Winners announced in 379 Bulletin’s Best categories

OK, I’m not bitter.

Much.

We just published the winners in our Bulletin’s Best contest, and as I was looking through the 379 categories, I took pause at one category in the Community grouping: Best Local Newspaper Columnist.

In case you didn’t know, I am a local newspaper columnist for the Las Cruces Bulletin. I’ve written one weekly for the past nine years.

However, despite that, and despite the Bulletin’s Best contest being presented by my own newspaper, the Las Cruces Bulletin, I did NOT win Best Local Newspaper Columnist. And did I say I’m not bitter? No, I’m not bitter. Much.

I will say there are many more, far more interesting categories than Best Local Newspaper Columnist.

For instance, I am as interested in eating red chile enchiladas (a category won by El Sombrero, with La Posta and Si Senor also placing) as I am in reading local newspaper columns. I am as interested in perusing tequila selections (won by La Posta, with Double Eagle and Si Senor placing) as I am in reading local newspaper columns. And, of course, I am as interested in taking a hike (a category won by Dripping Springs, with Slot Canyon and Aguirre Spring placing) as I am in reading local newspaper columns.

When I have read local newspaper columns, one I’ve really enjoyed reading is “Desert Sage,” written by Algernon D’Ammassa. I’ve actually called and emailed him a couple of times telling him how much I’ve liked some of his columns, despite the fact he works for the Bulletin’s rival newspaper, that daily downtown. However, I didn’t really think about Algernon perhaps winning first place in the Best Local Newspaper Columnist category in the competition presented by my own newspaper. But, yes, he won. And I finished in second place. But, no, I’m not bitter, not much.

I did finish ahead of Algernon’s colleague, Damien Willis, who got third place and whose columns I’ve also enjoyed over the years.

It is not the first time I’ve been grouped with those two guys. A couple of years ago, at Little Toad Creek Brewery (which finished second in Best Brew Pub), the three of us hung out, discussing anything and everything BUT newspaper columns. And, unfortunately, it was open mic night. And, unfortunately, for whatever reason, I felt compelled to go on stage and do my impression of Tom Waits singing the theme from “The Flintstones” TV show.

So, if I am not bothered by going on stage and making a fool of myself that way in public, I certainly can’t be bitter about finishing second in my own newspaper’s contest, right? No, I’m not bitter.

Not much.

Check out all the winners in the Bulletin’s Best special section, coming out with our Friday, Dec. 18, edition. Or go online to the Best Local Website, here:  https://www.lascrucesbulletin.com/bulletins-best/#//