2009 Mississippi Photo Contest Winner

Local man is grand prize winner for statewide photo contest
Published Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009
By L.A. Story
Daily Corinthian Staff Writer

Local photographer Zack Steen will enjoy a paid Mississippi getaway package as part winning the Grand Prize in a statewide photography contest.Zack Steen was recently informed that he is the winner of the 2009 Mississippi Photo contest which was sponsored by the Mississippi Division of Tourism. Steen’s two winning pictures will appear in the 2010 Mississippi Tour Guide.Steen said he first heard about the contest from Corinth Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Kristy White and Karen Beth Martin, program director.“It was in April or May when the contest came up,” said Steen. “Kristy and Karen Beth sent me the information on it and I submitted about 12 to 15 pictures.”“When I got the announcement concerning the photo contest, my mind immediately went to Zack. I knew he had a good chance if he would enter,” said White. “I had seen his talent from his wins in the Crossroads Museum’s Photo Contests over the years. I was not at all surprised that he won. I am extremely proud of Zack and the publicity to Corinth/Alcorn County that his photography will bring by being showcased in the 2010 Mississippi Tour Guide.”Martin expressed her own excitement of Steen’s win: “I have the privilege of working closely with Zack in several different capacities, Chili Festival and Green Market committees specifically. Zack is such a great asset to the Corinth area. I’m constantly impressed with how willing he is to help in whatever way is needed and how he always makes himself and his many talents available for the greater good of our city.“One of his talents is photography and no one deserved this honor more than Zack. His images of Corinth portray this area in a wonderfully unique and artistic way. I’ve never seen a photo from Zack that I didn’t love ... I’m honored to get to work with him and am so happy for him in this great honor.”Steen’s two winning photos were of the Frazier-Liddon house and the renowned crossroads at the Corinth Depot. Steen said that both photos are of locations that have been widely photographed before. However, even with the aforementioned fact, Steen said these photos were slightly different.“The Frazier-Liddon house was a shot taken in the spring. It was a photo that was framed with an oak tree — a different angle from what most people see of the house,” said Steen. “The second picture, of the crossroads at The Depot, was different ... it was a cloudy day, so it’s not a gray sky and not blue ... and the angle was quite different ... it was more of a downward angle at the tracks. I think it was pretty unique.”As a photographer, Steen said he never goes to photograph events or sites with the idea of winning a contest or award.“I think I just try to suit my eye when I go out and take a photo. Usually I’m taking 60-70 images of anything I’m photographing. On the day I took the Frazier-Liddon photo, I probably took about 100 pictures,” said Steen.As the grand prize winner, Steen will receive a four-day/three-night getaway for two to a Mississippi destination of his choice. The trip will include overnight accommodations, lunch and dinner vouchers, local attraction passes, a $100 gas card and a Mississippi getaway basket.Steen said he has chosen Biloxi as his destination and plans to utilize the trip next spring as a wedding anniversary trip for him and his wife.

Garden Mama visits Corinth Green Market

Nellie Neal, also known as "The Garden Mama", hosted her live radio show from the Green Market at the Corinth Depot on Saturday. Neal answered questions from gardeners across the state during her show, then meet with locals and shared stories from her new book "Organic Gardening Down South". "The Garden Mama" is heard live each Saturday from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. on Supertalk WXRZ.

photo contest

In 2002, the Crossroads Museum held their first annual local photo contest.
Being a young photographer at the time, I entered seven or eight photos I had taken.
To my surprise several of my entries placed. The above photo of a stray cat beside a clay angel yard art piece in a over worn thicket placed first in the wildlife/pets category.
The museum has since hosted a contest every year. I have entered all, but one. It has always felt good to help out the museum, as entry fees went to help the museum stay open.
Now, a local photography club is hoping to bring attention to their art while helping others through an upcoming contest.
The Corinth Light Writers club is hosting their first ever amateur photography contest with all proceeds from the contest going to another great cause. The AMEN Food Pantry will benefit with help to provide food assistance to those in need.
Entries will be accepted in categories for natural landscape, architectural landscape, black and white, food, animals (pets and wildlife) and youth (18 and under). Each entry will cost $5. Prizes of $10 for the best in each category and $25 for best of show will be awarded.
All entries must be submitted no later than this Friday. Entry forms can be picked up at Walgreens, Plaza Cleaners, K-Mart, Farmington Town Hall and the Daily Corinthian.
All entries will be on display at Farmington Town Hall from throughout the month of March. An opening reception and awards program will be held from 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 1 for all entrants and their guests.
Participants may include a price to be put on their photo while in the exhibit, with 10 percent commission from the sale going to the food pantry.
So, find your favorite recent photo and enter it in the contest. You'll help a worthy cause and expose your art to the world.

