Blog Archives

Route 8 work to begin

4/30/2020

Today's feature picture will help you plan travel heading south from Franklin starting next week.
The anticipated work on the Route 8 four lanes will begin Monday with the southbound traffic being detoured down Old Route 8 in Venango County. Southbound motorists will notice new traffic patterns by the time they hit Polk Cutoff.
During the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the northbound pavement and bridges, which PennDOT hopes will be completed by the end of October, motorists heading north will be using the southbound lanes.
Temporary repairs will be made along the southbound lanes over the next two weeks to prepare for the shifting of northbound traffic to those lanes weather permitting.
The southbound lanes are scheduled to be redone next year.
More information: Click here to be directed to the project info.

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Walking Rorshack's dog

4/29/2020

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Walking across Smock Bridge today I was keeping an eye on dirt collecting on the sidewalk thinking about the painters Robert Motherwell and Clifford Still. 20th century abstract painters I used to hate when I was younger, but have grown to love as I got older. I also saw many other things in the shapes including this funny little toy poodle. I stopped for a second to imagine us walking together on this bridge. Some people look up into the clouds to use their imagination. I tend to look down at the ground. It also helps me from tripping over stuff.

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Walking uncrowded streets

4/28/2020

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Today's featured photograph stared into the future.
Actually, I realized I missed posting on the 28th and am catching up.
This puddle reflection from the streets of Meadville came from a walk back from dropping off my car for repairs on the 29th. Not that Meadville has ever been a pedestrian flocking point, but I am still amazed to see so few people out and about. Its good, don't get me wrong, folks are practicing social distancing and that is exactly what they should be doing according to the Governor, but its still eerily odd. I practiced social distancing by going to the right of the puddle so they could traverse the sidewalk unhindered. Then I squatted down to made a quick photograph.
Happy Wednes...... oops, Tuesda..... oh.... whatever day it's supposed to be!

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Bids due for Titusville demolition

4/27/2020

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"I so want this done,"
– Missy Wescat, owner of Missy's Arcade.

Nick Kaczmark of the Lycoming Supply Company photographs the outside of the building. Kaczmark lives in Ohio but works for the Williamsport-based company.

An unsure beginning of the day for around eight regional demolition contractors ended with a closer look at an unoccupied Titusville building destroyed by fire in 2018. At 9 a.m. Monday, several contractors, some coming from Ohio and upstate New York, stood around wondering where the redevelopment authority was to let them in to tour the Diamond Street building. Finally, Bert Klapec of Oil City, sitting in his truck, gave the authority a call.

A mix-up in communication was cleared up and within a few minutes, Chevy Biltz of the Titusville Redevelopment Authority was there with keys.

For safety reasons a full tour of the building couldn't be done, but Biltz was able to let the contractors see the collapsed roof and get a better understanding of the shared wall between two buildings - a wall that needs to stay or be rebuilt as part of the contract.

The wreckage of the top floor shows the debris from the collapsed roof.

"I so want this done," said Missy Wescat, owner of the shared wall and the Missy's Arcade Restaurant next door to the blighted building. "You kinda relive it every day you have to look at it," she said staring at the building.

On February 15, 2018, a fire broke out in the mostly vacant building. Dave's Old Fashioned Haircuts and a new furniture restoration business were lost. Missy's sustained major water damage causing the business to shut down for four months for renovations.

Standing on the third floor of the adjacent building above Missy's Arcade, Chevy Biltz of the redevelopment authority discuss some aspects of the building with the contractors who visited to take a tour.

On Monday the next phase began with demolition contractors having a closer look, taking several photos and jotting down notes they will use to come up with a figure to present to the authority before May 13. Bilz told the contractors his understanding, because of the Community Block Grant guidelines for this demolition, that the area has become green space.
The bids will be opened in a virtual public meeting, according to bid package.

"It will shut me down again," Wescat said indicating that she was just getting back on her feet again. Laurie Baker, the executive director of the Titusville Community Development Agencies agrees. She said she hope the work will be started as soon as possible after the bids are opened and awarded in the middle of May. "We are thinking the project will take at least 60 days, if not longer," she said. She said Missy's is likely the only business that will be affected.

"I guess the way to look at this is, life has a way of slowing you down. But in the long run it is going to be awesome to have this done."

Dana Purpura of Durable Demolition from Lockport, New York photographs the back of the building. The lot Purpura is standing in will be allowed to be used during the demolition, Laurie Baker, executive director of the Titusville Community Development Agencies, said there are likely to be road closures or lane restrictions, but dates and times for those aren't known yet. She said communication with PennDOT will begin when they learn more about the timetables.

NOTE: A version of the story will also appear in the Tuesday April 28 edition of The Titusville Herald.

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I feel ya bird

4/27/2020

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In today's feature picture of the day I noticed something about this vulture that made me think about life a little. Without telling you what I see specifically, I feel that this bird probably got treated a little like I did recently by his cohorts.

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Dairy news, love notes and more Part two of this Sunday's edition

4/26/2020

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Editor's note: The State of Local Dairy is an ongoing series about how local farmers are dealing with several current issues. Over-stocked milk is forcing large-scale dumping lowering prices the farmers can get for their milk. Continued costs of doing business, especially during the hard economic and social times surrounding this COVID-19 pandemic are forcing many farmers to take measures for survival.
The first story in this series talks with Brooks Rynd of Rynd Home Farms near Cochranton on Route 322.

Reducing production at Rynd Home Farm amid reports of milk dumping

Jessi Willamon works in the Rynd Home Farm milking parlor this past week.

Brooks Rynd says he has weathered difficult storms before. "2009 was the worst year in 30 years," he said. The eighth generation dairy farmer said he unfortunately had just put in a new state-of-the-art milking barn right when the stock markets crashed. So he still had creditors to keep happy.
He is optimistic that this year won't be as bad, but he says he admits the future is uncertain.

Rynd has already had to reduce milk production by 15%, as have many others.
"You'd be surprised how much cheese restaurants use," he said citing the stay-at-home orders have slowed the demand. Schools too being shut down has cut the need for more milk.

