remotely in 2018. A few years later, she moved to the Lakes Region, and worked as the community and digital editor. By 2021, she had risen to the rank of editor, and was focused on engaging readers.

The work: The role of an editor is fast-paced, and requires balancing competing priorities. Hirshan Hart must prioritize which story of dozens to read first and, each day, she must evaluate the assets for the following day — a strong photo for the front page, which stories can hold if needed. “I’d say it’s almost constant triage and re-prioritizing tasks and workload,” she said. “I’ve also always got my eyes and ears open to find the untold stories in our community. The editor’s job is to look at the whole picture, and then also figure out all the pieces you need to make the picture, and figure out where to get them, and how to get them in time.”

On-the-job learning: In five years, Hirshan Hart has learned much about each community in the region and the people in it — and that you can’t always make everyone happy. “We do our best to approach things fairly, honestly and compassionately, but sometimes we make mistakes, and we own them and do better next time,” she said. “Most people don’t really understand our work, and it’s part of our job to explain it to them, to gain their trust, to bring them into the circle.”

Props for The Sun: The Sun is entering its second generation of family leadership. Adam Hirshan, Hirshan Hart’s father, serves as publisher, and her mother, Elaine Hirshan, as managing director. This year, Hirshan Hart’s husband also came on board as operations director. “We are really continuing our family legacy, both through the newsroom and in the whole business office in our best efforts to make the paper sustainable for years to come,” said Hirshan Hart, of Gilford. “Our mission is to give readers both the news they want, and the news they need, and to do that in a balanced, unbiased way. And to be a trusted source for people to look to when they want to know what’s happening.”

After deadline: You’re likely to find Hirshan Hart at rehearsal for a community theater show, shopping for props for a community theater show, or possibly watching other people perform.

Final tidbit: When Hirshan Hart was 14, she worked after school at her family’s sister newspaper to the north — The Conway Daily Sun — writing birth announcements and readying letters to the editor for publication.

Katlyn Proctor, deputy editor

Education: Proctor holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and creative writing from Roger Williams University, and a master’s from Southern New Hampshire University.

Journalistic experience: While she has dabbled in tourism, public relations and marketing, her journalistic career began at The Eagle Times in Claremont, and led her to North Carolina, where she worked as editor of the Winston-Salem Monthly magazine and several community newspapers as both a freelancer and editor. She returned to The Eagle Times in 2023, and was general manager and editor-in-chief when the Times folded. “The No. 1 thing I learned in all of my endeavors was the value of local, community news. It serves such an important purpose that we work hard every day to prove,” Proctor said. “I’m not afraid to cover difficult stories, because I had to learn on the fly how to pull documents, ask the tough questions and get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

The work: At The Sun, Proctor edits letters to the editor, working with readers in the region to get their thoughts in print. “This feature reinforces how important the platform is in the region — individual, hyper local." She also edits community news that comes in, typically via email as press releases.

On-the-job learning: “I’ve learned a lot by trial and fire,” she said, noting while she has many degrees, the real learning came on the job through her own mistakes and direction from editors. Running the Eagle Times, which she called a “lean machine,” she oversaw everything from sales to payroll and editorial, and learned a great deal. “Every place I’ve landed has taught me something that has helped me,” she said. “I’ve learned more investigative journalism at The Sun. Julie’s a great editor. She has great insights and helps with navigating tricky situations. Every day I get to experience something new."

Props for The Sun: The Sun’s emphasis on highlighting unsung heroes, local businesses and nonprofits who make the Lakes Region unique is top in Proctor’s mind. “Everybody here plays an important role, and we are able to give that voice to the people,” she said. “We’re very accessible, and we have a strong editor in Julie. She prioritizes an emphasis on the truth and facts.” Proctor also values that The Sun is family owned and operated.

After deadline: A multitasker, Proctor tends to read eight books at a time, with genres “all over the place.” She also loves to cook and is a pet-sitter. Most often, you can find her with her two cats, Clea and Rory, or visiting with family.

Final tidbit: Proctor, of Goffstown, invites people in the area to come in and talk to The Sun staff: “We love to hear from people. Stop by, or call.”

Bob Martin, reporter

Education: Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism from the University of New Hampshire.

Journalistic experience: His journalism career began 20 years ago at Laconia’s The Citizen newspaper, where he completed a summer internship, was hired to cover the Plymouth region, and later worked as assistant sports editor and writer in Laconia. He has also written for Patch.com, the Salmon Press, The Eagle Times and various online publications, and he has worked for a public relations firm, writing press releases for musicians.

The work: At The Sun for nearly a year, Martin covers Gilford and Meredith, writing news and feature stories — “a little of everything,” he said, adding, “I enjoy it all — even the tough stuff.” He particularly enjoys writing stories that pay tribute to a person who's died, or is being honored. “Those are really impactful and important. They show readers that there is kindness and good in the world, still.”

