By Amy Modesti
It was a festive St. Patrick’s Day at the Berlin Free Town Library. Residents gathered at the facility to listen to Irish music and celebrate the library’s 125th Anniversary with its first ever “Smart Phone Photo Contest.”
Over 60 photographers, ranging in ages of 6-68, participated. The opening reception was held Sunday March 17. A group of six regional musicians performed Irish songs all afternoon while patrons enjoyed some tasty Irish treats.
Since its inception 125 years ago, the Berlin Free Town Library has been a community hub for learning and growth. It’s a place to converse with peers, read books and e-books, and participate in many of the library’s community activities year-round.
“We have to embrace the technology of today,” said trustee, Rebekah Lamphere, who organized the smart phone photo contest. With so many children and adults using kindles and iPads to read e-books and work on homework assignments or use their cell phones to take photographs and communicate with their friends and family, technology has taken over our society and the way people learn and gather information..
The subject matter that was featured in the show ranged from people, animals, buildings, interior shots, and local attractions that make up the eastern section of Rensselaer County, including the Peace Pagoda, First Pond at Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton Town Library, the Route 43 and 22 intersection in Stephentown, Dunham Reservoir, and other locations and local hang outs. All these various subject matters help shape what “community” is all about in each framed piece that is on view at the library year-round.
The three top winners received a framed copy of their photograph and a monetary prize. Eleven honorable mentions received ribbons for their best of show photographs. The top three winners were Nancy Lamphere (3rd place and $25 for “Sunset at First Pond”), Dianne Mosher (2nd place for “At the Barn with Grandpa,” $50 that she donated back to the library), and Brooke Lockett (1st place for “Morning Coffee,” $100). The honorable mentions include Brianna Reger (“The Light of Growth”), Maddison Crandall (“Our History” and “Our Roots Our Future”), Taylor Beers (“One Foot Forward”), Collin Douglas (“Camper With View”), Sarah Lindell-Grynn (“Post Office”), Roseanne Sherry (“Nosey Neighbor”), Camden Maddox (“Grafton by Wagon,” the youngest photographer at 6 yrs.), Ella Duncan (“Falling In Love With the Library”), and Bob Mayo (“Approaching the Peace Pagoda” and “November Sunrise on Taconic Lake,” oldest photographer at 68 yrs.).
This summer, the Berlin Free Town Library will be having another photo contest for residents to participate in and submit their best summer photo and best Berlin Town Parade photo. The theme for the upcoming show will be “Summertime in the Community.”