Mike Styche has work on Rynd Farm on and off for 10 years. He hoses down the milking parlor in between groups of cows.

Rynd said there has been an over supply of milk for awhile keeping the price for the farmer's milk at a very low rate.
He said the last year prices had been up a little, but with the market down again and demand not keeping up with supply, millions of gallons of milk have been dumped.
The recent price drop leaves less money to run the farm.
Since the cows must still be milked measures have to be taken. Rynd sold off a few cows and doubled the number of dry cows or those not currently producing milk.
Dry cows still need to be fed and housed. They become an overhead expense that isn't helping with the bottom line.
And farms need equipment and that equipment still needs to be maintained.

A cow feeds after being milked in the large barn attached to the milking parlor.

"We're all just trying to hold things together," Rynd said as he tightens the farm's belt. He said weathering a couple of months is one thing but the unknown makes it difficult.
"There isn't one aspect of agriculture that knows what is next," he said.
The government subsidies recently passed haven't made their way to the local farmers and Rynd say he has no idea what they will even look like. They could be subsidies or they could be loans, he just doesn't know yet.
"Maybe the government can put more food into the food bank," he questioned. That would help increase the demand again.

The Rynd family has been farming for eight generations.

"At least gas and fuel costs are down," he said. He appears to be a farmer always looking for the positive.

Rynd said if the entire industry cut back on production, it would be a financial hit at first, but "in the long run I believe it would right the ship and get our prices back on track." But he said many have been talking for years about implementing a supply management system and it hasn't happened. "The big guys don't like the idea," he said leaving the small farmers to go on a roller-coaster ride each year.
"If only 50 farms cut back it won't mean much," he said.

Its different for every farm. Each farm has its own debt, its own overhead and its own maintenance costs. Though Rynd's farm has been in the family for generations they have made improvements and have debt to still pay off. Rynd said he's hopeful things will get back to normal sooner than later.
"At least we're still working. We have some income. We're lucky that way, everybody is in rough shape."

I will be looking to talk to other farmers over the next few weeks to get more perspectives and delve into more details about the industry.

For now here is a slideshow of some of the cows at Rynd Home Farms. If you're anything like me you'll love trying to figure out what they're thinking.

New Love Notes series looking for submissions

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."
-Maya Angelo"

This fun photo was the idea of Linda Skelley to commemorate her daughter Lauren's engagement to her boyfriend Jeff.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been a hurdle like few have ever experienced in their lifetime. It has challenged family and friends to find new ways and sometimes old ways to show love when traditional visits, hugs, and celebrations can be dangerous.

Since starting this blog, I’ve talked to numerous people trying to find ways to stay connected to their love ones during special times in their lives, like birthdays and graduations. After posting about one such act of love, a reader reached out with a story about her daughter’s recent engagement.

I realized there are so many stories of love recognizing no barrier and arriving full of hope that I have no way to track them all down myself. But I remain inspired to provide an outlet to share as many as I can.

Therefore, I have started a new feature called Love Notes.

Readers can send in short stories and pictures about their own acts of love or ones they they witness. I do ask that the stories are recent(though if you have a very cool not recent story send it too!) and everyone listed or pictured is aware of the submission for possible posting on the website and social media accounts for Eight&322.
Submission can be sent to richardsayerphotography@gmail.com or as a direct message to the Richard Sayer Photojournalism Facebook page.
If I get enough stories I will make this a weekly feature

The first Love Notes submission came from Linda Skelley, mother of 2017 Taste of Talent winner Lauren Skelley. Linda wrote the following: Lauren’s “boyfriend of almost a year, Jeff Grey, was planning a big proposal but then COVID-19 interrupted his plans. Instead of waiting for the closures and quarantine to be over, he decided to "pop the question" on Easter Sunday. I was the photographer and decided to do a photo doing a "pandemic-style" proposal.”

“We were having a little fun. He did the real proposal sans masks and gloves.”

Thank you for sharing Linda. I look forward to reading and posting more stories in the coming weeks, so make sure to send them my way.

NOTE: Submissions can show love of any kind, not all submissions will be published but those with compelling or fun stories will make us all feel better during this time.

Crawford County teachers hold friendly contest to raise money to help

Understanding there is a need, Crawford County school districts are teaming up to raise money to help those in need during these tough times. Having a friendly competition to see which district can raise the most, they hope to reach $50,000 by August 1. Visit the website at https://www.teacherslovecrawford.org/about if you want to donate or just learn more about what they are doing. The following are screens shots of their page from earlier this week. It shows they are well on their way, but still have a long way to go.

New Feature coming this week: Featured Artist of the month

"Fridays were made for this," wrote Jodi Baker Lewis when she posted this scene from French Creek last year on Instagram.
Jodi is an avid documentor of days. With her phone camera seemingly always turned on, she stops often to witness life around her and make beautiful images.
I asked her if she would be my first "Artist of the Month" and she said yes.
So starting this Friday I will feature some of Jodi's work every Friday running through the month of May.
During this time I will be looking for the artist to feature in June, maybe a painter?
Ideas are always welcome.

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Cows, "Goats," and teachers who care....this weeks stories

4/26/2020

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Clifford Ekis and Tom Kingdom fill bottle with spray hand sanitizer Saturday in front of The Grumpy Goat where the distillery was giving it away for free to members of the public. The Franklin, Pennsylvania family run business has been providing local first responders with the product for several weeks now.

A miserable personality who wanted no friends and saw little beauty in life is the main character in Brett Helquist's children's book, Grumpy Goat. It was this one lone flower, a dandelion, on a hillside that caught the critter by surprise and suddenly an epiphany came over him. He suddenly saw beauty all around.
In Franklin, The Grumpy Goat Distillery owners didn't need such an epiphany moment to know the beauty of life - it's their community.
When the governor shut down businesses, the "Goats' owners, Tom and Kim Kingdom, found a way that they could help. They turned their hooch making operation into a hand sanitizer producer in order to provide World Health Organization standard product to those in need.

