By Rita Howell

When The Panolian invited readers to vote for their favorite news photo of the year, 2,534 of you selected “Biker and Baby,” when the contest concluded Monday.

The top photo was captured by Panolian photographer Glennie Pou on July 25 at the Dreamriders Motorcycle Club’s Kids’ Day at Sardis Lake.

The picture shows Ron “Gabby” Myers, Dreamriders chaplain, holding his infant grandson Christopher Pena Jr. Both are decked out in rider gear, complete with sunglasses.

Pou remembered that Myers had been explaining to the crowd about the work of Dreamriders. The group raises money to help needy children and those with medical challenges. Myers’ grandson, a heart patient, was one of the recipients of the group’s benevolence, Pou said.

“He was thanking everyone for their prayers,” Pou remembered. “It was so sweet. The baby had that bandana around his head and those glasses. It was adorable. I just had to snap it.”

Pou used a Canon Rebel digital camera. She is employed at the University of Mississippi and works as a freelance photographer covering many events for The Panolian.

In all 3,324 votes were cast in the “You Pick It Photo Contest,” which was conducted on-line at The Panolian’s Web site.

Pou’s photo of the South Panola High School football team hoisting the state championship trophy in the snow on December 4 in Jackson placed second, with 439 votes.

Coming in third was Rupert Howell’s picture of a bagpiper at the funeral of Panola County Sheriff Hugh W. “Shot” Bright in September.

John Howell’s photograph of Johnny Nelson’s curvy railroad track on his property in the Chapeltown community placed fourth with 107 votes.

The fifth-place photo, snapped by Billy Davis, shows children on the playground merry-go-round at Batesville Elementary School. Davis also snapped a post-election affidavit ballot count, with  former alderman Rufus Manley observing as Democratic Executive Committee member David Walker works.