REFLECTIONS

This has to be a highlight of my newspaper career, thus far. 

I have won a few newspaper awards over my 60-year-plus newspaper career, but just to be a very small part of the Steele County Times, makes me proud.

The Mills Trophy, awarded to the top weekly each year, was established in 1982 in honor of the late Charles Edward Mills who founded the Montevideo American-News. 

Four sons and three grandsons listed on the trophy have all been publishers of Minnesota newspapers and three, Russell, L.D. “Tip” and Everett S. Mills were the only brother combination ever to serve as presidents of the Minnesota Newspaper Association.

I was in the house at the 158th Annual Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest on Jan. 30, when Steele County Times owner and publisher Rick Bussler accepted the Mills Trophy as the state’s best weekly newspaper. 

The Steele County Times won 24 awards, plus the Mills Trophy. The Times was represented by nine staffers.

Go back in history of the Mills Trophy and find out that the Brownton Bulletin won the Mills Trophy. A 17-year-old identified as Rick Bussler was part of the Brownton Bulletin at that time.

Bussler was in eighth grade when he was introduced to the newspaper business in Brownton. As time went on, Bussler could truthfully say that he knew every job at the Brownton newspaper. 

Bussler has owned The Times for 16 years. When looking to purchase a community newspaper, Bussler said he looked at Blooming Prairie as a “vibrant community.” He made that revelation when recently speaking to a Cargill Citizens Advisory Panel (CAP) meeting in Blooming Prairie.

He also owns the Dodge County Independent.

This businessman has always been a supporter of recognizing good journalism and newspaper design. His mother June Bussler and the late Clifford Bussler have followed their son’s career very closely.

Bussler always trademarks his columns by using “in Hot Pursuit” in the last paragraph of his columns.

He was the subject of a 126-page book entitled “Hot Pursuit.” It was printed in 2009.

Bussler says, “For those of you who may not be familiar with me, I have a strong journalistic backbone in which I will not settle for mediocrity. I am constantly challenging my staff — and even myself to some degree — to become better at what we do.”

I was first introduced to Bussler at the Minnesota State Fair by Cindi and Darrell Hansen of Blooming Prairie. At that time, Bussler said he was always “in hot pursuit” of an experienced writer.

I thank Rick for allowing me to extend my newspaper career at the Steele County Times.