CONCORD – Judges of the 2012 Governors Lilac & Wildflower Commission Photo Contest recently announced the winners.

Lilac photo contest winners and places photos were taken are: First place, Tracey Anne Smith, Hooksett; second place, Susan Tullis, Henniker; third place, Tracey Anne Smith, Epsom; fourth place, Linda Bohrer, Grantham; fifth place, Lydia Williams, Alton Bay; sixth place, Roy Matucci, Rye; seventh place, Tim Samway, Hampton; eighth place, Keith MacDonald, Epsom; ninth place, Martha Gaudes, Bedford; 10th place, Lisa Tutinas, North Hampton; 11th place, Karen Deveau, Merrimack; and 12th place, Rebecca Brister, Henniker.

For the contest’s 16th year, more than 200 entry photos were submitted from all areas of New Hampshire. According to contest rules, all lilac photos must be taken in New Hampshire.

“This was a very tough year for taking lilac pictures. The early warm weather in March caused many plants to emerge sooner than expected, followed by the normal cold weather, then warm and rain causing many of the lilac blossoms to last only a few days. This caused many of the lilac photographers to hurry to get pictures for this years contest. Many lilac enthusiasts were not able to get pictures before the blossom went by,” said Guy Giunta, commission chairman.

The judges spent more than two hours going through pictures looking for lilac blossoms along with some beautiful sceneries of the state.

“This contest has really caught the interest of many of our residents of New Hampshire and for that matter many tourist of that come to visit our state,” Giunta said. “Many of the entrants have told the Lilac Commission stories of how this contest has enhanced their lives by bring back memories of family members and having the family and friends get together to take pictures of the lilac. Thanks to all the participants who have made this contest a success.”

Established by Gov. John H. Sununu in 1984, the Governor’s Lilac and Wildflower Commission promotes extensive planting, propagation and care of lilacs and wildflowers throughout New Hampshire.

These efforts are accomplished through agricultural, educational and horticultural programs, and through local community projects involving schools, youth groups, 4-H, garden clubs and other organizations. To help beautify New Hampshire’s highways, the commission began assisting in planting wildflowers, prompting Gov. Stephen Merrill to rename the commission on Aug. 1, 1995.

Members of the commission are Guy Giunta Jr., commission chairman and landscape specialist, N.H. Department of Transportation; Richard L. Barker Ph.D., curriculum consultant, N.H. Department of Education; Elinore Cushing, past president, N.H. Federation of Garden Clubs; Brian Gallagher, accountant and business manager; Darrell Gerry, lilac enthusiast, Department of Employment Security, Owen Rogers Ph.D., professor of plant biology, University of New Hampshire; Barbara Rollins, landscape design, roadside development NH DOT; Paul Rushlow, Belknap County Cooperative Ext. Advisory Council; Larry Pelland, public relations. Honorary members are William Nehring, Helen Davis, Barbara Ashley, Martin Mitchell, David Seavey and Gale Thomson.

According to the state’s Lilac Commission website, www.nh.gov/lilacs/contest, the purple lilac is New Hampshire’s official State Flower as determined by the Legislature and signed into law in 1919. It is believed the first New Hampshire lilac planting was in 1750 at the Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion in Portsmouth. Fragrant blossoms in a wide range of colors appear in May of each year.

For the contest, the purple lilac is of greatest interest. Entries are due in June of each year.

Grand prizes include one night lodging with breakfast for two at The Mt. Washington Hotel in Breton Woods; dinner and lodging for two at the Common Man Inn, Plymouth; one night lodging for two with breakfast at The Black Swan Inn in Tilton; tickets to Canobie Lake Park; Funspot gift cards, lilac bushes; tickets to the Mt. Washington Cog Railway; round-trip train tickets to Crawford Notch aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad; a planting video and seed mix.

The 2013 Governors Lilac & Wildflower Commission Photo Contest rules will be announced in March.

For more information, visit www.nh.gov/lilacs/
contest.