Gwinnett Daily Post

With more than 150 entries in the Lanier 50th Anniversary photo contest, sponsored by the Lake Lanier 50 Committee, judges had a difficult time selecting the winners.

The categories for the contest were lake beauty, fishing, boating and sailing and a miscellaneous category.

"We were thrilled with the number and quality of the entries," said Alan Hope, publisher of Lakeside on Lanier newspaper, which sponsored the contest. "We spent about two hours going through the photos. Many captured the beauty of Lake Lanier and others reflected the fun that can be experienced on the water."

A $500 cash prize was awarded to Melita Reeves, whose photo of herself and her dog silhouetted at sunset caught the judges' eyes.

The judges of the contest included Hope; Su Anderson, staff photographer for the Gwinnett Daily Post; Vernita Loveridge with the Marina Operators of Lake Lanier; Cheryl Smith, northeast Georgia regional tourism representative; and Vicki Barnhorst, executive director of the Lake Lanier Association.

SideBar: Photo contest winners

Here is a list of the winners, by category, in the Lakeside on Lanier newspaper's Lanier 50th Photo Contest, sponsored by Lake Lanier 50 Committee.

Grand prize

Melita Reeves, Tucker

Boating/Sailing

First: Melissa Prosser, Roswell

Second: Bonny Putney, Buford

Third: Kay Mason, Lawrenceville,

Honorable Mention: Richard Conley, Flowery Branch

Fishing

First: Ruby Norman, Alpharetta

Second: Melita Reeves, Tucker,

Third: Jim Chen, Atlanta

Honorable Mention: Jonathan Schaefer, Suwanee1st place, Misc.: Melissa Prosser, Roswell

Miscellaneous

First: Melissa Prosser, Roswell

Second: Richard Hamilton, Lawrenceville

Third: M.A. Garmon, Flowery Branch

Honorable mention: Emilie Warren, Cumming

Lake Beauty

First: Lori Puenties, Cumming

Second: Lake Beauty: Bonnie Putney, Buford

Third: T.E. Bettis, Flowery Branch

Honorable mention: Kerry Keough, Cumming

Editor's choice

Becky Whitton, Gainesville