Saddleback Butte 50th Anniversary Celebration

Oct 30, 2010

The celebration was held on the hilltop, overlooking the beautiful Saddleback Butte State Park.  After a night of rain, clear blue skies were a welcome sight, along with the dusting of snow on the mountain tops.  If one looked up, they may have caught one of the many groups of turkey vultures migrating south. 

Margaret Rhyne, President of The Poppy Reserve/Mojave Desert Interpretive Association (PR/MDIA) said the event was to be a replicate of the original event 50 years ago.  Saturday’s event included the AV Marching Band, the Boy Scouts, many special guest speakers, and a nature hike.  Just like 50 years ago, they had another photography contest.

The LPA was asked to organize and participate in the photography contest.  To support our community and state park, LPA member Dean Webb volunteered to coordinate the contest.  It took a concerted effort by many members of the club to make this a reality.  Lee Garner set up a special location on our web site where members and non-members could submit entries and Terri Garner helped with AV Press publicity.  A last minute field trip to Saddleback Butte was arranged by Lee, and the spectacular lighting and clouds made for many wonderful images.  Past LPA field trips also supplied images such as nice star-trails by Sue Craft and David Wilkins.  We had 101 images turned in (mostly by LPA members).  Milt Stark, author of "A Flower-Watcher's Guide", was given on-line access to judge the entries.  LPA President Sue Craft made up award certificates.  Paul Craft made a CD of all the images which was used by PR/MDIA President Margaret Rhyne for a power-point show displayed at the Visitor Center.  Ribbons and certificates were presented at the celebration by Milt Stark. 

Members taking part in the exhibition were Anita Kratofil, Christine Wilkins, David Wilkins, Dean Webb, Diana Edgel, Helen Henry, Lee Garner, Nola Zhang, Paul Craft, and Sue Craft.  Three non-LPA members also participated.

The winners were:

Pictorial  Class:

1st Place Sue Craft Saddleback Butte at Sunset 2	2nd Place Dean Webb North Edge of Saddleback Butte	3rd Place Jean Rhyne Snowy Day
Honorable Mention Franklin Steinwachs Joshua and Snow	Honorable Mention Dean Webb Saddleback S.P. Nice Clouds

Plants, Animals, and Misc Class:

1st Place Franklin Steinbachs Teddy Bear Cholla Bloom	2nd Place Franklin Steinbachs Foxtail and Rocks	3rd Place Linda Vanoudenh Skull and Mirage
Honorable Mention Franklin Steinbachs Beaver Tail	Honorable Mention Franklin Steinbachs Road Runner	Honorable Mention Franklin Steinbachs Spiny Lizard

Check out the beautiful images entered by LPA members for this contest in the Gallery.

Aritcle by Dean Web and Sue Craft