LINN  —  Linn R-2 student Elizabeth Sprenger, 16, won the People’s Choice Award and three youth categories for her submissions in the photo contest co-sponsored by the Osage County Historical Society (OCHS) and Osage County Agritourism Council (OCAC). Winners were recognized at a reception on Saturday at the Osage County Library.

Sprenger’s photo “Calf Being Fed” garnered 11 votes to win the People’s Choice Award. She also won for “Snow on Tree” in the Natural Beauty category, “Sacred Heart Cemetery” in the OC Roots division, and “Enjoying a Swing” in the Osage Countians category.

Sprenger said she has always enjoys taking photos and plans to continue developing her talents as a photographer.

Finishing second in the People’s Choice category with eight votes was Jason Laughlin of Bonnots Mill with “Train in Bonnots Mill,” for which he won the Roots category in the adult division. Laughlin noted he had taken the photo with an older iPhone, which he said does a good job for what he needs. He has begun offering his photos online for sale.

OCAC Secretary John Gulick served as master of ceremonies on Saturday and said he’s amazed at the number of high-quality submissions the contest generated. “We had 116 people vote for People’s Choice,” he said in his introduction of Osage County Library Branch Manager Sarah Falter, who is nearing three years in her position. “Sarah and her staff politely encouraged people as they came or went to vote if they hadn’t voted, and we appreciate that support.”

“We had a bet on how many votes would be cast for People’s Choice,” said Falter. “I didn’t think we’d get 100, but John was convinced.”

Gulick later said that the contest was nearly scrapped in December when only 20 entries were received as of the original deadline. “I’m glad we extended it because we wound up with a lot of great photos,” he said, noting that 40 pictures received at least one vote.

Here are the results by category.

ADULT ENTRIES

Roots winner: “Train in Bonnots Mill,” by Jason Laughlin of Bonnots Mill; other entries were “Sunrise” by Rob Eisterhold of Rich Fountain, “Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church - Frankenstein” by Mary Zeilman of Bonnots Mill, “Old House” by Robin Lieneke of Chamois, “Rock Bird Bath” by Mary Buhr of Linn, “Old Building” by Joe Massman of Linn, “Deer Creek Church” by Ginny Massman of Linn, “Cultural Heritage Center” by Bella Russell of Linn, and “Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church - Frankenstein” by Gayla Ocheskey of Bonnots Mill.

Landscapes winner: “Single Cow Reflection” by Charlene Eisterhold of Rich Fountain; other entries were “River Bluff” by Steve Bescheinen of Loose Creek, “Valley at Sunrise” by Robin Lieneke of Chamois, “Wood View of 3 counties” by Mary Buhr of Linn, “Hollyhocks” by Robert Schaefer of Bonnots Mill, “Zinnia” by Gary Zeilman of Bonnots Mill, “Country Road” by Mary Zeilman of Bonnots Mill, “Ben Branch Lake” by Joe Massman of Linn, “Rudy Flower Farm in Rich Fountain” by Ginny Massman of Linn, “‘Timmy’ Bird” by Bella Russell of Linn, “Bees at Rudy Flower Farm in Rich Fountain” by Joy Massman (Freeburg), “Fall Day on Outdoor Patio” by Charlene Eisterhold of Rich Fountain, and “Pond Reflection” by Rob Eisterhold of Rich Fountain.

Osage Countians winner: “Ruthie and Festus (mules)” by Joy Massman of Freeburg; other entries were  “Hitching up the Team” by Carol Deeken of Linn, “Stan Myers ‘plane’” by Mary Buhr of Linn, “First Kite-Flying Adventure” by Doris Frank of Linn, and “Fishing Away the Day” by Merilee Thoenen of Linn.

Growing Osage County winner: “Barn and Cow” by Ginny Massman of Linn; other entries were “Rainbow Over Corn Field” by Rob Eisterhold of Rich Fountain, “Cow in Orange Light” by John Barnes of Linn, “Barn at Sunrise” by Robin Lieneke of Chamois, “Polyphemus Moth” by Mary Buhr of Linn, “Chamois River Bottoms” by Karen Kuschel of Chamois, “Dahlia ‘Maarn’” by Joy Massman of Freeburg, “Hay in the Field” by Doris Frank of Linn, and “Cow Sunset Tree” by Charlene Eisterhold of Rich Fountain.

On the Job winner: “Felix Frank Building a Table” by Doris Frank of Linn.

YOUTH ENTRIES

Natural Beauty winner: “Snow on Tree” by Elizabeth Sprenger of Linn; other entries were “Pointer creek flooding” by Jesse Deeken, 10, of Linn, “Barn Kittens” by Landry Deeken, 13, of Linn, “Clearwing moth on Pink Carnations” by Natalie Caywood, 17, of Loose Creek, and “Sun and Rainbow” by Abigail Hubecky, 17, of Linn.

