Departments

PEOPLE

FIRST PLACE

“Opening Day”
Ryan Lanning, Appleton
April weather in Wisconsin can be unpredictable, but our love for baseball is undying. The beautiful irony of this image is that it was taken by a former Fang mascot. Ryan Lanning served as Fang while he was a college student and took this photo on the Timber Rattlers opening day of the 2017 season. The judges appreciated how the photo captured two iconic figures of the Fox Cities in a way they are rarely seen, as well as the humor it evoked. “It’s whimsical and fun,” Palmer said. “I like how the mascots seem to be unaware that their photo is being taken.” Volkman agreed. “It’s all about the lean,” he said. “It makes me laugh.”

SECOND PLACE

“Setting Sails”
Geneva Franzke, Neenah
It’s a common sight in the Fox Cities – sailors and boaters preparing to embark on a journey around Lake Winnebago. In this image, Rick Franzke of Neenah is doing just that. “I’m a water guy, so I see people like that all the time out on the lake,” Volkman said. Van Grinsven viewed the image as telling a story with an uncertain ending. “It looks like the light on him may be coming from an impending storm,” she said. Photographer Geneva Franzke confirms this theory. “Storms circled the lake and luckily stayed away from the waters until we sailed a bit and returned to the docks after 9 p.m. that night,” she said. “Then it down poured on the guys!”

THIRD PLACE

“Eyes to the Horizon: Kristin Diable”
Elena Jane Anderla, Appleton
Appleton resident Elena Jane Anderla took this photograph during Mile of Music, one of the Fox Valley’s most anticipated annual music festivals. Louisiana singer-songwriter Kristin Diable was performing in Jones Park as part of the festival and become the subject of Anderla’s award-winning shot. “Her 1970s style definitely helped make the photo,” Anderla says. The judges appreciated how it captures the diversity of the Fox Valley’s evolving music scene. “The image is really strong in its compositions and colors,” Carpenter said.