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Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW Rosalind Makowiec first started using her digital camera three or four years ago. She said she was always taking pictures of things in nature and old homes and buildings, but she never thought of entering her photographs in any contests. Her friend, who she's known since they were 13 years old, convinced her to enter a photo she had taken of a greenhouse at Meadowbrook Farm in a calendar contest put on by Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom. Makowiec was surprised when she was informed her photo was chosen as one of 12 out of more than 350 to represent a month in the organization's 2008 calendar. "I never would have thought they would've picked me," the budding photographer said. She took the picture of the greenhouse in May of last year and the photo represents the month of May in the calendar. "It's always so beautiful at the greenhouse," Makowiec said. "In May it's in full bloom." From the success she earned through this contest, this grandmother said she would like to enter other photography contests. "It's fun to show people the pictures you take," she said. "Years ago, I didn't think I could take a picture without cutting peoples' heads off," she laughed. The other winners of the calendar contest were honored in a ceremony on Massachusetts Day (Sept. 20) at the Big E. Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs Ian A. Bowles and Acting Commissioner of Agricultural Resources Scott Soares presented each winner with a certificate, two tickets to the Big E, a "Massachusetts grown ... and fresher!" logo hat and two calendars featuring his or her photography. Makowiec said she's bought an additional $70 worth of calendars to give to friends, family and area businesses. "Romito's has one and Coughlin's Place has one," she said. The calendars, sold for $10 each or $5 each for orders of five or more, are available at Whole Foods grocery stores and through Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, P.O. Box 345, Seekonk, MA 02771. All proceeds from the calendar go toward promoting agricultural education in schools throughout the Commonwealth. Debi Hogan, a spokesperson for Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, said the calendars raised approximately $4,000 for educational programs last year. Those interested in entering the photo contest next year can find rules online at www.aginclassroom.org. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2008. | ||||||