crossroads

One of the coolest possible photo opportunities in Corinth is the historic Crossroads of railroad tracks at the Corinth Depot.
Unfortunately this photo is also one of the easiest snapshots in North Mississippi -- as long as the snapper is brave enough to trek over the sometimes busy railroad tracks.
The photo above is one of the oldest photographs in my portfolio. Taken sometime in 1999 to 2000 time frame, I snapped this photo while on one of my first photo hunts in downtown Corinth.
Over the years I have taken different shots of the Crossroads. I have stood in different spots in order to capture different angles. I have snapped the Crossroads with trains coming from all directions. I have been inside the Depot snapping as a train passed. Snow-covered tracks, cloudy skies, sun shining – name it, I have tried it.
I have actually become somewhat fascinated with trains and the roads they travel since I started viewing the world through a camera lens.
I haven't had much time to go on photo hunts in the last year, but the few times I did I spent all my time following trains down the tracks hoping to capture another cool moment in the Crossroads.

senior art

Word on the street, you're not "cool" if you have graduated from Corinth High School in the last 15 years and didn't spray paint your name on the Fifth Street Bridge.
I graduated from Alcorn Central High School in 2001 and we didn't spray paint anything - rolled a few yards maybe, but no spray paint.
It is hard to believe this tradition of defacing a concrete rail road underpass in the historic district of downtown Corinth has continued for so many years. Unlike me, some people who live less of a mile from the "Warrior Bridge" call the work of the seniors an "eyesore."
I call it art.
Thankfully the city of Corinth covers the spray paint each year around Christmas with a fresh coat of white paint. I guess they are getting it ready for the next round of graduates.

sin alco

The Sin alco sign painted on the side of the Historic Corinth Coliseum is a downtown jewel. It’s a part of old Corinth that is still breathing with life.
I am very interested in old Corinth and even though I have no idea the age of this sign, it has to be at least 50 or 60-years old. The sign has surely seen millions of people walk by, but funny thing is I have had a hard time finding out much information.
Questions on my mind include when was it first painted, who sold it, could you buy it in the coliseum and why can't you find it around here anymore? Asking around, I have learned not many people know or care about the origin of our Sin alco sign.
I Googled Sin alco and discovered a soft drink maker based in Germany. The web site says, "Sinalco is a renowned brand in the gastronomy and retail trade for 100 years now. The cult brand Sinalco is sold in more than 40 countries around the world."
Apparently in 1902 the brand was named and in 1907, it became a "world famous brand."
An interesting fact on the site says, "Another landmark in the brand's history was made when Sinalco received the characteristic red-point as its corporate identity (CI), the worldwide sign of recognition in 1937."
Does this mean our beloved Sin alco sign is pre-1937? It has no red-point that can currently be seen. So many questions yet to be answered ...
I have snapped hundreds of photos of what is one of Corinth's most well preserved original building advertisements. I have stood in all angles and fought all weather conditions chasing after that perfect Sin alco moment.
I'm still working on it ...

If you have any stories to share about Corinth's Sin alco sign, please leave a comment or e-mail webadmin@dailycorinthian.com

drug of choice at Borroum's

Borroum's Drug Store on Waldron Street in downtown Corinth is the oldest drug store in continuous operation in the state of Mississippi. Inside the drug store and cafe, is a museum filled with hundreds of Civil War and early Corinth items in cabinets and hanging on the walls.
But, most folks already know those things about this Corinth staple. Everyone knows Borroum's is the best place in Corinth to order a homemade milk shake or the famous Slug burger...
Oh yeah, a Slug burger - the true drug of choice at Borroum's!
It's funny how I always order the same thing when eating at Borroum's - a slug with cheese, pickle, onion and mustard with fries and a strawberry shake with extra whipped cream.
Some things never change.
Just like the sign on this historic court square building.The real reason why I snapped the above picture was the sign.
It reads, "Borroum's Drug Store."
There it is - the “period” at the end of the name that's painted on the front of the building. In 1865, I understand, soon after the drug store was founded by A.J. Borroum the “period” first made its appearance.
Decades later, the “period” still marks the end of the store's name.
When looking for a fix to that Slug burger craving, stop by Borroum's and don’t forget to take a look at the sign of times painted on the front of the building.