Tom Kingdom delivers a freshly filled up bottle of hand sanitizer to a vehicle in the curbside pick-up zone in front of their Liberty Street, Franklin business.

"The [commercial grade sanitizer] will get the virus drunk, our stuff will kill it." said Tom Kingdom with a chuckle. Standard hand sanitizers are 60% alcohol based. The Grumpy Goat uses the WHO recipe that calls for 80% alcohol. For the past few weeks, they have been making it by the several hundred gallons and distributing it to local first responders and trucking companies, said Kingdom.
He and his family spent several hours on Saturday in front of their Liberty Street location offering up their product to anyone who wanted it.
Free of charge.
They aren't interested in getting into the hand sanitizer market, but were looking for a way to help during a stressful time when store shelves are often empty of the essential product. They took advantage of a temporary change in the rules that allowed them to make hand sanitizer during the pandemic. "We're the only ones that can legally do it," Kingdom said about the local area. During this shut down they have been making several hundred gallons.

A steady flow of customers took advantage of the give-a-way Saturday in Franklin.

Since the owners have day jobs, Kim Kingdom said the shutdown hasn't affected them as much as other businesses in the area. The fact that the liquor stores were down and they could offer curb-side pick up, they had some income.
They have actually sold out of most of their stock.
Before this shutdown they only operated two stills. They have since up-graded and will have four stills operating, but they said two will still be dedicated for hand sanitizer until there isn't a need.
"This is just awesome what you're doing," said Venango County commissioner Mike Dulaney, who stopped Saturday to say hello and thank the Kingdoms.
So far the expense has been out of pocket for the business, but Kim Kingdom said they and the Chamber of Commerse are trying to obtain grants to help so they can keep giving to local first responders and more.
The business said they won't be making this a product in the future, but for now they are not grumpy at all, rather quite happy to be able to help their community.

NOTE: Coming later today

The story about Rynd Farm's efforts to deal with this COVID-19 crisis will be posted later today separate from this post. A slight technical glitch has made us postpone this story a little while past deadline. So please check back for more.

Grove seniors are not forgotten

Contributed photos

On Wednesday a group of Valley Grove teachers and administrators set out on a journey to make sure their senior class at Rocky Grove High School knew they were not forgotten in this Coronovirus world.
Principal Kelly Hart and staff logged a pretty long day driving through the backroads of their district stopping at home after home to plant a sign of pride in each seniors yard.
In a letter sent earlier to seniors, the students were informed that graduation plans are still being hashed out.
"We don’t want to make any major decisions too early while everything is still uncertain because we are hoping to be able to give the students the entire graduation experience they deserve." Hart said.
The district partnered with Village Auto to have the Rocky Grove High School 2020 Senior signs made and kept the mission a secret prior to posting them in the front yards of the students.
"I love the sign" said George Walters, "It really helps make the whole situation a little bit brighter."
The army recruit said he has talked to a few of his classmates who agree the signs have made them feel better about their senior year.
"We have to miss so much that we won't be able to get back, so it makes this a little bit easier and let's us know that the school is still thinking about us," he said.
It’s just what Hart and the rest of the RGHS staff were hoping the seniors felt.
"We wanted to do something to recognize our RG students since their senior year has not turned out the way anyone would’ve hoped," she said.

Putting my money where my talent-less mouth is

A few weeks ago I wrote a little piece about what artists were doing to provide entertainment and fun for their audiences during COVID-19 shutdowns. One of those I featured was the Barrow-Civic Theatre's new YouTube page with local thespians sharing short monologues.
When I communicated with the theater director Zach Covington I suggested having some fun making my own monologue. I'm not sure if I really meant it when I said it, but I decided, despite only ever having one line in one play in my entire life, I'd give it a shot.
Unfortunately the audio is wonky on my phone, but I thought I'd share it you all anyway and implore you to check out the fun local talent at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrB5crdoB2QLqoNKaI0QRaQ

Support these young people and this treasure of a theater.
And have some fun making your own monologue and submit it to them.
Maybe I'll start a fundraiser.... if we raise $1,000 for the theater I'll promise to take this video down and never do it again. If we raise $5,000 I'll keep it up and do another one!
Send your checks to the
Barrow-Civic Theatre,
1223 Liberty StreetPO Box 1089
Franklin, PA 16323

And just say, for the love of God make Sayer STOP/DO more videos!
They could use the help right now.

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Not so "Grumpy"

4/25/2020

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Today's feature photograph of the day comes from a story I'll have ready for tomorrow's posting of stories. The Grumpy Goat Distillery in Franklin has temporarily turned its operation into serving the community with World Health Organization grade hand sanitizer and have been giving it to local first-responders for a few weeks now. Saturday they set-up a table and gave it out to whoever came by with a container. Kim and Tom Kingdom are showing what being responsible community business people are all about.

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What the dairy?

4/24/2020

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I would never admit to knowing anything about the dairy industry. It seems simple to me, we need milk, we need dairy farmers to produce milk, and we need healthy cows producing milk. But this industry is anything but simple. In northwest Pa. we have a number of dairy farmers who invest a lot of money into maintaining their ability to produce the milk we need for our breakfast cereal and cottage cheese for our salad or topping for our burgers. That doesn't even mention the most important of all.... ice cream. So today's feature picture is of some curious friends I made today at Rynd Home Farm as I'm beginning to piece together a series on local dairy farmers. This weekend I'll have a short story that I hope to expand on in the near future. Dumping milk doesn't seem to be the answer these days, so what is?

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Showing love in COVID is hard, but maybe more meaningful than ever

4/23/2020

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Today's featured photograph of the day comes from witnessing a family's love during a very strained time in our lives.
Ben Baker is graduating with a degree in sports medicine from the University of Pittsburgh. His family is extremely proud of him, but they are being robbed of that cap and gown moment by this COVID-19 virus.
Jodi Baker Lewis wouldn't be robbed of her pride though. She organized a graduation party via a drive by family get together at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh for her son. She, family and friends brought car loads of food and drink to Baker who is living in the heart of western Pennsylvanias highest COVID-19 areas. They wanted to give him the fixin's to have a party with his closest friends also graduating.
Jodi wanted so badly to give her son a hug but they settled for an elbow bump and a promise of a hug when this whole virus mess is over.

