Far-Flung Travels creator wins 5 awards

The winners of the 2011 Society of American Travel Writers‘ Central States Writing and Photography Contest have been announced and yours truly won five awards, including “Photographer of the Year.”

According to organizer Kelly Earnest, the contest had “a record 399 entries, including 147 writing submissions and 252 photography submissions.” The judges were Dr. Thomas Hrach and Ashley Wiselock from the University of Memphis’ Department of Journalism and Michael McMullen, photo editor for the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

My winning entries were:
“Rental Sweet Rental” for Lake Erie Living
First Place Writing / Best Travel How-To or Consumer Reporting Article

“Peanut Lady”
First Place Photography / People Category

“Gila Camp”
First Place Photography / Places Category AND Photographer of the Year Award

“Hooping it Up”
Second Place Photography / Action Category

Take a look at this YouTube video, which showcases all the contest entries this year.

Here is the complete list of winners in writing categories:

Best newspaper article on U.S./ Canada
¨ First Place – “Scare up a visit to the Place the Ghost Got In” by Betsa Marsh for Cincinnati Enquirer
¨ Second Place – “Greetings From Pine Island” by Susan Bayer Ward for Journal & Topics Newspapers
¨ Third Place – “Destination Pizza” by Mary Bergin
¨ Honorable Mention – “National World War I Museum” by Lori Erickson for Philadelphia Inquirer

Best magazine article on U.S./ Canada
¨ First Place – “Tibetan Cultural Center in Bloomington, Indiana” by Jackie Sheckler Finch for H&L Magazine
¨ Second Place – “At Play in the Ozarks” by Richard Varr for Coast to Coast
¨ Third Place – “Peak Experience” by Richard Varr for Highways (Digital)
¨ Honorable Mention- “Charting America’s Food Trails” by Donna Tabbert Long for National Geographic Traveler

Best newspaper article on foreign travel
¨ First Place – “SAMOA: Tradition Marches On” by Catherine Watson for Los Angeles Times
¨ Second Place – “Pilgrim’s Progress” by Melanie Radzicki McManus for Minneapolis Star Tribune
¨ Third Place – “A Relaxing Refresh” by Janet Podolak for The News-Herald
¨ Honorable Mention – “Oh, Ticino!” by Susan Bayer Ward for Journal & Topics Newspaper

Best magazine article on foreign travel
¨ First Place – “The Way to Wellness” by Mary Bergin
¨ Second Place – “Things are Cooking in Ireland” by Donna Tabbert Long for AAA Home & Away
¨ Third Place – “Longing For Light” by Lisa Meyer McClintick for Minneapolis Star Tribune
¨ Honorable Mention – “Santorini, Greece” by Dianna Meyer

Best travel “how to” or consumer reporting article
¨ First Place – “Rental Sweet Rental” by Laura Watilo Blake for Lake Erie Living
¨ Second Place – “Searching for Paniolos” by Susan Kraus for Lawrence Magazine
¨ Third Place – “Tips for Trips” by Janet Podolak for The News-Herald
¨ Honorable Mention – “Tips to keep your bags from taking flight” by Gail Todd for Chicago’s Daily Herald

Best series, magazine or newspaper
¨ First Place – “Unique Midwest getaways in rural areas” by Mary Bergin
¨ Second Place – “Spanish Pilgrimage” by Jackie Sheckler Finch for Herald-Times, Bloomington, IN
¨ Third Place – “Turning a new page in Alexandria” by Betsa Marsh for Senior Connection
¨ Honorable Mention – “Burgundy and Champagne, France” by Katherine Rodeghier for Journal & Topics Newspapers

Self-illustrated article
¨ First Place – “Ready for their close-up” by Mary Ellen Botter for The Dallas Morning News
¨ Second Place – “Nuts About Nutcrackers: From Germany’s Ore Mountains comes a Christmas favorite” by Susan R. Pollack for The Detroit News, Homestyle
¨ Third Place – “Distinctively tranquil and undiscovered Cat Island, The Bahamas” by Lorry Heverly for Caribbean Living
¨ Honorable Mention – “Greetings From Pine Island” by Susan Bayer Ward for Journal & Topics Newspapers

Ecology/conservation/preservation
¨ First Place – “The Cinderella House: From bright to beauty” by Susan R. Pollack for The Detroit News, Homestyle
¨ Second Place – “Rustle home offers retreat from modern-day hustle, bustle” by Mary Bergin
¨ Third Place – “Steel City Renaissance” by Richard Varr for Highways
¨ Honorable Mention – “Old Jail” by Jackie Sheckler Finch for H&L

Best travel article appearing on a travel-specific website
¨ First Place – “A Pilgrimage to Vailima” by Catherine Watson for World Hum www.worldhum.com
¨ Second Place – “Hawaii’s Love Affair with SPAM” by Susan Bayer Ward for Home & Away (online) Magazine
¨ Third Place – “Pain in Paradise” by Roberta Sotonoff for Indulged Traveler
¨ Honorable Mention- “Isle Royale National Park” by Susan Bayer Ward for Home & Away (online) Magazine

Best marine travel article
¨ First Place – “Driving Women of Jeju Island” by Susan Bayer Ward for Home & Away (online) Magazine
¨ Second Place – “Swimming with Florida’s endangered darlings” by John Handley for Chicago Tribune
¨ Third Place – “Land of the Midnight Sun” by Harry Shattuck for Houston Chronicle
¨ Honorable Mention – “Adriatic Voyage into the Past” by Janet Podolak for The News-Herald

Best travel commentary
¨ First Place – “Airport Security Deserves a Dressing Down” by Gail Todd for Chicago’s Daily Herald
¨ Second Place – “Don’t keep this Man from his Astros scores” by Harry Shattuck for Houston Chronicle Online chron.com/cruises
¨ Third Place – “Spiritual Journeys” by Lori Erickson for Miami Herald
¨ Honorable Mention – “The relaxing way to go, by rail” by Alan Solomon for Houston Chronicle (online)

Best article on past three meeting sites, featuring Kansas City, Atlanta or Rapid City, and written as a result of chapter meetings in those sites
¨ First Place – “Mt. Rushmore Carver” by Jackie Sheckler Finch for Examiner.com
¨ Second Place – “Out of the Mud, Into Amazing” by Betsa Marsh for Dallas Morning News
¨ Third Place – “Hallmark turns 100” by Harry Shattuck for Houston Chronicle
¨ Honorable Mention – “Gone With the Wind” by Jackie Sheckler Finch for Herald-Times

Henry & Vera Bradshaw Memorial Award
First Place – “A Pilgrimage to Vailima” by Catherine Watson for World Hum www.worldhum.com