{"id":7954,"date":"2018-08-21T15:03:38","date_gmt":"2018-08-21T15:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitmillerbeach.com\/?p=7954"},"modified":"2018-08-21T16:10:57","modified_gmt":"2018-08-21T16:10:57","slug":"announcing-top-prize-winners-of-the-2018-my-miller-beach-photo-contest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/npowebsites.us\/visitmillerbeach\/2018\/08\/21\/announcing-top-prize-winners-of-the-2018-my-miller-beach-photo-contest\/","title":{"rendered":"Announcing Top Prize Winners of the 2018 \u201cMY MILLER BEACH\u201d Photo Contest"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Positive Stories and Images Help Build Tourism in Miller Beach<\/h3>\n

Miller Beach neighborhood of Gary, Indiana - August 2018<\/small><\/p>\n

The Miller Beach Tourism Bureau enthusiastically awarded top prizes in the inaugural \u201cMy Miller Beach\u201d Photo Contest Award Party at the Marshall Gardner Center for the Arts Tuesday night. The Contest generated over 8,700 votes for the most popular photographs and 375 photo entries on VisitMillerBeach.com. More than 160 people submitted their work.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur new online presence floods the world with positive stories and images about this \u2018the secret gem of the Indiana Dunes\u2019 \u201d said Peggy Blackwell, President of the Miller Beach Tourism Bureau. \u201cOur mission is to be a year round tourism destination, and bring more customers into the great restaurants and boutiques in our historic downtown. Our beaches have been reviewed in the top ten by magazines like Coastal Living, Parents, and National Geographic Traveler.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiller Beach is where the Indiana Dunes national park begins - our continuous buffer of natural dunes creates a stunningly beautiful Lake Michigan experience on our 6 miles of sugar sand beaches.\u201d She continued, \u201cThe national park is part of our DNA - Miller Woods is a hub of activity with the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education and West Beach drawing thousands every year..\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Katie Bohn (Secretary) and Erika Blackwell (Marketing Consultant) promoted the contest to the region on the new VisitMillerBeach Facebook and Instagram pages. Contest photos were taken in Miller Beach, but submitted from all over the country. Vice President Jim Pappas presented the People\u2019s Choice 1st Prize for Mary Lyman\u2019s photo \u201cChild\u2019s Play\u201d. Mary is a former Miller Beach resident, who lives in Colorado. Hilary and Jim Pappas of Miller Beach Vacation Rentals sponsored the People\u2019s Choices Award. \u201cThis made the contest more fun and engaging\u201d Jim remarked. \u201cVoting brought people to our website and all of the content we\u2019re building there.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Calumet Artist Residency judges whittled down the list of 375 submissions to the top 25, then picked 3 winners for the top grand prizes. Sam Love, President of the Calumet Artist Residency, provided context for the judging: \u201cThere were plenty of pictures of the beaches, but I was glad to see other parts of the neighborhood represented. Miller Beach is so much more than just beaches and woods. The cottage homes in our historic downtown district, plus hundreds of lovely mid-century modern homes are what truly define Miller\u2019s character.\u201d<\/p>\n

Treasurer Cullen Ben-Daniel presented the Top Prize to Susan Kelly, a Miller Beach, Gary resident. Her winning photo \u201cLagoon in the Mist\u201d depicted the historic bridges and Calumet Lagoon in Marquette Park. It drew gasps from the crowd for it\u2019s beauty and ethereal quality. Susan was visibly moved as she walked up to claim her prize, \u201c I\u2019m so shocked\u201d, she said, \u201cI was just taking one of my regular walks through town, and snapped this one with my iPhone. I thought it was beautiful, I\u2019m glad you did too!\u201d Second place went to Pat Bytnar for \"A Drinking Town with a Fishing Problem.\" The third place photo was awarded to Thomas Semesky for \"Mural Painting\".<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re overwhelmed by the quantity and quality of the responses\u201d, remarked Hilary Pappas, Chief Technology Officer. \u201cWe will be showcasing these photos and their inspiring descriptions on our website and social media, so that the world can enjoy them too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Legacy Foundation Knight Donor Advised Fund was the lead sponsor of the contest and helped the group hit the ground running.\u201d \u201c Peggy Blackwell said as she thanked Carolyn Saxton, President of the Legacy Foundation.<\/p>\n

Before the holidays, a VisitMillerBeach Calendar is planned to showcasing contest photos. The MBTB also is planning an annual event, and assisting the growing number of vacation rental owners. Partnering with the Miller Business Association and Shops On Lake Street, and the City of Gary, they promote businesses, activities, and community-based events. Miller Beach Tourism Bureau, an all volunteer group, is located in the Miller Beach neighborhood of Gary, Indiana.<\/p>\n

Contact: Peggy Blackwell (810) 348-7380<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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My Miller Beach Photo Contest<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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1st Place Winner<\/h3>\n

\u201cLagoon in the Mist\u201d
\n- by Susan Kelly<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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2nd Place Winner<\/h3>\n

\"A Drinking Town with a Fishing Problem\u201d
\n- by Pat Bytnar <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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3rd Place Winner<\/h3>\n

\"Mural Painting\u201d
\n- by Thomas Semesky <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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People\u2019s Choice Award<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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1st Place Winner<\/h3>\n

\u201cChild\u2019s Play\u201d
\n- By Mary Lyman <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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2nd Place Winner<\/h3>\n

\u201cPaddle Aboard!\u201d
\n- By Cailey D.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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3rd Place Winner<\/h3>\n

\u201cApril-Miller Beach\u201d
\n- By Antonio B<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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