On-the-job learning: Martin said he learned more through experience than in the classroom — through successes and failures, and mentors. Skills acquired this way include thinking on his feet, multitasking and making judgement calls, like knowing where to stand when you’re reporting on a fire, so you are not in danger, or in the way. He also enjoys building long-term relationships, and has a following of sources like Kirk Beattie, who was deputy fire chief when Martin worked at The Citizen, and is now city manager. Martin asks tough questions, but gains trust through accurate and substantive storytelling.

Props for The Sun: It’s free — that’s huge —and it’s accessible. “People can call any of us with a story idea, or a tip or a question, and we’ll likely be able to help them. And if we can’t, we’ll figure out how,” Martin said. He is also proud of the super-localized reporting. “That’s kind of rare, and I think there’s a lot of rarities about The Sun that make it appealing. Talking things through. Spitballing ideas. It takes a team and a group of journalists who have experience and love what they do. It’s a pleasure working here.”

After deadline: During the winter, Martin is likely to be found skiing at Gunstock Mountain Resort, where he learned the sport. In the warmer months, he loves to catch live music and spend time at the many lakes and rivers New Hampshire has to offer.

Final tidbit: Growing up vacationing in Gilford, and living locally, Martin is very familiar with the area, and now lives in Ashland. He noted he and Proctor were coworkers at The Eagle Times.

Delaney Nickerson, reporter

Education: She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism from the University of New Hampshire.

Journalistic experience: Throughout her last two years of college, Nickerson wrote for the UNH paper, The New Hampshire. Before coming to The Sun, she was an editorial intern for a digital magazine called Level Man, and she has worked as a video production and editing intern, a writer for an online publication called Marketing Choices, and as a production intern at NHPBS.

The work: Nickerson covers council meetings and takes assignments from her editors. “This is my dream situation coming out of college. I wanted to work for a community paper,” she said. “I love that The Sun still prints, which is pretty rare from what I’ve seen in the industry. I love how connected it is.”

On-the-job learning: Newspaper experience in college and courses prepared Nickerson to be ready for anything, from calling police to report on crimes to writing features on local shops. She is enjoying building relationships and absorbing everything she can in the newsroom.

Props for The Sun: "I really admire it. We’re not trying to make everyone happy. We’re just trying to tell the truth.

“I’ve learned so much from Julie, so much about asking questions and learning about what goes into writing these stories — fact checking and making sure I’m putting out the most accurate and clear and concise articles that I can.”

After deadline: Nickerson loves reading psychological thrillers, journaling and walking around or paddleboarding on Lake Winnisquam.

Final tidbit: Nickerson lived in southern California her whole life, before the host of the NHPBS show “The State We’re In” recommended her for the job at The Sun, which she started in June. She now lives about half a block from downtown Laconia.

Hannah Watson, production coordinator

Education: Born and raised in Laconia, Watson holds an associate’s degree in graphic design from Lakes Region Community College.

Journalistic experience: Her background is in design, and retail. She has also worked as a product photographer for a stamp and coin company, and in a doctor’s office as a receptionist.

The work: As a production coordinator at The Sun, Watson helps design the newspaper’s pages and selects community content via press releases. “I like to choose content that is relevant to the local community, and has a local community feel.”

On-the-job learning: A fan of The Sun for many years, Watson has enjoyed learning the operations of a newsroom and watching how a newspaper comes together.

Props for The Sun: Leadership is open to varying perspectives and ideas.

After deadline: Watson enjoys playing games with friends, and also enjoys science fiction media such as video games, movies or books. Occasionally, she tries to teach herself how to play the guitar.

Final tidbit: She likes helping bring local, small events or organizations to the forefront, into peoples’ awareness. “Strengthening smaller communities is one of the best things we can do nowadays.”

Kelly Egan, summer intern

Education: Studying at Emerson College, majoring in journalism, she'll graduate in May 2028.

Journalistic experience: Egan worked on her high school newspaper, serving as editor-in-chief in her senior year. She won the Al Neuharth Free Spirit scholarship in 2023. In 2024, she was named New Hampshire Journalist of the Year by the Journalism Education Conference. At Emerson, she is a producer for the “Mornings with George Knight” show on WERS 88.9, and is a member of WEBN-TV Boston, the school’s broadcast news organization. She has also served in leadership roles for the school's news and entertainment shows, and was a correspondent for The Berkeley Beacon, the school newspaper. Last summer, she was a remote news intern for the Union Leader in Manchester, and recently published on Boston.com.

The work: Writing features and news.

On-the-job learning: “I learned a lot about persistence with getting people to talk to you, getting interviews and figuring out different ways to get in touch with people,” she said, noting she has learned from listening to other reporters conduct interviews. “The staff were all good mentors, and we had freedom to pitch stories.”

Props for The Sun: “They very much value community, and what is important to the community,” said Egan, of Londonderry.

After deadline: She loves music and is a big Swiftie, and enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and reading in summertime.

Final tidbit: Print journalism is where her heart is.