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I just had one of those moments!

4/22/2020

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Feature Photograph of the day: Tuesday week 2

4/21/2020

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The world feels upside down these days. We're all trying to figure out how to navigate our way through this pandemic.
So many differing opinions.
So much confusion.
We don't know which way is up.
I saw this picture(bottom) this morning as I was walking towards Smock bridge in Meadville. I had been thinking about the President's twitter proclamation over night stating that he was going suspend immigration with an executive order.
This reflection in a puddle near Channellock (with their giant flag) seemed to say more to me about where this country is now and the president's decision than anything I could right.
The top image is flipped to better read the sign.
This world is upside-down right now so I thought I'd present it that way.

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Feature Photograph of the day goes way back. Monday, Week 2.

4/20/2020

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This Meadville Tribune file photo from 1999 was featured Sunday again in the Tribune as part of their looking back series. Trib sports writer and long-time friend Lisa Renwick asked me if i had any old stories to tell, this one popped to my mind immediately. I edited the story again for blog so its a little different than what appeared in the paper.

Usually stories that begin with a state trooper barreling down on you with lights and siren blaring don't end well. But this one ain't so bad.
On Memorial Day 2000, I was assigned to cover the District 10 championship game between Iroquois and Linesville. Iroquois, a perennial powerhouse then, were favored to win.

Sports editor Bob Heist was covering the game and basically told me Linesville will lose and to just get a vertical action shot for the sports front.
Since I had other assignments that day that sorta took the pressure off, except I don't really work that way. Every assignment is a story and requires my best effort.

I don't remember what my other assignments were, but they put me out in the western part of the county. Probably a Memorial Day event at a cemetery. It must've run later than I hoped because I was pretty stressed out that I was missing the game back in Meadville.
Let me preface this next part by saying, at the time, I used this stuff called film and could not know instantly if I got the shot or not. I was a confident, but I liked having plenty of time to make good photos.

Feeling nervous about the time, I pressed the pedal a little heavier toward the medal heading up Gable Hill. The rumor, as told to me by the state trooper a few moments later, was I was doing in the neighborhood of 80 miles per hour.
I wasn't in my usual beat up clunker, I was in smoother-riding larger car. I haven't disputed the rumor.

By the time I realized I was being trailed by the law, I was near the I-79 overpass. I pulled over and just watched the hands on my watch spinning away.
I was clocked by an unmarked car driven by a lieutenant. After he wasn't getting my attention with his blinking lights, he must've called for backup. The cruiser with lights and siren I most certainly noticed.

When the determined looking trooper approached by vehicle, I explained myself including where I was headed. Spying my camera gear on the seat the trooper asked if I worked for the paper.

He took my paperwork to his superior in the unmarked car before returning shortly to tell me I was getting a warning.
I recall him saying “the lieutenant said his (niece or grand-daughter) is playing so get there. Just slow it down and be safe." He may have even dropped the players name and number.

So, on I went… probably a few miles per hour under the speed limit..

Then

Now

When I arrived, it was the sixth inning. Linesville was at bat but, as predicted, losing 4-1.
The field was horrible for photographers. Only one decent spot between backstop and dugout. Seems everyone and their brother knew that was the only decent spot.
A couple TV crews, the Erie-Times guy, about 27 moms with cameras and tall Dave from the Linesville weekly were already there.

Instead of trying to fight my way in and get in someone else's way I tried other spots. At one point I walk way out past first base. This was a terrible spot, but Linesville had a runner on first. Knowing this was a Rick Chesko team and they needed to make something happen, I knew this girl was running on the next pitch. She did. I got a play at second where the ball wasn't handled. At least I felt I did, remember…film.

The bright orange shirted Lady Lions then plated four runners to take the lead.
I got next to nothing that showed this from my spot out in right field.

As Iroquois went to bat I knew I needed to get somewhere else to get the end of the game. At this point i thought there were 27 moms and tall Dave all with better pictures than me.

"They were supposed to lose," I remember thinking.

This was the photo I captured from out in RF past the first base line.

The pitcher was one of the Blood girls who were known for being cool under pressure and fierce. I remember she snarled when she pitched.
I decided I really need to assert myself and work my way into the good spot. By now the ranks had grown, there must've been 35 moms with cameras now, all very excited to be where they were.

I walked around to the other side and found a spot among the Iroquois bench. It wasn't a good spot and I knew it, I was frustrated I just wasn't going to get a good photo of the celebration or even the dejection if they didn't win. But it was what it was.

Then, the third out came and the orange shirts erupted. They swarmed the now smiling pitcher, her snarl softened.The 35 moms with cameras erupted, the bench erupted, I think even tall Dave erupted.

I started snapping what I figured were mediocre shots. I did see the Iroquois final batter being consoled by the first base coach and thought, OK, that tells a story when paired with the celebration. I did notice, at one point, a player land from out of nowhere while shooting.

There is an old saying in photography "if you saw it, you missed it." Remember that as you keep reading.

After things calmed down I made some more obligatory frames of celebration and trophy presentations. Now there seemed to be 50 moms with cameras, tall Dave was there, the Erie-Times guy was looking like he knew way more than I did about being a photographer and the TV crews, all on the field trying to make pictures of this happy team.

I resigned myself to the fact that I probably had what I need, but nothing special.

Back at the paper, about an hour later, after processing my film I was looking at the negatives. The play at second looked pretty cool and would work for that vertical picture.

But then, a few frames later, I stopped dead.

Remember "if you see it, you missed it?" Well in this frame there was a player in mid-air, there was a glove in mid-air, there was a frozen moment in time. It had everything, a unique moment, a celebration, the agony of defeat, it was sharp….. but, it wasn't vertical.

