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The Maine Coast Welcome Center is proud to announce the winners of the first annual Maine Coast Welcome Center Photo contest. We had 208 entries and over 3200 votes submitted. Here are the winners:
Each winner supplied a story to go along with their photo. You may read here and zoom in for more detail.
In addition, we have a grand prize winner at the end of this list.
Category: Seafood
My name is Lou of Malden, MA
The title of the photo is "If only...." I saw this huge crustacean while attending the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland in 2009. All I could think of is "Where can I find 5 gallons of drawn butter?"
Category: Camping
My name is Lois-Anne of Orrington, ME
Although I was born and brought up in Maine, I enjoy visiting parts of the state where I have never lived or visited. There are many beautiful places. The sport of Geocaching has guided me to many new places and wonderful views.
This photo was taken on a mid September morning along the shore of Flagstaff Lake. It was early and the beauty before me, along with the quiet, was amazing. Catherdral Pines campground is located in a beautiful, tall, pine forest and offers a gateway to some of Maine's great mountains. They offer a lot including free wi-fi, you can enjoy hikes, paddles and roughing it too. The Town of Eustis has some of the friendliest folks you might find.
Flagstaff Lake was man made and flooded the entire town of Flagstaff. It is in the heart of the mid-Western mountains and fairly near the Applachian Trail. Maine offers the ocean, potato fields, blueberry barriens and mountains, something for everyone, including metropolitan areas and shopping. I am proud to be from Maine and enjoy expanding my knowledge of what we have to offer as well as devouring its beauty and sharing it with others and our visitors.
Category: Family Attractions
My name is Jen of Waterville, ME
This photo was taken at the state park - Popham Beach - and at first I was really disappointed the day was so gloomy and overcast, but I discovered that the beach is beautiful and the ocean magical. It always amazes me that the ocean and beach can look so very different from day to day and that every day is a new day of discovery no matter the weather.
Category: Food
My name is Tammy of Cleveland, Texas,
My husband and I moved our family from Cleveland, Texas (just north of Houston) to Calais, Maine after several years of dreaming and planning. In the search for our own "perfect hometown," we met several friends in the area and were led straight home! We came in search of a healthier, safer and more fulfilling lifestyle in which to raise our three children. We've found more than we ever dreamed possible. Maine has been called "Vacationland" for good reason. We've been here just over a year, and we're still on vacation! We travel the state as often as we're able, photographing our journey as we go along. It's a wonderful life!
My name is Betsy of Belfast, ME
This photo was taken in June 2009, during my first visit to Fort Point Light in Stockton Springs. Part of Fort Point State Park, Fort Point Light is set on a picturesque hill overlooking Penobscot River entrance. A deep blue sky day, wild iris growing beside the remains of Fort Point, and Fort Point Light glistening in the sun, all combined to create an ideal photo opportunity. Fort Point Light was established in 1837, and was the first river light in Maine. A lovely spot to enjoy Maine scenery and history at its best.
Category: Things to Do
My name is Linda of Franklin, Maine.
This picture was taken last summer, when our relatives from Minnesota came to Maine for the first time. They wanted to know what we did for a living. We are clam diggers and here was their experience at our trade. They all said it was the best day of their vacation. This picture is taken in Hogs Bay, Franklin Maine. by Laverna, our 88 year old grandmother, who had never seen us clamming either! This day was a family affair for sure. When they come back to Maine again, clamming is on the top of their list.
Category: State and National Parks
My name is Caroline of Maine.
We were at Young's Lobster Pound in Belfast waiting for our lobsters and clams. The water looked so inviting, my daughter, Kaylee, took her sandals off and started wading in the water. The sun was shining and I couldn't resist capturing the moment. After I took the picture, I took my sandals off and started wading also. What a great time we had!
Category: Agricultural Attractions
My name is Barbara of Union, ME
I came to Maine "from away" with my husband in the mid-90s. The rural, agricultural area of southwestern Pennsylvania is my original home.
Something magical happens whenever I have a chance to see the now familiar MidCoast events and places as a "tourist" in my own back yard. This photo was taken at the Union Fair during one of those times. After a full afternoon of shows, animals, food, and rides, the light and the subject of "Golden Horses" came together as if they had been waiting just for me. The horse pull had not yet begun and both people and animals were in a state of quiet preparation. I admit that I was pretty excited with the results and don't remember which horse won the event.Thanks again for the opportunity to share my love of Maine with the Maine Coast Welcome Center visitors.
My name is Kristin of Connecticut.
This photo was taken on one of my youngest daughter's first trips to Old Orchard Beach. We had rented a condo for a month and went up on the weekends to spend time as a family. My duaughter (aged 10 months in the photo) loved crawling in the sand.
My name is Angela of Atlanta, GA
This photograph was taken on a trip to Bayside, in the town of Northport over our Christmas and New Year holiday. I wanted to capture a sunrise at the beginning of the year, so I went down towards the bay in hopes of capturing a sunrise. I thought the cottages looked like gingerbread houses coated in icing and couldn't resist this shot. Our children are now the fourth generation of our family spending part of our time in Maine.
My name is Donna of Malden, MA
Before purchasing our home in Maine we ventured to Mid-Coast Maine several times a year. Each time we visited we stayed at the Limerock Inn in Rockland. I took this picture of our former “home away from home” during the Holiday House and Inn Tour that was part of Rockland’s Festival of Lights Celebration in 2009.
My name is Michelle of Portland
"The coast of Maine is truly a special and unique place. I enjoy going for walks along sandy Willard Beach and always admire this incredible view of Spring Point Light and Fort Gorges looking out towards the islands in Casco Bay. You can watch the boats leisurely sail by as they, too, enjoy the beautiful view!"
My name is Julie of Winterport
This is a photo of my cat, Meara contemplating life. (Pets don't need vacations)
My name is Ryan from Boston.
This photo was taken at dusk on Lake Millinocket in Baxter State Park. A group of us head up every summer to hike Mt. Katahdin and the view over the lake and up the side of the mountain is a breathtaking sight. Although I had taken dozens of photos of the mountain that day the best shot turned out to be one without the mountain in it at all.
My name is Ryan Gilbertie and I’m from Boston.
This photo was taken at dusk on Lake Millinocket in Baxter State Park. A group of us head up every summer to hike Mt. Katahdin and the view over the lake and up the side of the mountain is a breathtaking sight. Although I had taken dozens of photos of the mountain that day the best shot turned out to be one without the mountain in it at all.
My name is Charles of Searsmont, Me
The eagle was shot on Lake Quantibacook from the ice as I was walking my
dog. I frequently bring my camera and watch for eagles. The photo is a
mature eagle, around four years old. Evidence of this is the true white
head and tail feathers. I believe it is a female due to it's large size.
The grand prize winner was Charles Hamm of Searsmont, ME. Charles is a teacher at Belfast High School and travels the world when he can photographing nature. His winning photo was taken this past winter at Lake Quantibacook in Searsmont.
Charles won a stay the the Mira Monte Inn in Bar Harbor.
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Last year, we worked diligently trying to keep track of lots of calendars to find out what was going on in our areas. Then we found WhoFish, a great on-line calendar covering the whole state of Maine.