State Park Service names ‘Making Memories’ photo contest winners for winter quarter

When Brian Fox spotted a salamander in the wilds of Lake Wateree State Park, the moment wasn’t just inspirational. It was ultimately award-winning.

The Blythewood resident was visiting the park when he captured a photograph of the salamander before it disappeared below the leaf litter in the woods.

His image has been selected one of three winning photos in the South Carolina State Park Service’s Making Memories photo contest for the winter quarter. The contest invites people to visit state parks throughout the seasons, snap photos of their memories and submit them for a chance to win prizes.

“I was walking the Desportes Island nature trail when I spotted a great blue heron wading in a nearby wooded low flat,” said Fox, who claimed first place in the Wildlife category.

“As I walked towards the heron in hopes of getting a photograph, I stumbled on a half rotten log and exposed a spotted salamander,” he said. “Although I didn’t get a picture of the great blue heron, I did manage to take several photos of the salamander before it disappeared below the leaf litter.”

Kendle Enter of Ladson claimed first place in the People category for a photograph of her daughter enjoying the otter exhibit in the Animal Forest at Charles Towne Landing. Ladson said they visit the park often and the Animal Forest is a favorite.

Walhalla Middle School band teacher Gena Sykes Turpin of West Union captured first place in the Landscape category for her sunset photograph at Oconee Station State Historic Site.

Turpin said she was driving around looking for things to photograph and decided to drive up to Oconee Station and walked around looking for beautiful pictures.

“As I was leaving, the sun was setting and I saw the beautiful shadow it was casting around that tree,” she said. “It was stunning and I knew it would make an amazing picture.”

Each winner received a prize package valued at $200, including a gift certificate from Mast General Store, a State Park Service Park Passport Plus and an Official Guide to South Carolina State Parks. The three will be entered into a contest for the grand prize – an ultimate outdoor adventure package valued at $1,000.

The Park Service is accepting submissions for the spring quarter competition. The submission deadline is May 31. Instructions on submitting photography for the contest can be found at www.SCMakingMemories.com.

Jazz Under the Stars

The Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County and the city of Camden will present a free weekend of jazz in historic downtown Camden this coming weekend.

“Jazz Under the Stars” will be held Friday and Saturday at various venues.

The weekend will kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday at the City’s new Broad Street Park at Rutledge and Broad Streets.

Jeff Liberty will start the evening, followed by Palmetto Nights. The Mark Rapp Group will close out the night. Rutledge Street will be closed during the event between Broad and Church streets and food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The Camden Middle School Jazz Band, under the direction of Nancy Neal, will perform at 9 a.m. Saturday at the recently relocateted Farmers Market, 222 Broad St., on the grounds of Historic Camden.

The Mike Frost Band will perform at 9:30 p.m. Saturdy at the Venue On Broad, 1020 Broad St.

Between the two Saturday concerts, guests are invited to enjoy the downtown shops and historic sites and have a leisurely lunch or dinner.

This story was originally published April 19, 2015 at 11:32 PM with the headline "State Park Service names ‘Making Memories’ photo contest winners for winter quarter."