Growing OC winner: “Eastern Bumblebee on Tomato Flower” by Natalie Caywood of Loose Creek; “Calf being Fed” by Elizabeth Sprenger of Linn was second.

OC on the Job winner: “Truck Maintenance” by Abigail Hubecky of Linn; “Farm Truck” by Elizabeth Sprenger of Linn was second.

OC Roots winner: “Sacred Heart Cemetery” by Elizabeth Sprenger of Linn; “Family Heritage” by Abigail Hubecky, 17, of Linn was second.

Osage Countians winner: “Enjoying a swing” by Elizabeth Sprenger, of Linn.

Winning photos will be permanently displayed at OCHS, and other entries will remain in the Woodland Gallery at the library until May 31.

Unterrified Democrat Editor Neal A. Johnson, Mary Ann Gelven of OCHS, and Jeff Kormann representing OCAC judged the photo contest.

A LOOK AT OCAC

OCAC President Steve Duncan said the organization’s goal is simple. “Our mission is to showcase Osage County’s unique communities, heritage, agricultural lifestyle, and products,” he said at Saturday’s reception. “We are a membership-driven organization, and we’re very interested in new members.”

Legends Bank, Mid America Bank, Heritage Community Bank, State Tech, and Three Rivers Electric are gold sponsors that helped OCAC develop its website, visitosagecounty.com, which features upcoming events and highlights the organization’s activities.

“We’re big on tours, and they are a blast,” said Duncan, noting that Ken and Maryann Gelven organize the tours.

Susan Sundermeyer of Chamois contributes articles to Missouri Life magazine highlighting Osage County, and OCAC provides brochures, and a driving map of that shows the northern and the southern route lists, several attractions, restaurants, and other things of interest.

Upcoming events include a tour of Sassafras Valley Ranch near Belle, Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch, Gamers Ranch in Bland, and Lavender Rhapsody Ranch, also in Bland. Duncan noted this year’s Taste of Osage County will be held on Sept. 14 in Linn.

From visitosagecounty.com: “We have a long agricultural history, and much of our earliest population was immigrants from Germany who found the rolling hills reminded them of their homeland. Osage County ranks among the top 5 counties in the state for “Century Farms” by farms that have remained in the same family for 100 years or more. There are over 1,270 farms in Osage County, with an average size of 250 acres. Only 20% of the agriculture sales are from crops but you will find numerous turkey houses and also cattle operations.”

Anyone interested in joining OCAC is encouraged to visit the website or contact a member.

OCHS NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

OCHS President Mary Zeilman noted the organization has approximately 450 members, including some from Germany, who receive the monthly newsletter, now under the direction of Editor Doris Frank.

Volunteers spend time at the Cultural Heritage Center, where all reference material is maintained. “If any of you are interested in any genealogy or ancestry, that would be a great place to see all the information that they have compiled,” said Zeilman, noting that last year, Ean Sanchez was hired to manage the facility.

Zeilman noted that OCHS is always seeking volunteers who are interested in preserving history. For more information, visit https://www.osagecounty.org.

She also mentioned the Zewicki House on Main Street, which is open for tours on Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

OSAGE COUNTY LIBRARY LEADERSHIP

Gulick also introduced new MRRL (Osage County Library) board members Samantha Mebruer of Linn and Jessica Davis of Loose Creek.

Mebruer owns Red Cow Bakery and runs a cattle farm with her husband and four children. “I’m just happy to be a part of the board so that I can help vote on things that help the library, and we can utilize the library and help other kids like my children have programs and opportunities here,” she said, noting her bakery occasionally sets up in Osage County. “My husband, kids and I love being a part of this. The county has really been good to us. Everybody’s been so kind and welcoming. I’m happy to serve you guys, both on the board and at our bakery.”

Davis, meanwhile, is a reading teacher at Blair Oaks. “I fell in love with the library,” she said. “It’s a great asset to our parents and our community. When the opportunity came for me to join the board, I jumped on it.”

MRRL Executive Director Claudia Young thanked everyone for their support of the library. “It’s great to see so many people here at the reception for this exhibit,” she said. “We appreciate you supporting the library’s activities.”

Falter added the library’s conference room is available at no cost to groups wishing to use it after hours. “We can block it off from the rest of the library,” she noted. “Community non-profit organizations are welcome to use our space. You can’t use the space for a birthday party or a baby shower or for personal things like that.”

She and MRRL board member Gulick reminded everyone that the Friends of the Osage County Library (FOCL) will hold a used book sale on April 5 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on April 6 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Gulick noted that the permanent used-book room is open on the first Saturday of each month. FOCL members are welcome to shop any time with the help of library staff.

“We use that money to support the library and different activities, so we’ve done things like get book bins and to support storytellers with different programs,” said Gulick.

For more information about library programs and activities, visit mrrl.org.