I hurried to get a print out to take to the editor to discuss. He was busy writing the story and said he really needed a vertical. I said something snotty about it being only about 6 o'clock and our deadline is 11:30. He passed me off to the assistant sports editor Dom Dirienzo who was laying out that night.

What Dom did next is why he will continue to be a hero of mine for life. He said "wow, yeah I can change the layout."

It ran as a big 4 column photo the next day.

To this day it could very well be the best image I've ever made. And I thought I wasn't going to get a good photo at all.

Please check out my old friends at The Meadville Tribune at meadvilletribune.com

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A new feature, Young journalists kicking butt in crisis and retailers helping each other out are some of this week's stories.

4/19/2020

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The school shutdown won't stop these young journalist featured below.

Signs of spring are everywhere.The stay at home order is confused with a stay inside order. There is life happening outside. Share your pics.

This week I began a new (old) feature called the "Featured Photograph of the Day" on this website. My goal is to share a photograph from our community each day. I did for years once, can't see why I can't again.

See what fun retailers can have while doing good helping out fellow businesses during this COVID-19 crisis in a story from Franklin below.

A school shutdown can't stop a Panther

By Richard Sayer

"This is what we do."

These words showed up on journalist's social media profiles all over the world at the end of 2014 after the death of Washington Post photojournalist Michel duCille. It was something duCille repeated to colleagues through the years covering crisis. It was how journalists decided to honor his memory.
duCille died of an apparent heart attack while covering, up close and personal, the Ebola crisis in Liberia.

"This is what we do."

Seasoned journalists understand that when large groups of people run one way to get away from danger, journalists must run toward danger to cover it.
But what about high school kids in a journalism class? They are not seasoned veterans and in cases like this year's school shut down, they are not even bound by a curriculum.

For a group of Saegertown High School students who are "The Panther Press," the school's newspaper staff, a grade has not been the motivation for what have been up to since Governor Tom Wolf closed schools on March 13.
Panther Press advisor Stacey Hetrick said that when the school was shut down, she and editor in chief Sam Shelenberger made sure the journalism computer wasn't locked down. They knew they had work to do. They called the staff and made a plan.
Three days later they published the first story in an on-going series called "Saegertown Shutdown Stories."

"This is what we do."

Since then they have executed and posted at least one story a day on their website thepantherpress.com. They are using pictures and videos and even something called TikTok to communicate with their readers. They even put out their planned newspaper on March 20 with the help of Hetrick who did the layout from her home.

"This is what we do."

Hetrick always tells her students there are 450 stories to tell at Saegertown High School. So when the staff got together online to discuss ideas, it didn't take long to fill up their story board and hand assignments out.
"I'm glad we are able to put out stories for others to see," said Meadow Campbell, Opinions editor. "Journalism is hard, but the end result is amazing. I've noticed that my work doesn't go unnoticed."

She is right.

PENNCREST school board member Jeff Brooks says he is impressed, but not surprised by their effort. "I dont think they are doing the work because they are students, but because [Hetrick] has them living up to the ideals of being journalists. They believe in what they are doing and feel obligated to inform the public. I've seen it from them year after year," Brooks said.

The staff has been interviewed by colleges and journalism publications for their efforts and The Meadville Tribune has been publishing some of their stories.

"This is what we do."

Managing editor Nick Archacki remembers reaching out to Hetrick immediately after hearing about the shutdown. "We couldn't let this virus control everything in our lives. We had to continue writing stories like it was a normal day of school," he said.

Out of the gate Archacki wrote a first person story about living with a woman who could potentially be on the front lines fighting this virus - his mom, a nurse at the Meadville Medical Center.
His story shared a perspective on the virus that helped bring the pandemic closer to home at a time when it hadn’t yet affected local life.

"This is what we do."

The Panther journalists agree that communication is the biggest obstacle they face during the shutdown. In school they could meet as a group, but this has been more one on one or working via an online message board.

"(We are) trying to write the first rough draft of history with everything that has been going on and affecting our community,” Shelenberger said. “I believe it is important to keep publishing these stories because this is a period of time that we are all going to remember."

Showcasing the student talents and profiles have been been fodder for many stories. An art student doing make-up TikTok videos to create her work, how relationships are affected by social distancing, and how the school shutdown is going to effect seniors who have enlisted in the armed forces are all topics the staff has tackled in the last three weeks.

"This is what we do."

Remember, these are high school students who are experiencing the same things as their classmates - the fear of the unknown, the loss of part of their education lives and the day-to-day struggles of the stay at home orders.

"I've lost my senior year of high school," said Archacki.

But they are still learning new things through the process. Some are getting more one on one time on stories with Hetrick because they have more time - though it is over the phone.

Being a part of telling stories like that has been extremely important to Campbell and her peers who are gaining a better understand their school and community.
"I have learned that my school is more caring than I had thought,” Campbell noted. “Many of the teachers in our school have reached out to various students to make sure they are OK. Our school is offering free meals."

"This is what we do."

For Hetrick, this has been a trying, but rewarding teaching experience. "It has been exciting and humbling to be working with young journalists who are doing this series voluntarily. No points. No grades. They are telling these stories because it is important to do so," she said.
"I just want my staff to know how incredibly proud I am of them and how stubborn we're going to continue to be. We said we're going to publish a story a day, that is our goal and we're going to just keep telling those stories."

"I feel like we're achieving something that not many high schools are, reporting on stories during this time." Archacki said. "It shows how a group of journalists from a little town, can continue to have a voice in the world. It's been a tough time but nothing will stop us from writing."

"This is what we do."

