There was a precedent-setting turnout on Wednesday evening, Jan. 24, for the Wood River Land Trust's third annual Heart of the Valley winner announcements at the Images of Nature Gallery in Ketchum.
In front of a packed house, awards were given to the top three writing submissions and the top three photograph entries. In addition, the contest acknowledged honorable mentions and staff picks for both writing and photography.
"This year's contest was great and had twice the amount of submissions, and the photographs were amazing," said Heather Kimmel, program and membership coordinator for the Wood River Land Trust. The theme for the contest centered on people and how the valley is a part of their lives.
"People really focused on the importance of family and community. In the past we had a lot of entries on places and animals," Kimmel said. "It was really fun to hear everyone's reaction and recognizing peoples' favorite places and seeing them through someone else's eyes."
Land trust executive director Scott Boettger was on hand to congratulate the winners and Kimmel for her enterprising efforts.
"I focus on doing projects in an effort to protect the land," Kimmel said. "Heart of the valley meant something to me. It takes a true community to show the entire breath of the valley."
The contest was sponsored by Bank of America with prize donations by Silver Creek Outfitters, Iconoclast Books, Lost River Outfitters, Flolo's Imaging Center and Sacred Bear Framing. In addition, there were several judges in attendance, "who gave a lot of time and intensive discussion for what it took to represent the heart of the valley," Kimmel said.
At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb 21, there will be a reading of selected writing submissions at Iconoclast Books in Ketchum. For more details, call 788-3947.
Stephen Gerrish won first prize for the writing division for his short story, "The Friend."
"I love to fish the Big Wood. I usually fish alone, and find myself in places where I will not encounter others. The river courses this valley, its rhythm and flow connecting us, our towns and celebrations, ranches and mountain tributaries. But my relationship to the river is a private affair. My time on the river and my encounters—an elk in the middle of winter, and owl at dusk—hold as still in memory as a trout in current. I am selfish about this. So it was unusual when one September evening I encountered another man, fishing the Big Wood in West Ketchum, and we shared the river and our stories for
1st Place, ?Foxy Lady? by Glen Shapiro.
