By Sean P. Ray | Managing Editor

Wow, dear readers. Just wow.

To say that The Northside Chronicle’s second photo contest was more popular than our first one would be an understatement.

Our first contest, which ran from January through March, received only two photo entries and the number of votes cast was in the single digits. In truth, we weren’t really sure how popular this photo contest idea was going to be moving forward.

However, when we launched our second photo contest, seeking the Northside’s cutest pet, that set off a bonanza of excitement. We received a total of 40 photo entries, and nearly 200 people voted.

Let me just say on behalf of everyone here at The Northside Chronicle staff that we’re honored and humbled by how involved everyone got. It was a lot of work, but it was a lot of fun as well, and there were plenty of “d’awwwws” given with each new entry sent to us.

But, at long last, the contest has come to an end and we have a winner. With a total of 32 votes, representing 18% of the total amount cast, Amy Shreckengost of Deutschtown claimed victory with her dog, Reggie!

On top of featuring an absolutely adorable pup, Shreckengost’s photo also does a good job capturing the spirit of the Northside. In the background behind Reggie is a mural of legendary Pittsburgh Pirates player Roberto Clemente painted on the exterior wall of Verdetto’s Bar & Restaurant, located at 814 Madison Ave. in East Deutschtown.

It was perhaps this combination of a cute pet and a Pittsburgh icon that gave Reggie the edge to get him voted as the Northside’s cutest pet!

So let’s all give a round of applause to Reggie and Amy, and congratulate them for winning what has surely been the highest stakes contest in Northside Chronicle history. Given the sheer number of entries we got, we also plan to feature some of the runners-up on our social media pages, so keep an eye out for when they get posted.

If you entered but didn’t win, don’t despair! As with the close of the Cutest Pet contest, we can now open our next photo competition.

The theme for our next contest is “Favorite Northside views.” We want to see the most impressive sights you can get on the Northside. Show us awesome sunsets, scenic views of downtown possible only from our side of town or interesting viewpoints on some iconic Northside locations.

Entries are due by Sept. 20, and can be sent via email to editor@thenorthsidechronicle. com, or to our Instagram account, @nschronicle. Please include your name, what Northside neighborhood you live in and a description of your photo. Note that we are no longer accepting entries via Facebook, due to difficulties experienced saving photos off messenger.

For more information, see the ad on page 4 of the July issue.

Good luck and have fun taking photos!