History is focus of Orange County Day writing contests

GOSHEN-What is your favorite historic building or historic natural site in Orange County? County residents inspired to write poems or essays on this topic are invited to submit their work to the annual Orange County Day writing contests. The deadline for submission is June 7. The contests are held every year in conjunction with Orange County Day, an annual celebration of local history, culture, and natural beauty. This year, Orange County Day falls on Sunday, June 27. Many local attractions will offer reduced or no admission to county residents on that day. The contest requirements, judges, and prizes as follows: * Essay contest n Submit 500 words or less. Only one essay per contestant will be permitted. The judges will be Debra Kaidaisch, family court judge, and Elizabeth DeMarco. The prizes are as follows: grand prize - weekend night stay at the Caldwell House Bed and Breakfast in Salisbury Mills; second prize - dinner for four at Camillo's at the Cross Roads Restaurant in Montgomery, with a $150 limit; third prize n large gift basket from Woodbury Commons; fourth prize n four tickets to the Summerstar Show at Orange County Community College in Middletown. * Poetry contest n The poem may be either metrical or free verse, realistic or abstract, with an eight-line minimum. The judges are Marlena Lange, an English teacher at Chester Academy, and The Rev. J. Scott Barker. The prizes are as follows: grand prize - weekend night stay at the Dominion House in Blooming Grove; second prize n brunch for four or dinner for two at Blooming Hill Farm in Blooming Grove; third prize n large gift basket from Woodbury Commons; fourth prize n four tickets to the Summerstar Show at Orange County Community College in Middletown. Other requirements are: Contestants must be age 21 or older and be residents of Orange County. All entries must be typed in a font of 12 points or greater. Include name, address, and e-mail or fax number. Give each entry a title. Send entries to Theodore Sly, County Historian, Historic 1841 Courthouse, 101 Main St., Goshen, N.Y. 10924. For more information call 457-9867.