FoCGSP announce winners of Amateur Photography Contest

The Friends of Council Grounds State Park (FoCGSP) obtained 28 entries from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Hawaii for its 2025 Amateur Photography Contest.
“Council Grounds State Park visitors were able to submit photos starting in July that were taken in the park over the past two years,” stated Laurie Nikolai-Svetlik, media supervisor for FoCGSP. Entries had been narrowed down by FoCGSP members to 3 in every of 4 classes. “Those photos were voted on by the general public between August 15th and 31st,” Nikolai-Svetlik stated.
“Votes were accepted by email, paper ballots at the park office or T.B. Scott Library in Merrill, at Merrill’s Community Night Out gathering, and on the FoCGSP Facebook page,” Nikolai-Svetlik stated.

2025 Photo Contest Winners

People Using the Park

1st – Light up the Night, Tina Kulvete, Merrill, Wis.
2nd – Sunset Walk, Sarah Scheunemann, Stevens Point, Wis.
third – Paddling at Sunset, Aaron Skoviera, Merrill, Wis.

Landscape
1st – Winter Lace, Kathy Yahr, Merrill, Wis.

2nd – Perfect Fall Morning, Lynn Marrier, Merrill, Wis.
third – Ice Shelves, Colleen Skoviera, Merrill, Wis.

Wildlife
1st – Wood Turtle, Nicole Haefner, Merrill, Wis.
2nd – Park Welcoming Red Squirrel, David Forsythe, Kronenwetter, Wis.

third – Sunlit Goose, Tom Dotter, Merrill, Wis.

Plants
1st – Inky Milk Cap, Jasmine Hetfeld, Pahoa, Hawaii
2nd – Little Daisy After the Rain, Angela Poster, Waunakee, Wis.
third – Bluebell Bellflower, Kyle Gulke, Merrill, Wis.

“First place winners in each category will receive an annual Wisconsin Resident State Park vehicle admission sticker,” Nikolai-Svetlik stated. “Second place will receive a $15 gift certificate for park-themed merchandise sold in the park visitor center. All the finalists will receive 8×10” prints of their pictures which they may have the ability to choose up together with their prizes on the Fall Council Grounds State Park Candlelight Walk, Saturday, Oct. 11, between 6 and eight p.m. Prizes not picked up will likely be mailed.”