Louise Bixby’s photo capturing the glow of sunrise on a snowy October morning at Higley Flow in South Colton was the “people’s choice” in the first Raquette River Awareness Week Photo Contest.

More than 350 voters overall selected the South Colton resident’s photo from the 113 entries that the Raquette River Blueway Corridor Advisory Committee received in this first-ever event for Raquette River Awareness Week.

Photos were received from people living throughout the 174-mile river corridor and from as far away as Illinois.

“Given the short period of time we gave people to submit photos, this was a tremendous response,” noted Jim Murphy, who helped coordinate this year’s contest. “We were all particularly impressed not only with the quality of the entries, but with the wide variety of photos we received. We received everything from beautiful landscapes and sunsets, to people pictures depicting all the many ways we enjoy the Raquette. The diversity of the photos we received truly reflects the wide assortment of things we do and love about the river.”

Second place went to Judy Andrus Toporcer of Colton for her photo “Sunset Paddle,” while third place went to Robert Whalen of South Colton for his photo “Moonlight Rises on Chilly Night.”

The three top winners received special prizes donated to the Raquette River Blueway Corridor group, including two tickets to an upcoming performance by the acclaimed Orchestra of Northern New York, a beautiful Amish-built black cherry stool donated by Catamount Lodge near South Colton, and a scrumptious gift basket of gourmet chocolate provided by St. Lawrence Chocolates in Potsdam.

The top 15 photos will also be included in a Raquette River Blueway Corridor 2011 calendar, which will be on sale soon through members of the Blueway Corridor Committee and via the Raquette River Blueway Corridor website, http://racquetteriver.com/.

Proceeds will be used to help fund next year’s Raquette River Awareness Week programs and activities.

Anyone interested in purchasing the calendar, for $10 each, should email the Raquette River Blueway Corridor Advisory Committee at raquetteriver@localnet.com

The process of selecting the top photos was one of the highlights of this year’s Raquette River Awareness Week, held July 31 through Aug. 8 in several locations along the river. Anyone who attended any of these events had an opportunity to view and vote on their favorite photos. People also had an opportunity to vote on line via flickr.

The Raquette River Awareness Week Planning Committee is already planning for next year’s third annual Awareness Week. Anyone interested in working with the volunteer group is encouraged to call Jim Murphy at 328-5257.

Raquette River Awareness Week Photo Contest Winners:

“Snowy October Sunrise” by Louise Bixby, South Colton

“Sunset Paddle” by Judy Andrus Toporcer, Colton

“Moonlight Rises on Chilly Night” by Robert Whalen, So. Colton

“Fire in the Sky” by Chris Murphy, Colton

“Reflections” by Elizabeth Siematkowski, Potsdam

“Pink at Night” by Madison G. Laubscher, Potsdam

“Nap Before Lunch” by Judy Andrus Toporcer, Colton

“Fall Colors at Higley” by Chris Murphy, Colton

“Raquette near Childwold” by Bob Bixby, South Colton

“Gazebo Sunset” by Madison G. Laubscher, Potsdam

“Thrill of It All” by Chris Murphy, Colton

“View from Uncle Frank’s Deck” by Tricia Lindermam Loves Park, Il.

“Frozen River” by Tracy Thomas, Tupper Lake

“Rainbow Falls at Sunset” by Tricia Linderman, Loves Park, Il.

“Raquette Falls” by Bob Bixby, South Colton

All photos can still be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/raquette_contest/