The Shadow
The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism has announced the winners of the eighth annual Uniquely Alleghany! calendar photo contest.
The winners were announced Wednesday, Nov. 13, at a reception held at the Alleghany Highlands Visitors Center.
Darren Seay was named the Grand Prize winner with his image titled “Jackson River Sunset,” a beautiful image of an evening sunset over the Jackson River below Gathright Dam
Darren has been a resident of Covington/Alleghany?County his entire life. He grew up in South Covington where he enjoyed the great outdoors. His dad Bert gave him a small 35mm camera he got from the mill as a safety prize.
It was just a simple little camera, nothing fancy. Darren would take it with him on his many outdoor adventures when he was a teenager. He later bought a better 35mm camera and started doing some wildlife photography.
When the digital age came, Darren bought a Pentax digital SLR camera and a good landscape lens. Digital really got him hooked on photography and opened a whole new world for him.
He has met a lot of great photographers and learned many new things in the recent years. Most of all, he has some awesome Facebook friends and family who keep him going with their “likes” and comments.
Darren works at WestRock and lives in Covington with his wife Pam and his son Brandon.
The following photographers won the 12 monthly spots: Darren Seay, three images; Jada Callender, two images; and Greg Persinger, Chuck Almarez, Tripp Curry, Beverly Bowers, Gavin Dressler, Donna Rhodes and Angie Hine-baugh, one image each.
“With all of the incredible images we had to choose from this year, we have once again included thumbnail images within each month to further show what makes us ‘Uniquely Alleghany!’”, said Josh Taylor, contest coordinator.
These images are from photographers Gavin Dressler and Bonnie Keyser, three images each; Robin Hall and Keely Noffsinger Massie, two images each; and Anita Unroe, Jada Callender, Crystal Demonbreun, Beverly Bowers, Donna Rhodes, Chuck Almarez and Angie Hinebaugh, one image each.
Over 100 entries were received from local photographers. Locals, visitors, amateurs, and professionals were invited to enter the contest.
Each photographer was permitted to enter up to seven images, and all entries were eligible for the Grand Prize. The Grand Prize entry will be on the cover with a small bio about the winner.
“We had so many amazing images of the Alleghany Highlands and we enjoyed seeing how photographers viewed what makes the Alleghany Highlands so unique,” said Taylor. “It is a wonderful feature that our calendar is comprised of photos taken by local residents of the Alleghany Highlands and that you don’t have to be considered a professional to enter the contest.”
Each year, the Chamber also picks an image to use for its Christmas card and that went to Darren Seay with a beautiful photo of a snowy Humpback Bridge with a Christmas wreath hanging over the letter “O” on the Loveworks sign.
“The calendars have been very popular the past seven years and make great Christmas gifts,?said Teresa Hammond, chamber executive director.
“The 2020 calendar is printed and ready to be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce office/Visitors Center at Mallow Mall/Highland Centre at 110 Mall Road in Covington. “We thank our community for their continued support of this project.”
The calendars sell for $10 each and can be shipped with an additional shipping and handling fee. Call the chamber at (540) 962-2178 if you would like to have your calendars shipped.
“Don’t forget to start taking photos now for next years’ contest,” Taylor urged, “and don’t forget about festivals and events where you can get great images as well.”
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The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism has announced the winners of its eighth annual Uniquely Alleghany! calendar photo contest. The winners were announced during a reception held Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Alleghany Highlands Visitors Center. Front row, from left: Donna Rhodes, Angie Hinebaugh, Beverly Bowers, Crystal Demonbreun. Middle row: Chuck Almarez, Anita Unroe, Bonnie Keyser, Tripp Curry, Robin Hall. Back row: GavinDressler, Grand Prize winner Darren Seay, Greg Persinger, Jada Callender. (Photo Courtesy Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism)
