And the winners are...

School is going to start soon — it’s hard to believe it’s that time of year already. Hopefully you’ve done some fun things this summer and spent some time relaxing or maybe catching a baseball game or doing something that you haven’t been able to do since 2019.

Last month, we asked our readers to submit some of their best photographs for the annual photo contest.

We had quite a few entries from which to choose — a process that is never easy. This month, we’re sharing the winners of this year’s contest. We chose first, second and third places in five categories: Animals, human interest, nature/scenic, portrait/people and travel. We were pleased with the response and entries we received and we hope you’ll appreciate them as much as we do.

You will still find the regular columns in this edition, so if you need a recipe, or want to learn about the Antelope Valley’s history, we have you covered.

Since the weather is hot and it’s still considered “grilling season,” Wheeler Cowperthwaite shares with us, his recipe for key lime pie. It’s the perfect dessert for a hot summer day and is a good accompaniment to any meal.

Vern Lawson, in his Hometown History column, discusses how we, as a country, are trying to get back to “the way we were,” following a year of lock-downs and activities being limited. He focuses on whether pride in America is a thing of the past.

Knight High School graduate Susan Benites is one of five Los Angeles high school juniors and seniors selected for Bank of America’s Student Leaders program and she’s this month’s “Good Kid.”

Enjoy what’s left of summer, before school starts again and things slowly return to the way they were before summer vacation.

Jennifer A. Garcia Antelope Valley Press Editor

“Tiefa, China” by Chris Stark