Bob Campbell’s photo of his retirement oasis in Lake Wauwanoka outside Hillsboro was randomly selected as the winner of the Leader’s first-ever Hometown Gems photo contest. As the first-place winner, he will receive $100.
Elaine McKinney of Crystal City took second place and $75, and Shahana Kidwai, 55, of Eureka took third place and $50 in the contest, sponsored by Grand Times, Leader Publications’ magazine for senior citizens. The contest was held in conjunction with the Arnold Senior Expo set for 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the Arnold Eagles, 1725 Jeffco Blvd.
Readers 50 and older were encouraged to send in pictures of their favorite area park, attraction, gathering space or other special spot in Jefferson County, Eureka or Wildwood. The brand-new contest drew about 20 entries.
First place
Campbell, 76, submitted three photos for the contest. The winning photo was taken in 2014 and shows his backyard looking out onto Lake Wauwanoka.
“Best place to relax,” he said.
Campbell said he’s always liked that photo.
“Whenever I email someone or talk to someone about where we live, I use that photo to show them what it’s like,” he said.
The other day, Campbell said, a family of ducks swam by just 20 yards away from him. He said a crane visits his dock every morning and recently he’s seen bald eagles.
Second place
McKinney, 74, of Crystal City submitted a photo she took in October 2022 in front of Crystal City Hall on Mississippi Avenue.
“A ceremony was held that day in front of Crystal City Hall announcing that James Hardie Industries would be building a new facility in Crystal City and the first of its kind in the state of Missouri.”
She said it was an awesome event with the governor and state representatives present. She really liked the American flag in this photo.
“I’m an old-time Crystal City girl,” she said. “I live in the house I grew up in as a kid. Crystal City is very important to me.”
McKinney has served on the city’s park board and goes to many City Council meetings.
“It’s just home,” she said. “I love my community.”
Third place
Kidwai, 55, of the Jefferson County portion of Eureka submitted a photo she took of her backyard at sunset last month.
She said she loves to catch the sunset at the end of the day.
Bob Campbell’s photo of his retirement oasis in Lake Wauwanoka outside Hillsboro was randomly selected as the winner of the Leader’s first-ever Hometown Gems photo contest. As the first-place winner, he will receive $100.
Elaine McKinney of Crystal City took second place and $75.
Shahana Kidwai, 55, of Eureka took third place and $50 in the contest.
Sonya Wood of Eureka sent a picture taken last month of Route 66 State Park in Eureka. “The Route 66 park is a gem because of its beautiful scenery,” Sonya said.
Phil Stang, 78, of Kimmswick sent a picture of the Kimmswick Post Office, which he said was built around 1914. “(The Post Office) is the heartbeat/nerve center of Kimmswick,” Phil said. “We meet and greet, share information and generally start our day at the Post Office.”
Phil Stang, 78, of Kimmswick sent a picture of the Windsor Harbor Road Bridge, which stretches over Rock Creek. “(The bridge is) the photo location of choice for weddings, homecoming, graduations, etc.,” Phil said. “And don't forget rod and reel and bow fisherman who harvest fish from Rock Creek in Kimmswick.”
Bob Campbell, 76, of Hillsboro sent a 2014 picture his wife, Ann, took in 2012 of a crane visiting their dock on Lake Wauwanoka.
Bob Campbell, 76, of Hillsboro sent a picture taken in October of 1983 of himself and his wife, Ann, on their wedding day.
Karen McGillis, 66, of House Springs took this picture in October of 2017 of the historic Demarree House on Main Street in House Springs shortly before it was demolished. “I'm always looking for unusual things to photograph – the older and more falling apart, the more I'm drawn to it,” Karen said. “This old historical house fit that bill.”
Donna White, 50, of Hillsboro took this picture of her daughter, April White, in her wedding dress. April stands in front of a tree that leans over Joachim Creek in Walther Park in De Soto. “So glad she didn’t fall in the creek,” Donna said.
Donna White, 50, of Hillsboro sent a picture taken by former Leader photographer Ted Howell of her grandson, Riley Brock, at the Train Days in De Soto.
Donna White, 50, of Hillsboro sent a picture taken by former Leader photographer Ted Howell of her grandson, Riley Brock, at the Train Days in De Soto.
Rosemary Graham of Hillsboro sent in pictures taken in 2010 of her old house, which she sold in August of 2021 a few months after her husband’s death. “We bought our ‘white elephant’ in the winter of 1991, just before our grandchildren started coming along,” Rosemary said. “It was in pretty bad condition but, over the years, a little at a time, as finances and time would allow, we turned it into a totally comfortable home for us. The older we got, the more we realized how our home fit our needs. When weather permitted, we spent a lot of time sitting on our porch, which our son-in-law rebuilt. A lot of holidays and birthdays were spent here with our children, grandchildren and now our great-grandchildren…Whenever we arrived home after being away, our house welcomed us with total comfort and a lot of loving memories.”
Rosemary Graham of Hillsboro sent in pictures taken in 2010 of her old house, which she sold in August of 2021 a few months after her husband’s death. “We bought our ‘white elephant’ in the winter of 1991, just before our grandchildren started coming along,” Rosemary said. “It was in pretty bad condition but, over the years, a little at a time, as finances and time would allow, we turned it into a totally comfortable home for us. The older we got, the more we realized how our home fit our needs. When weather permitted, we spent a lot of time sitting on our porch, which our son-in-law rebuilt. A lot of holidays and birthdays were spent here with our children, grandchildren and now our great-grandchildren…Whenever we arrived home after being away, our house welcomed us with total comfort and a lot of loving memories.”
Rosemary Graham of Hillsboro took a picture in 2010 of her grandson, Riley Brock, and dog, Sadie, after trick-or-treating on De Soto Main Street.
Rosemary Graham of Hillsboro took a picture in 2010 of her grandson, Riley Brock, while trick-or-treating in De Soto. “We started on Main Street at the library and ended at the train museum at Baptist church on Fourth Street.”
Tommy Smith of High Ridge sent a picture taken last month of a hawk flying by his house.
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