8th Annual Verne Morton Memorial Photography Show & Contest

By April Scheffler

The Opening Gala for the 8th Annual Verne Morton Memorial Photography Show & Contest is scheduled for Friday, August 19, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at the Groton Town Hall, 101 Conger Boulevard, Groton, New York.  Punch and cookies will be served.  On Saturday, August 20, the show will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.  This annual event has become a tradition for Groton’s Olde Home Days celebration.

Verne Morton was born in Groton in 1868 and took thousands of photographs of Groton and the surrounding area creating a beautiful pictorial history of what life was like during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  This photo show gives local photographers the chance to show off their own unique views of life in the Town of Groton.  Anyone of any age can enter.  You do not have to be a professional, but you do have to take your picture in either the Town or Village of Groton.

The History Center of Tompkins County will have a table and display at the photo show this year.  The History Center houses the extensive Verne Morton collection of photographs, journals, and glass plate negatives.  Two books of his photography have been published, “Images of Rural Life” and “Great Possibilities” and are available at the History Center as well as reproductions of his photos in a variety of sizes.  These make a great gift for a local history buff.

The Verne Morton Memorial Photography Show is sponsored by the Town of Groton and made possible, in part, by a grant from the Tompkins County Tourism Program.  It is produced by April Scheffler, Groton Town Clerk, and Robin Cargian, Deputy Clerk.  Anyone interested in entering the photo show can get information from the Groton Town Clerk’s Office; by calling 607-898-5035; emailing townclerk@grotontown.com; or going online to www.townofgrotonny.org.  Please remember, all photos must be taken within either the Town or Village of Groton within the last 10 years.  There is no cost to enter and prizes will be awarded.

The Pirate’s Treasure Hunt

The Pirate’s Treasure Hunt for kids 10 years old and younger and the fabulous Jack Sparrow will be back by popular demand this year during Groton Olde Home Days.   Treasure maps will be available starting on Monday, August 15 thru Saturday, August 20 at the Town Clerk’s Office on Conger Boulevard and the Walpole’s Variety Store on Main Street.  The Treasure Hunt will take place on Saturday, August 20 and every kid who returns their map to the Town Hall, where the photography show is taking place, will receive a bag of treasure.  A special stop on the map will be Baker Miller Lumber where each child will get a bag of popcorn and an extra bit of treasure.

Christy Walpole, at Walpole’s Variety Store says, “It was great fun last year, and it was really nice to see the parents out with the kids doing it together.”  Sponsors April Scheffler, Groton Town Clerk, and Robin Cargian, Deputy Town Clerk, we amazed at the participation last year and look forward to having a good time with the kids again this year.