Helping out community with eyes closed

There is over $17,000 ready to be spent in Franklin when businesses are, once again, allowed open their doors.
The Franklin Retail and Business Association is hoping to help jump start business downtown through the "Retail Relief Project" begun after Governor Tom Wolf's COVID-19 mitigation efforts closed businesses across the Commonwealth.
"The goal of the project is to raise funds for the sole purpose of issuing gift certificates… in order to flood our participating member locations as soon as they are up and running again," said association president Jess Carroll.
The idea came about after Franklin businessman, Dave Ballard, approached the association wanting to purchase a bunch of gift certificates to give out. He then challenged the association to promote the idea.
Carroll and association vice-president Tony Neidich began to brainstorm. Carroll drew inspiration for the promotion after observing her kids. "I thought about what my kids do when they are bored - they draw." she said. She then added difficulty by covering the eyes to make it even more fun. The "Blindfold Portrait Challenge," was born.
Neidich and Carroll got the promotion started by taking the challenge themselves while making the explanatory video to put out on social media. "We drew each other and cracked up. And there it was, a fun way to raise money and distract ourselves for a moment about the seriousness of the virus."

The initial video for the challenge has been viewed about 4,400 times and has nearly 90 shares. Under the video are all the rules for the challenge and how to potentially win one of the gift certificates.

And now, with art and closed eyes, the association and the community are making some serious cash to help local businesses.
The challenge is simple, you don't have to be a Rembrandt or even a Picasso, in fact, most of the drawings so far resemble the work of a third-grade trouble maker drawing on the desk during detention.
You just have to want to help out your economic community.
The challenge goes like this: get a couple pieces of paper, a marker, find a spot to draw and a way to cover your eyes. Have two people in mind, then set your phone to video, get an assistant or use selfie mode and commence to drawing two portraits in just 30 seconds.
After completing the task, show the "work of art" to the camera and challenge two others to do the same.
Then, if you are able, make a donation of any amount to the retail association’s relief fund.
And don’t forget the final step - share it on social media so the people you challenge know about it and you can inspire others to get involved.

Not everyone nominated does the drawings, Carroll admits, but even so some still make donations and even challenge others.
"We will be giving away almost 650 gift certificates throughout the area," Carroll said. "Some of these will be given away specifically through our page and promotions, but the majority will be given away by the members to use for their own promos to get folks into their businesses."
The certificates can be used at more than 50 participating downtown Franklin businesses.
Some other donations have also been coming in that will be used to help out in other ways, Carroll said. "Undesignated funds will be used for those businesses who may just need a bump to get through, to fund promotions to get commerce back up and running, and to prepare for future events and unforeseen circumstances." she explained.
Carroll said a person called this week wanting to donate her stimulus check. A local musician last week held a virtual concert on-line to help. All of these efforts along with the Blindfold Portrait Challenge will help put money back into the local economy and help businesses struggling during this strange time.
“We are proud of the community members who really stepped up to help us. The generosity is humbling and fills my heart with such joy and hope for the future," said Carroll
The challenge will continue until businesses are able to reopen.

For more information or to get involved contact Jess Carroll at franklinretailrelief@gmail.com or message them on their Facebook page.

NOTE: The businesses will get the money when the girt certificates are used, so use the gift certificates!

Dusting off an old idea

Years ago I began posting a photo a day on a website very similar to this one here. I discovered a photojournalist in up-state New York named Will Yurman, who took and posted a photo a day for several years in a row. Looking through his images, which were great, I realized I was getting a glimpse into the world of a newspaper photographer who was a human being, who had a family and who was fascinated by the world around him enough to make a picture every day to share.
I followed his lead for a few years, but it faded away awhile back for some reason.
I just looked up that photojournalist, who teaches now at Penn State, and he is still at it, over 5,000 days in a row, though I think, he admitted to me once that a nasty flu made him have to double post at least one day.

Anyway, this week I began my latest attempt at maintaining this discipline in hopes that I can share something new each day with you all. This hasn't been easy in this pandemic and this week I admit I'm no Will Yurman, a mild bug slowed me down. But I hope to make this feature something you all look forward to each day. The above image was my first Featured Picture of the day.
They will appear on this website daily for now.

My life lets me meet interesting folk

Earlier in the week I managed to have a really great conversation at about 15 feet away with Les Clark as he was pruning some Apple trees at his Canal Township farm. I shared that conversation as my Wednesday featured photograph of the day here.

Share your spring photos

Do you explore life with your camera. I'd love to see your world through your eyes. Soon I am going to start a featured on local artists featuring a very talented observer of the world around her and all around lover of life. I'm also on the look out for short story writers and poets I want to feature on this site and eventually a monthly or weekly publication. Email me at richardsayerphotography@gmail.com if interested in submitting your work.

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Featured Photograph of the day: Saturday, week 1

4/18/2020

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I'm a people photographer.
When I was in photo school, a gabillion years ago, the mantra was..."that photo needs a person in it." I've never really gotten over that.
To me, photography helps us explain ourselves, to ourselves.
I didn't make that up, it comes from a great photographer named Edward Steichen who created the ground-breaking exhibition called "The family of Man."
This exhibition and book, was one of the great influences on photographers of my age. Understanding this concept of photography helped me know when I am truly telling a story vs. taking a picture.

Here is where I say social distancing sucks.

When I work a story I get close to folks. To me I want to feel something from their energy to better know how to make a photo. "If your pictures aren't good enough, your'e not close enough" - Robert Capa
This week I felt a little under the weather and because of that I didn't venture out much. I don't believe I have the coronavirus, but I don't want others to worry and I don't want to risk exposure while my immune system is weakened.
So as a result, my feature pics of the day aren't what I want them to be, even though to me a cow, a duck and even a flower can substitute for a person, my true goal is to tell visual stories of people.
That said I still had fun taking this photo with my phone in Meadville. Nature is a wonder and it slows down for no virus!

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Featured photograph of the day: Friday, week 1

4/17/2020

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One of the last stories I worked on at The Derrick and News-Herald was a fun activity that was spreading across the country. The bear scavenger hunt has folks placing bears of all sorts in public view for kids mostly, but many adults seem to like seeing them too. I didn't think it would really be something, but then I began seeing them more and more. This one on Route 322 between Cochranton and Franklin even made me smile as it just looks like its waving at the cars going by.

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Featured Photograph of the day Thursday week 1

4/16/2020

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I'm hoping to learn more about what is happening with dairy now with all these reports of dumping milk and farmers being cut from the places they've been selling their milk.

