Top Notch Honorable Mentions
Brush up
Ashley Azzata of Merrick, New York, wins an honorable mention in The Islander’s Top Notch photo contest for this image, shot in June outside a Holmes Beach shop. Islander Courtesy Photos
Tops in Top Notch
Congratulations to Bill Shafer of Anna Maria, who wins the grand prize of $100 from The Islander and gift certificates from Islander advertisers. The judging was by Islander staff, with nods to all the finalists in the annual contest. Next, look for honorable mentions.
Top Notch Week 6: In the pink
Marilia Clark of Holmes Beach captured this image of in her hometown July 2. The photographer wins The Islander’s 2021 weekly Top Notch photo contest and a “More-than-a-mullet wrapper” T-shirt, as well as entry into the finals, which offers a grand prize of $100 from The Islander and gift certificates from Islander advertisers. Look to the Aug. 25 issue for the announcement of our grand-prize winner. And then, honorable mentions and the winner of the pet photo contest.
Top Notch Week 5: ‘Beach gymnastics’
Julie Gaskins of Odessa captured photographed daughter Emma and niece Alexandra practicing their aerials on the beach at Bean Point while vacationing in Anna Maria. Gaskins is a winner in The Islander’s 2021 weekly Top Notch photo contest of a “More-than-a-mullet wrapper” T-shirt, and the photo is in the finals, which offers a grand prize of $100 from The Islander and gift certificates from Islander advertisers.
Top Notch Week 4: Night glow at the pier
Bill Shafer of Anna Maria captured this image of island nightlife at the Anna Maria City Pier in May. The photographer wins The Islander’s 2021 weekly Top Notch photo contest and a “More-than-a-mullet wrapper” T-shirt, as well as entry into the finals, which offers a grand prize of $100 from The Islander and gift certificates from Islander advertisers.
Top Notch Week 3: Morning moonlight
Doug Blunt of Perico Island captured an angler casting into the surf one morning in March at Anna Maria’s Bean Point. He is a winner in The Islander’s 2021 weekly Top Notch photo contest of a “More-than-a-mullet wrapper” T-shirt, and his photo is in the finals, which offers a grand prize of $100 from The Islander and gift certificates from Islander advertisers.
Top Notch Week 2: Eye to eye
Karen Santora of Littleton, Colorado, ventured out on the Anna Maria City Pier in late June and took this photo of a heron and its catch. Santora wins the second week of The Islander’s 2021 Top Notch photo contest. The photographer won an Islander “More-than-a-mullet wrapper” T-shirt and entry into the finals, which offers a grand prize of $100 from The Islander and gift certificates from Islander advertisers.
Top Notch Week 1: Showing spunk
Top Notch Week 1:Showing spunk
Angie Blunt of Bradenton won the first week of The Islander’s 2021 Top Notch photo contest with this photograph of “Spunky Aunt Thelma” on the sand in Holmes Beach. Blunt writes in her entry form, “She gave permission to state her age. She is one amazing lady.” For the record, Thelma Vance is 89. The photographer won an Islander “More-than-a-mullet wrapper” T-shirt and entry into the finals, which offers a grand prize of $100 from The Islander and gift certificates from Islander advertisers.