Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13 this year, and as every year at this time, This newspaper calls for submissions to our Mother’s Day photo gallery.

Send photos of mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, with children or without children in the photos. Please name everyone in the photo, the approximate date taken, describe what is happening in the photo and include your name, address, email address and phone number. We will not print your full address or contact information.

You can upload photos and information directly to www.connectionnewspapers.com/mothersday/ or email to editors@connectionnewspapers.com.

Mother’s Day is just one of many occasions throughout the year that we would love to receive photos from our readers. Send us photos and notes when anything of note is happening in your family, neighborhood, school, club … Be sure to include basic information: Name everyone in the photo, the approximate date taken, describe what is happening in the photo and include your name, address, email address and phone number. We will not print your full address or contact information. Send to editors@connectionnewspapers.com

Soon after we publish our Mother’s Day photo galleries, we will begin to ask for submissions for our Father’s Day galleries. Father’s Day is June 17 this year.

Each year we seem to receive many more photos for Father’s Day. We’re curious whether that is because it is the second of the set so readers are more aware or because mothers are more likely to send in images of the Dads.

Twice a year we ask you to send photos and tell us stories about your pets and how they have come into, touched and left your lives, publishing the last week in July and the last week in February.

In late summer, we invite readers to share what they know about their community for neighbors and newcomers alike.

And wrapping up the year, we gather writing and art from local students to fill our holiday edition. Each year, through an enormous effort by area teachers and school staff we receive an amazing display of student talent.

Regular contributions to our entertainment calendars, community bulletin boards, school notes, and business notes help us to share news in your community. We also always welcome photos and captions from community organizations (Scouts, sports teams, faith groups, school activities, etc.) and local businesses.

Please start by sending in photos for Mother’s Day, preferably by May 4. www.connectionnewspapers.com/mothersday/.

Virginia Press Association Winners

Connection writers and photographers garnered awards at the Virginia Press Association annual award banquet. Here is the list of our winners, with more details to come in the future:

First Place, Michael Lee Pope, Business and Financial Writing, Great Falls Connection

First Place, Bonnie Hobbs, Public Safety Writing, Chantilly Connection

First Place, Mark Mogle, Pictorial Photo, Great Falls Connection

First Place, Mark Mogle, General News Photo, Arlington Connection

First Place, Eden Brown, Public Safety Writing, Arlington Connection

Second Place, Dan Brendel, Government Writing, Alexandria Gazette Packet

Second Place, Vernon Miles, Feature Series or Continuing Story, Alexandria Gazette Packet

Second Place, Fallon Forbush, Breaking News Writing, McLean Connection

Second Place, Fallon Forbush, General News Writing, Reston Connection

Second Place, Bonnie Hobbs, General News Writing, Fairfax Connection

Second Place, Marilyn Campbell, Education Writing, Great Falls Connection

Third Place, Shirley Ruhe, Personality or Portrait Photo, Arlington Connection

Third Place, Fallon Forbush, Education Writing, Great Falls Connection

Third Place, Mary Kimm, Editorial Writing, Great Falls Connection