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Featured photograph of the day

4/15/2020

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Les Clark, of Canal Township, had to promise his wife he would keep both feet on the ground before she'd let him go outside to prune apple trees Tuesday afternoon. He admitted it was a good idea.
Clark said his farm was once loaded with trees but, in retirement from his fruit business, he's now down to just a few. But even these few produced over 70 bushel last year.
These days he and his wife are adhering to the Governors stay at home order. Les said even when family comes to visit they chat from the porch. He said he fits four of the at risk categories, so he's not taking any chances.
As I approached him, I shouted, "I won't get too close." He chuckled and said as long as I stayed 6 or 7 feet away we'd be alright. I don't think I got within 10. That didn't stop us from having a really nice, nearly hour-long conversation. I learned a lot about pruning and caring for apple trees. How to recognize when the tree is ready to bud and about newer styles of tree that are trellised rather than planted as stand alones.
I told him about the one tree I ever had to care for and that I managed to kill.
He was nice to tell me about a tree that he has been trying to save too.
He told stories of having a fruit farm and his, over 70, years on this planet.
He said he'd prune what he could on foot today, but a warmer day next week his wife will join him to steady the ladder so he can get the high stuff.

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Tuesday's photo of the day

4/14/2020

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A female Mallard takes off from Conneaut Lake Tuesday afternoon.
I was there because I am beginning to think about the Eight and 322 concept a little more deeply. Even though the crossroads in Franklin is my central point, Route 322 goes through some old stomping grounds for me. I thought, I'll take just little drives out that way to see how things have changed. For instance, this area, known as Fireman's Beach, has really changed since I once frequented it looking for feature photos. When I was a staffer at The Meadville Tribune I'd end up here a couple times a month. Since those day they have invested a pretty penny to up-grade the whole area.
So as I looked around, a really neat photo possibility happened just behind me, I missed it with my camera. This and another duck landed in the water about 15 feet away. I really wished I saw them coming because that would've been my picture with boat docks and a fisherman in the background.
Getting this image was a nice second chance, but really wished I was prepared for the other photo.

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Happy Easter, happy birthday sis and other stories

4/11/2020

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What's in today's offering?

This is a tough time to away from loved ones. I took on a personal project because my mom is alone in a nursing facility in Florida. This picture of a birthday girl is part of that project. You can read about it below.

#ICYMI is a story about the state of Pennsylvania making the decision to open up the trout season a couple weeks early to give anglers something to do while social distancing and perhaps avoid the large opening day crowds. You can visit this story via a link below.

News this week of COVID-19 related layoffs in the city of Franklin prompted this story about what will the normally packed summer schedule look like as a result. You can read this featured story below.

Though I couldn't quite see the moon when it was the 'pink" super-moon on Tuesday, the clouds did seperate long enough to get a photo. This and a few other photos from this week can be viewed below.

Franklin events: planning not on hold despite uncertainty

Downtown Franklin events draw crowds - big ones usually.
People from all over western Pennsylvania line Liberty Street for parades, fill the parks selling their wares and specialty treats and oftentimes, folks sit lawn chair to lawn chair watching a good show.

Franklin has never been a place in the summer for social distancing. Each week there is something happening - a concert - a festival - some rock throwing, water skipping thingy and a several weeks long competition to crown the latest local vocal talent.
All draw crowds downtown to form a sense of community.

That is the way it has always been.

Until now during this pandemic, at a where we all have to think a little differently about how we say hello to our neighbor passing us by in the street.

But the show must go on as the saying goes.

And it will...but, when? That's what the million dollar question is now.

These events don't just happen. They are planned, coordinated, fretted over and organized for hours.... days.... weeks using sweat equity and perseverance.
Dedicated individuals who love their community make them happen.
Last week's announcement that the City of Franklin was forced to lay-off nine of its employees due to the ongoing financial woes stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak, two of which were from events planning, appeared to threaten all that pain staking planning.

Or did it?

It would seem devastating for most towns.... but not Franklin.
Franklin has a mother's love watching over it no matter what.
"We hope to keep a positive outlook, that's what gets you through [things like] this." Franklin events coordinator Ronnie Beith said Thursday afternoon.
Beith was one of the nine laid off employees, but her love of this town is greater than a paycheck, Franklin is her baby, and she is not alone.
"Me being laid off isn't the important thing, the important thing is that we carry on," she said.
Beith admitted it takes a huge team of individuals to pull off nearly flawless events.
It takes public works folks to get the grounds ready and be sure everything is set. They lost a member in the lay-off. It takes a lot of administrative planning and coordination. Three people in administration had to be temporarily let go. The events and marketing team was laid off, as well as a member or two in the police department. Beith says so many people are needed to pull off the events.
COVID-19 has cut into that, caused doubt that this years events will be able to take place if the Governors stay at home orders remain in place.
Franklin city manager Tracy Jamieson concurs. She mentioned once the Governor lifts the stay at home orders, the city still has hurdles to jump. She cited staffing levels and just being able to get police, streets and parks ready for events. She said she'd like to be hopeful, but is cautious about the reality of this virus's impact on the community.
As of now the city is still approving the use of it's parks and facilities, but are letting everyone know they have the right to cancel if needed. And to check back at least two weeks prior for an update.
Still, Beith and others continue working behind the scenes to be sure this year's events are ready to go if, or when, they are allowed.
"Our first commitment is to public health. This situation is fragile and we want to have confidence, when we begin, by walking slowly back into a new normal. We will be ready...but do not want to begin one minute too soon." said Beith.
She knows that the event schedule for this summer has to be tentative, but, if they are going to be able to have events at all, they still need to be planned.
So planning is still in effect and other than the Franklin Garden Associations annual MayMart officially being cancelled, the schedule will be put together and evaluated, as needed, based on health department recommendations.
"Patience and the wisdom of health professionals is our main guide. After that critical determination and city concerns are addressed - we can begin with caution. We are ready when it is safe and all things are right." Beith said.
In the meantime, despite the city having to make cutbacks, the future will remain the focus. The Franklin events website and Facebook page will continue with business updates in their weekly COVID-19 local roundup. Beith and others are also working hard to find items for everyone to do during social distancing.
A recent post they shared about Easter eggs went vial. They want to be sure we are all still connected to the community no matter what.

