A dramatic dive caught at just the right second earned Examiner photojournalist Martin C. Barry the top prize for Best Feature Photo of the year at the Quebec Community Newspapers Association's awards banquet last Friday.

Barry was awarded first prize in the category for his Sept. 4 front-page photo of a diver suspended in freeze-frame high above the water, shot on the last day of the season at the Westmount municipal pool.

That was not the only award the Examiner took home. In the Best Editorial Cartoon category, Ferg Gadzala earned second prize for his lampoon of the recent squirrel-feeding controversy in Westmount Park. Ferg's cartoon showed a Public Security officer about to be devoured by a massive, overweight squirrel who is obviously not happy about losing this easy supply of food.

Also recognized was Editor Wayne Larsen for his weekly Commentary column, which earned an honourable mention, as did Red Shannon's feature profile of local musician Belfast Andi.