Contest Winners For the 2009 Calendar Are Announced

Winners of the 25th annual photograph contest for Mackinac Island Recreation Development's 2009 Seasons of Mackinac calendar have been announced. The annual contest was held during the Island's Winter Festival Sunday, February 4.

A record 289 photographs were entered for this year's 25th anniversary year by 52 photographers from Mackinac Island and 11 states. The number of entries broke the previous record of 222, which was set in 2002. Contestants were judged by those attending the festival, and 115 votes were cast.

The following are the winning photographs, in order by month:

Front Cover - "Gateway to Mackinac's Historic links - Wawashkamo," and "Winter entry to Wawashkamo Golf Club," both by Sam Garrow of Marquette;

January - "Frosty Mackinac delivery service," by Jewel Geyer of Mackinac Island;

February - "Stately summer cottage adorned in white winter finery," by Greg Main of Mackinac Island;

March - "Straits of Mackinac 1948 lighthouse stands witness to 59th spring ice flow," by Marcia and Tom Tomlinson of Mackinac Island;

April - "Unique view from 150 feet above the Island's east shoreline," by Sam Garrow of Marquette;

May - "Tours and tulips, time slows to enjoy the beautiful Island spring," by Jane Arndt of Big Rapids;

June - "Lilacs in full bloom on the Straits of Mackinac shoreline," by Andrea Rodriquez of San Antonio, Texas;

July - "Reflective evening harbor during annual yacht races," by Greg Main;

August - "Opalescent sunset blankets a Mackinac Bridge view," by Lynn Leone of Macomb;

September - "Eight Mile Run Around the Island makes it's pass through Main Street," by Greg Main;

October - "Bikes and more bikes all in a row come each fall," by Mike Hart of Mackinac Island;

November - "Grand Hotel dusted by an early snow," by Sara D. Chambers of Mackinac Island;

December - "The Huron decked out for the holidays," by Mike Hart.

MIRD's 2008 calendar is now available at various businesses on Mackinac Island for $10 each. Proceeds support community recreation on Mackinac Island.

The photograph contest for the 2010 Seasons of Mackinac calendar will be held at the Island's next Winter Festival in February 2008, usually the first weekend of the month.

Photographs that are to be submitted to the contest must be at least 8.5 inches by 10 inches and in color. A fee of $2 is assessed for each photograph to allow MIRD to return materials back to the owners. Be sure to mark what season each photograph depicts, spring, summer, fall, or winter.

Photographs can be sent to MIRD at P.O. Box 421, Mackinac Island, Michigan 49757.