NAPANEE, ON (August 27, 2010) – Wanted: anyone with a digital camera to come out and shoot the stars in Lennox and Addington County. No, not the celebrity kind, but the pristine sky that astronomers acknowledge exists in this area. L&A County, in partnership with the Napanee Photo Club, announced it is holding its first ever photo contest to capture the beauty of area’s night skies.  The contest is open to anyone with a digital camera – from amateurs, hobbyists and professionals alike – and features a special tutorial on stargazing by renowned astronomy author Terence Dickinson, who has published 14 books on the subject, selling over two million copies worldwide.  He is also editor of SkyNews magazine and a resident of L&A County.

“Because it’s right here, literally over our own backyards, we often forget that we live in an area that astronomers call one of the best locations for exploring the stars,” says Stephen Paul, Lennox and Addington County’s Manager of Economic Development. “In fact, astronomers tell me this is the most southerly point in southern Ontario where the night sky is so pristine.  So it seemed like a natural to have this photo contest to not only showcase this natural beauty but also to celebrate local and area talent.”

Dickinson will lead a workshop on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 where he will give advice on how best to capture the region’s spectacular night sky.  Following the tutorial, participants will be driven to one of the best locations north of Napanee to put their knowledge to work.  People interested in attending the workshop  are encouraged to pre-register by contacting Rob Plumley, 613-354-4883, ext. 271 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Paul adds that the contest is open to everyone, regardless of whether they attend the workshop or not.  Workshop participants will receive a briefing binder outlining the contest prizing, rules and regulations and photo submissions information which will also be posted as a PDF on www.bestdayever.ca for those who can’t attend the workshop.  

“I have photographed the night sky from some of the most favourable locations in North America,” Dickinson says, “and there are parts of the northern two-thirds of L&A County where viewing conditions rank among the best. The Milky Way is brilliant, and the light pollution from distant cities is virtually non-existent.”

Dickinson recommends the use of a digital SLR camera for best results for night photography.

Participants will have until October 15, 2010 to submit their photos. Cash prizes of $250, $125 and $75 will be awarded for best photos, with winners also having their submission displayed at the L&A County Museum as well as featured on the L&A County and Napanee Photo Club’s web sites.

The photo contest and stargazing experience is part of the “Best Day Ever in L&A” campaign, aimed at promoting local attractions, events and special experiences in the county.  More information is available at www.bestdayever.ca.

Lennox and Addington County is situated in south-eastern Ontario, conveniently centered between the cities of Kingston and Belleville. The county covers a sprawling area of 2,841 square kilometres, stretching from Lake Ontario northward over 130 kilometers to Renfrew County. The northern half of the county forms part of the Canadian Shield. The southern half of the county is essentially rural, with the exception of the Town of Greater Napanee and the suburban community of Amherstview within Loyalist Township. The rural area is dotted with a number of villages and hamlets which function as commercial and tourism centres for the surrounding area. Settled at first by United Empire Loyalists and later by American and European pioneers, the Lennox and Addington County is alive with reminders of a rich past: the family names of the earliest pioneers endure, and hundreds of grand Victorian homes and farmsteads still stand as symbols of an era of hard work and bustling growth, their survival and vitality a testament to the vision of the founders. Visit www.lennoxandaddington.com.

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For further information, please contact:

John McGrath
416-876-3945
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Stephen Paul
Manager, Economic Development
613-354-4883, ext. 234
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