Reprinted with permission of
the Journal-News
From the JournalNews
By Linda Ebbing
HAMILTON — January’s second annual IceFest attracted
thousands of spectators to downtown Hamilton and 67 came with camera in
hand. The first photography contest
held in conjunction with IceFest was deemed a success by organizers.
“We had 67 outstanding entries and the judging was very
difficult and challenging,” said contest co-chair Bill Hartford, a retired
banker and amateur photographer. “The variety and complexity of photographs
were beyond what we expected. All the entries were excellent and well
presented.”
2003 IceFest Photography Contest final results:
First Place: Jim Dwyer, Harrison; “The Turquoise Seahorse;”
Second Place: David Burkart, Hamilton, “Think There’s Been Enough Winter?”;
Third Place: Christopher Staggs, Middletown, “Fire and Ice;” Fourth place: Rick
Hogan, Hamilton, “Steeple Spray;” Fifth Place: Randall Stigall, Hamilton,
“Liberty Juxtaposed;”
The Edward Kezur Award: Best Black and White of Contest: Kim
Sparks, Hamilton, “Shining in the Night.”
Honorable Mention: Bridget Burkart, Hamilton, “Just Winging
It;” Maureen Dwyer, Harrison, “The Archer;” Kim Sparks, Hamilton, “Lady in
Blue;” Bob Stothfang, Cincinnati, “Frosty the Sculptor;” Patricia F. Weisbrodt,
Hamilton, “Let's Soar.”
Second place winner Burkart said he took six to eight
pictures but only entered one, a picture of a sculpture of a fairy crouching
down talking to the man in the moon. “It just seemed like she was possibly
asking ‘think there’s been enough winter?”’ Burkart said. “We all know the
answer to that and with her being ice, she would probably feel there has been
enough winter also.”
John Moser, retired Common Pleas Court Judge and contest
co-chair, said he gives a lot of credit to Hartford. “Bill worked very hard on
the contest,” Moser said. “It was Bill Hartford’s expertise in this area that
made the contest so successful.” Picking a winner was difficult, he said. “All 67 pictures were great, that’s what
made judging so difficult.”
A special Ed Kezur Award was set up for black-and-white
photographs in memory of the late Hamilton psychiatrist Kezur, who was a
widely-exhibited photographer, according to Hartford. “We want to thank
everyone who took the time and made the effort to enter the contest ... a job
well done,” Hartford said
The winning 11 photographs will be on display at The Fifth
Third Bank Downtown Hamilton Office at High Street and Third Street through
March 14 during regular banking hours.
Judges for this contest were: Pat Brown, professional photographer and owner of Brown Studios; David Moss, professional photographer and owner of Image Photography; David Noland, owner of Noland Camera Shop; Moser and Hartford.