Photo contest focuses on Hopewell Valley lore

HONORING HOPEWELL’S HISTORY

   The Hopewell Township Historic Preservation Commission, the Hopewell Valley Regional School District and the Hopewell Valley News (HVN) challenge you to prove your knowledge of the region’s rich historical landscape by entering the "2006 Honoring Hopewell’s History Photo Contest," which begins this week.
   Over the next several months, clues to eight historic landmarks in the Valley will appear in the HVN. Those correctly identifying the landmarks and submitting photographs of them will be eligible for cash prizes up to $100 and a chance at having their history-smart photography appear in the 2007 Township of Hopewell calendar. Winning photographers also will have their work published in the HVN.
   Here’s how it works — In September and October, the HVN will publish clues to help identify historic landmarks in the Valley. Landmarks have been chosen for a Junior (18 and below) Contest and four more for an Adult (19 and above) Contest. In each of the two months, clues for two landmarks will be printed (one each in the Junior and Adult contests). Tthe Hopewell Township Historic Preservation Commission and school district will select the winning photographs in color and black and white categories in both Adult and Junior contests for each of the two months.
   The HVN will publish these winning photographs in the month following their selection. All winning photographs will be entered into the Grand Prize contest for the township calendar — to be held in November 2006.
   The contests are:
   • Cut & Crush — Clues will be published Thursdays, through Sept. 28. Photos will be due Oct. 13. Winning photos will be published in November.
   • Young & Old — Clues will be published Oct. 5 through 26. Photos will be due Nov. 13. Winning photos will be published in December.
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   Clues for Contest 3, "Cut and Crush" are:
   For Junior Category — Slice the winter ice in Pleasant Valley and store it here in sawdust for the rest of the year.
   For Adult Category — Diabase to trap in this 29-side tower.
   Contest rules:

   Who may participate? Residents of Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough or Pennington Borough. Entries will be accepted from the following age groups: Junior – 18 and below; Adult – 19 and above. Members of the Hopewell Township Historic Preservation Commission and staff of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District and Hopewell Township government involved in running the contest are not permitted to enter the contest.
   What can be submitted? Digital photos (no less than 300 dpi) are preferred, although color and black and white photo prints also will be accepted. Only photos that correctly identify the monthly contest’s historic landmark will be accepted. Up to three entries in each category (color; black and white) may be submitted per contest.
   How should entries be submitted? Digital photos must be submitted on a CD. Color or black and white photo prints must be 8 by 10 inches and should not be mounted or folded. Entries must specifically indicate the name of the contest and the name of the historic landmark.
   Where should entries be sent? Entries should be delivered or sent to: Hopewell Township Historic Preservation Commission, 201 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, 08560.
   When should entries be submitted? Entries will be accepted for each monthly contest no later than the deadline indicated in the schedule indicated above.
   How will the winning photos be selected? The Hopewell Township Historic Preservation Commission and the Hopewell Valley Regional School District will select the winning entries taking into account photographic technique, communication of subject matter and aesthetic appeal.
   Are there prizes? In addition to having the winning monthly contest entries published in the HVN, a Grand Prize contest will be held in December 2006. The overall first place winner will receive $100; second place – $50; third place – $25. Prizes will be awarded within each age group for color and for black and white. The Grand Prize winning entries will be considered for publication in the 2007 Township Calendar and may be displayed on the township’s Wed site or printed in newsletters and other publications or exhibited throughout the Valley.
   General guidance — All historic landmarks are located within Hopewell Township, Pennington Borough or Hopewell Borough. The contest name will provide a general clue as to the landmark subject. Contestants will find the necessary source materials for identifying landmarks in local libraries. If not actually located on public property, all landmark subjects are visible from public land. In taking photographs contestants should be sure to respect the rights of private property owners and to request access if they feel it necessary to venture on to private land to take a photograph.
   The information given above will appear under Hopewell News on the HVN Web site — www.hopewellvalleynews.com — for the duration of the contest period.