Jane Curtis

Jane Curtis, the Daily Freeman-Journal’s interim editor, was named Master Columnist for her work with the DFJ by the Iowa Newspaper Association Thursday.

The award was announced during the INA’s annual awards ceremony in Des Moines.

The columns for which Curtis was honored were entitled “Dean Bowden wants to seed dreams,” “I didn’t know,” and “A humble man made beautiful donuts.”

The DFJ won six other first-place awards in the following categories: Best Editorial Page, Best Feature Page, Coverage of Government and Politics, Community Leadership, Best Use of Graphics, and Best Web Advertisement.

Terry Christensen, the DFJ’s publisher, accepted the awards on behalf of Curtis and DFJ Advertising Director Trevor Christensen.

The DFJ took second place in General Excellence and Best Headline Writing, and third place in Total Newspaper Design, Best Ad Featuring Grocer/Food/Entertainment, and Best Ad Featuring Furniture, Furnishings, Appliances or Hardware.

Curtis is in her second interim with the DFJ. Previously, she was editor of The Messenger, Fort Dodge; managing editor of The New Milford Times, New Milford, Connecticut; and founding managing editor of The Washington Eagle, Washington, Connecticut. Her journalism degree is from Iowa State University; her graduate work in acting and creative writing was done at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut.