CATS Guides

Champlain Area Trails Travel Writing Contest

The results are in! The winners of the second CATS Travel Writing Contest were announced at the annual Celebrate CATS event on Saturday, June 2.

There were several strong essays, which made the work for guest judge Brian Mann especially challenging. In the end, the Adirondack Bureau Chief of North Country Public Radio Bureau chose “This Could Be Montmartre” by Lee, earning her the first-place prize of $500. “I liked that it linked two incredibly disparate places in meaningful ways,” Mann explained.  “Reading it will elevate the way people see things as they walk in both places.” When presenting Lee with her prize, Chris Maron, CATS Executive Director, told the attendees at its Celebrate Champlain Area Trails Event that Lee concluded her story by writing that “Montmartre, like Coon Mountain, is a landmark that both anchors us and watches over our daily errands, witnessing our troubles and our happiness.”

With 148 votes, the winner of the People’s Choice Award was “Turtle Crossing” by Jen Zahorchak of Essex. For having the most online-votes, she takes home $250. In her article she describes how her family decided to move to the area and live where turtles continually cross the road in front of their house. She notes many local businesses and Lakeside School at Black Kettle Farm, which her children attend. She concludes her article by writing “we came for the wilderness but stayed for the community."

There will be plenty more opportunities for others to share their Champlain Valley stories—and to win $500. The next CATS Travel Writing Contest will begin soon. So as you enjoy your summer, we invite you to hike, visit businesses and local communities, and then write about your memorable adventures. Details about the next contest will be posted soon.

In case you haven't had an opportunity to read them, the contest entries are here for you to enjoy!

Just Some of the Reasons Why I Love the North Country by Marian J. Atkinson
Valley of the Porcupines by Ellie George
In the Heart of the Valley by Robert H. Ivy
Coming Home by Peter Jerdo
Lookout by Lucinda Kirk
This Could Be Montmartre by Elizabeth Lee
Falling in Love by Jean McMahon
Exploring Connections by Roads, History and Ice Cream by Kyle M. Page
One Music by Rob Rich
Patchwork Community by Rebekah White
Turtle Crossing by Jen Zahorchak

Destination Guides

CATS Destination Guides are created by members of the Champlain Area Community to provide inspiration for your next Champlain Valley outing. 

How to Submit Print Articles

Print Guidelines    |    Writing Tips    |    Contest Overview

Articles must be original works ranging from 800 to 1,200 words. Please include two to six photos of high resolution (JPEG, 300 dpi or higher).

Travel Writing Contest

Print Guidelines    |   Submit Print    |   Multimedia Guidelines    |   Submit Multimedia

YOU can win $500!  So get your pencils sharpened, your laptops powered, and your cameras ready, Champlain Area Trails (CATS) has announced its next Travel Writing Contest.

The winning entrant will be awarded $500. The People’s Choice Winner—the entry with the most online votes—will earn $250. All winning pieces will be featured in our online CATS Destination Guide.  

 

Share your favorite adventures in New York’s Champlain Valley. Your story could earn you $500. Announcing the Champlain Area Trails Travel Writing Contest!

With its historic hamlets, rich wildlife, vibrant sense of community, and scenic vistas, you know how unique this region is. So share your story about the places you hiked, the restaurant you loved, the outfitter who went that extra mile, the bed and breakfast that felt like an escape into pure bliss, or the sublime concert you heard. We’re looking for travel stories that will inspire others to follow in your footsteps.

Our guest judge will award a $500 first prize. There’s also a chance for everyone else to pick his or her favorite during our online voting. The People’s Choice—the story earning the most online votes—wins $250.

 

Get started! Stories must be uploaded to the CATS website by midnight April 30, 2012.

  All winning pieces will be featured in our online CATS Destination Guide.  

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