The Catskill Chronicle

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (November 4. 2014) – The Sullivan County Visitors Association’s has announced the results of its inaugural Fall Foliage Photo Contest. One hundred seventy-four photos were submitted by 91 different photographers, with nearly 1,000 votes cast.

“We were overwhelmed by the level of participation; the images submitted – including a couple shots using a drone – were just incredible,” SCVA President Roberta Byron-Lockwood said. “The contest definitely helped to shine a bright light on Sullivan County Catskills’ amazing natural beauty.”

Earning nearly 90 votes, Manhattan resident Ann Starrs Freedman came in First Place with her image (above) of a serene reflection off Kauneonga Lake behind The Fat Lady Café.

Freedman, who owns a second home in Jeffersonville, took the image during a weekend trip to the region with her husband. An amateur photographer, Freedman learned of the contest through the SCVA’s weekly events eblasts. She never expected to win, she said, but still encouraged a few of her friends to vote for her submission online.

“I took so many pictures that night of the sunset,” Freedman said. “We lucked out with this photo.”

Close behind were Gabriel Espinosa (right), Stefanie Phillips (below left), and Megan Myers (below right), who came in Second, Third, and Fourth Place respectively. The SCVA also awarded honorable mentions to Bonnie Haluska, Amy Callihan-Raymond, Kathy Farrey, and Kevin Kreischer.

“It’s gratifying to know that so many who appreciate Sullivan County’s natural beauty were willing to share their own perspectives through these incredible images,” said Elaine Fettig, co-chair of the SCVA Board of Directors. “It certainly demonstrates to the world the love people have for this region. We’re already looking forward to seeing what people come up with for our next contest.”

All eight winners were awarded various prizes contributed by eight different SCVA member businesses. Those businesses included Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop, Sullivan County Farmers’ Markets, The Heron Restaurant, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, The Country Bum’kin Antiques, Natural Contents Kitchen, Morgan Outdoors, and Body, Mind & Spirit Wellness Center.

“The SCVA wants to offer a huge thank-you to all our sponsors and our entrants who helped make our inaugural photo contest such a success,” Byron-Lockwood said. “In fact, plans are in the works for our next contest.”

“We all know that nothing beats Autumn in the Sullivan County Catskills – except maybe Winter,” she added.

Explore all of the submissions by visiting the Sullivan County Visitors Association’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SullivanCountyCatskills.