Where In Verona Was It? A Year In Review

A little over a year ago, sitting in Jack’s Cafe, the MyVeronaNJ.com team was brainstorming ideas to get readers more involved with the site. Our traffic was growing rapidly, and readers were reading lots of stories every day, but they weren’t talking back to us as much as we wanted.

Then Fred Goode suggested a photo contest. He would take pictures of things Verona people say they know well–except that the photos he would take wouldn’t be familiar, picture post card views. We’d put up one photo a day, and readers would have to guess the location. The person who guessed correctly would win a baseball cap that would tell the world what their favorite local news site is. “Come on,” he urged us. “It will be insane.”

And so it has been for the last 52 weeks. We’ve had winners from all over town, and some that didn’t live in Verona any more. We’ve had people rely on their powers of observation to find the answers, and high technology. And we’ve had more than a few people who regularly wished Fred hadn’t made them quite so insane.

Kathleen Seubert was the top winner, with 11 hats, followed by Jeff Shilling, with 6 and Beth Shorten, with 5. But we would be remiss if we didn’t draw your attention again to Week 35, which Fred won after all contestants gave up. You can see the full list of locations and winners below the contest movie that Fred put together.

Week 1: Hillcrest Farms Winner: Joanne Arroyo
Week 2: Town Hall, Winner: Colin Boyle
Week 3: Towne Scoop, Winner: Jack and Mike Fitzpatrick
Week 4: Famous Ray’s Pizza, Winner: Ben Blinder
Week 5: Jack’s Cafe, Winner: TJ Jones
Week 6: The Old Freight Shed, Winner: Kathy Van Benschoten
Week 7: F.N. Brown School, Winner: Mike Schumell, Michael Verrone, Jeff Stiefbold
Week 8: 80 Pompton Avenue, Winner: Kathleen Seubert
Week 9: Bunky’s Automotive, Winner: Brad Caprari
Week 10: Centennial Field, Winner: Kathleen Seubert
Week 11: Quality Car Care, Winner: Maria Carrozza
Week 12: The Flags, Winner: Beth Shorten
Week 13: Firehouse #2, Winner: Kevin Toscano
Week 14: Brookdale Avenue School, Winner: Mark Fortgang
Week 15: Verona Sports Center, Winner: Andrew Lange
Week 16: The Recycling Center, Winner: Beth Shorten
Week 17: Hobcaw Cafe, Winner: Alice McCarthy, Kathleen Seubert
Week 18: The Library, Winner: Olivia Symczak
Week 19: Adrenaline Fitness, Winner: Kevin Toscano
Week 20: The Police Station, Winner: Kathleen Seubert
Week 21: Miele’s Italian Restaurant, Winner: Len Waterman
Week 22: Mardi Gras Fine Foods, Winner: Jeff Shilling
Week 23: Classic Look Salon, Winner: Diane Polledri
Week 24: Town Signs, Winner: Julie Shilling
Week 25: Charles Bahr & Son, Winner: Beth Shorten
Week 26: Snowpiles, Winner: Nick Frank, Mike Schumell
Week 27: The Richfield Regency, Winner: Andrew Lange
Week 28: Frank Anthony’s, Winner: Megan McKeown
Week 29: Four Paws Stay & Play, Winner: Kristine Liska
Week 30: The New Subway, Winner: Maria Carrozza
Week 31: Canine Designs, Winner: Jeff Shilling
Week 32: F.N. Brown School, Winner: Neal Wallen
Week 33: Rocktec Music, Winner: Jeff Shilling
Week 34: The Former Brunner Auto Dealership, Winner: Mike Schumell
Week 35: The Hilltop Water Tank, Winner: Fred Goode
Week 36: Gary Farishian’s office, Winner: Kathleen Seubert
Week 37: Sonny’s On The Avenue, Winner: Kathleen Seubert
Week 38: West Essex Building Supply, Winner: Jeff Hagaman
Week 39: Denim & Daisies, Winner: Kathy Van Beschoten
Week 40: Former Chrysler Dealership, Winner: Kathleen Seubert
Week 41: Forest Avenue School, Winner: Len Waterman
Week 42: Kip’s Castle, Winner: Jeff Shilling
Week 43: Lower Field at Verona High School, Winner: Beth Shorten
Week 44: Learning Express, Winner: Jeff Hagaman
Week 45: The Municipal Building (inside), Winner: Kathleen Seubert
Week 46: Verona Pool, Winner: Kathleen Seubert
Week 47: Senior Citizen’s Bus, Winner: Kathy Van Benschoten
Week 48: Bagelwich, Winner: Kathleen Seubert
Week 49: Verona Aluminum/Henry’s, Winner: Kevin Toscano
Week 50: Annin Flag, Winner: Drew Videtto
Week 51:  HBW Track, Winner: Beth Shorten, Kathleen Seubert, Jeff Shilling, Julie Shilling
Week 52: Our Lady of the Lake, Winner: Bryan Klucharits, Jeff Shilling