Bonnie Lee Strunk, a writer and photographer for The Press weekly newspapers, received four awards during the National Federation of Press Women's annual conference Sept. 20-22 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

All four entries previously won first place in state competition sponsored by Pennsylvania Press Club this past spring.

Strunk's national awards included first place in the photo essay category for "Journey from vine to wine," featuring Monterre Vineyards in Orefield; second place in feature photo category for "Gimpie's grape," which prompted the judges to write, "Cute animal photo. That has to be the fattest squirrel the judges have ever seen."

Strunk also won second place in personality profile category for her article on Rooster Valentini of Slatington, advocate for homeless children.

The judges said Valentini "comes off as an interesting guy; the reader gets a sense of knowing the man."

Strunk won a third place award for her column, Living the Vintage Years, in the informational columns category.

The judges commented, "Great writing liked the personal stories. Gave great ideas that were fresh."

While in Arizona, Strunk participated in an author event at the conference hotel.

She also signed copies of her book, "They Call Me Mommy: The Tale of an Eastern Gray Squirrel."