If you've snapped a picture of a snow-covered church, prairie vista, or community landmark in the region — Tri States Public Radio wants to see it.
TSPR has launched its first photo contest and is inviting residents across west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri to submit images for a 2027 wall calendar.
"We're looking for photographs that are representative of the area and focused on landscape and scenery from the 20 counties we represent,” said Heather Norman, TSPR’s general manager.
The idea came to Norman after her uncle gave her a Nebraska calendar featuring photos submitted by residents around that state. She said she hopes the calendar will showcase the places and scenes that make the tri states region recognizable to those who call it home.
While rural landscapes are welcome, Norman said organizers aren't looking exclusively for farm scenes.
"Things that show the heart of the community or that people would recognize that are just uniquely our broadcast region," she said.
That could include local landmarks, historic buildings, churches, rivers, bridges, downtown scenes, or seasonal landscapes.
Submissions should be landscape-oriented color photographs — and no people should appear in the photos.
"No AI-generated photos," Norman said, though minor photo editing is acceptable.
The submission deadline is Aug. 1. Entries can be submitted online.
TSPR will select 12 photographs to appear in the calendar, which will be available by the end of the year.
