A Lobster Boat Adventure Nets First Duke Time Off Photo Prize

All eligible staff and faculty photos taken and shared between May 20 and Aug. 3, 2026, will be entered to win grand prizes

A woman holding a lobster on a boat
Lydia Cato holds up a lobster while on a visit to Portland, Maine. Photo courtesy of Lydia Cato.

During a trip to Maine over Memorial Day weekend, Duke University Hospital Case Manager Lydia Cato enjoyed authentic Maine lobster rolls and gained a special appreciation for the people who work the waters.

While visiting Portland, Maine, Cato and friends took a tour of the nearby waters with a few lobster fishers, learning about the work they do and pulling up a few traps.

“It was really cool," Cato said. "They explained some of the conservation measures they were taking to protect the lobster population and to respect the migration of whales when they come through each year. It was interesting to hear all of the thought they put into everything.”

Lydia Cato's cruise around Portland, Maine yielded a few lobsters and this summer's first Duke Time Off prize. Photo courtesy of Lydia Cato.

Cato said the voyage only yielded a few lobsters big enough to keep, including the one she held for the giddy photo she submitted to Working@Duke’s Duke Time Off campaign, which highlights the value of using Duke’s paid time off benefit for well-being.

“I learned so much and got to experience some fun new things on this trip,” Cato said. “That’s why I love my PTO at Duke.”

The photo, one of 31 submissions from the campaign’s opening week, was chosen as the first winner in the summer-long campaign. As the winner, Cato will receive a 24-can cooler courtesy of Duke University Stores.

One Duke-themed prize courtesy of Duke University Stores will be given away roughly once every two weeks throughout the summer.

All eligible photos taken and shared between May 20 and Aug. 3, 2026, will be entered to win grand prizes, courtesy of the following Duke entities: 

  • A “Classic Package for Two” ($425 value) at the Washington Duke Inn. The package includes a king or double/double room for one night and full breakfast for two in the Vista Room or room service. Sunday brunch is not eligible.
  • A lemur tour for four at the Duke Lemur Center.
  • Two winners will each receive a pair of tickets to a Duke Arts Presents performance. 
  • A $50 Duke Dining gift card will go to an eligible staff or faculty member on social media who tags Working@Duke in their photo and follows @WorkingatDuke on social media.

Grand prize winners will be announced on Working@Duke in late August.

Want to share your #DukeTimeOff photo? See the details here. 

Send story ideas, shout-outs and photographs through our story idea form or write working@duke.edu.

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