To keep up-to-date visit:
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinPAEvents/posts/2930003800371759?__tn__=K-R

A project for mom, yes I was once that cute.

A few months back I received a message from my mom. "Your aunt is sending you some pictures of Grampas to go through."
My mom is a scrap book historian and has been on the search for photos of my brother Russell since he passed away last year.
My aunt, who we call Auntie, sent grampas old slides to me to go through. The thought process, I am a photographer, I can go through them faster.
I admit I wasn't really up for the task, but, I agreed to it. Little did I knowit was never a question, they were already in the mail.
Funny, mom still knows best.
Even funnier, when the box arrived, it wasn't a tiny box.
In fact, it was fairly large box. I mean a feeling of dread came over the land sized box.
There were a dozen 8"X16"x2" metal boxes all loaded to the gills with 2"x2" slides inside. Conservatively there were 5,000 slides inside these tombs of storage.

Now, to be fair, I've shot nearly that many photos at a wedding before. But as the photographer I knew what I was looking for and I could look at them on a big computer screen, make quick decisions and edit.
Looking at these old slides required squinting and the use of a lupe(jewelers or old school photographer's devise!) or magnifier. And a sore back and neck.

Mom fell and everything changed

When my mom fell and ended up in the hospital, I sorta started to go through theses boxes of slides. Maybe to lift her spirits?

Now, let me just say, I loved my grandfather and he was a camera enthusiast for sure, but I did not inherit my 'talents' for making photographs from him.

Not at all.

In these boxes were thousands of "this is where I was," kind of photos.
Most of these weren't what I'd call Ansel Adams shots. In fact, as I looked at them I wondered what gramp saw that he felt a need to snap a frame of good ole film? So I quickly weeded and sorted.

But in these boxes were indeed, gems.

Mixed among the poorly lit and composed landscapes were images of family, some I could recognize, others I imagined mom could recognize!
I could imagine grampa setting up the old projector and screen in the living room and pausing on every one to explain something about it that he thought was interesting as we all sat in a dark living room with that clicking sound of a slide projector for hours. 78 picture over-looking some valley on a hazy day, a handful photos of people on the journey and then another 51 photos of another valley that looked exactly like the other one to me. I'm sure I said "uggh" on a couple of occasions and imagined half asleep family members back in 1968 thinking the same thing.

I weeded the pictures without people out fast. Many of the people I didn't recognized. Most slides were from before my time, but I want to preserve the ones that maybe mom would recognize.
In the picture above my mom is the one on the far right in the foreground. There are only 4 of us in this picture still alive. It was taken in my grandparents back yard. I'll never forget this place. I created all sorts of worlds in this backyard in which I played for hours.

So now, looking through these photographs, knowing I cannot go visit my mother during this dreadful virus, I just am like everyone else...lost.
We are trying to move forward, but its a very weird time.

So I go through these old slides of my grandfathers hoping to find ones to activate parts of my mom's mind so we can remember good folks of the past and feel good about the now. My sister and brother have been chiming in with details on text messages where I'm sharing these, but it is mom's recollections that matter most.
With her in a nursing facility that I cannot even visit right now, a great deal of torment anxiety forms. I remember her sacrificing everything for me, but I can't return that level of love right now.
So these pictures are my little hugs to her.
Maybe these digital copies of some old photos stimulates her memories and therefore..... gives her something to look forward to.

I guess if there are positives to this virus, and believe me, I'd trade any positive for people not getting sick and dying, its that I get to look back a little on my mom's life with her through these photos. And yes I did appear in some at the end.
Its like everything, first child gets two boxes of slides, the next two kids combine for one box and the fourth child has a few slides that never even made it out of the packaging that they came back from the lab in.
But to me, all of this is a good way to spend this quarantine, documenting what otherwise would be forgotten.

This is photograph my grandfather took that I both liked as a photo and because it's of my big sister. Taken years before I was even a twinkle in my father's eye it was a sweet memory of my great - grandmothers daffodils and my sister from before I knew her. April 11 is her birthday and lets just say, if she was a coffee drinker, she'd be eligible now for some hefty saving down at the ole McD's. Happy birthday sis.

Social distancing along the rivers

A good guide is to put fishing pole in your outstretched hand and the next closest person to you should be no closer than the end of your line. #ICYMI This tip and more info was shared in a short story on Tuesday. You can read it here.

These anglers were enjoying a Saturday along the creek in Cooperstown.

Easter via ether

Area Christian spiritual leaders got ready to celebrate Easter this year by getting behind the video camera and no one in the chapel.
Clergy all over the area used technology to bring their flock together. Many prerecording their sermons Saturday in order to be sure they were uploaded to social media channels for Sunday morning.
Two churches, the Oil City Vineyard church, which holds its services at the YWCA, and Trinity United Methodist Church in Oil City, that uses the smaller chapel for their recorded messages both had there messages ready for Sunday morning.

Charlie Cotherman of the Oil City Vineyard Church wore his mask up to the point of delivering his sermon Saturday for the camera. He mentioned that his church has grown so much that he wondered how he was going to fit everyone into the Easter service before the COVID-19 outbreak changed everything.

Later in the day on Saturday, Trinity United Methodist pastor Julie Kolacz prerecorded the eater sermon in the smaller chapel inside the church.

Cotherman was joined by one camera operator and Kolacz was joined by two folks working as camera operator and musicians for the service.

Happy Easter everyone!

Just one more....

Many area communities got a visit Saturday from the Easter Bunny. Area egg hunts had to be cancelled due to the stay at home and social distancing orders from the governor, so area fire departments and law enforcement did what they could to bring the Easter Bunny to them.

Families lined the streets, like Jace Horn, 2, of Cooperstown, to get a look at the fire trucks and the Easter Bunny too.

OK. I lied, now this is just one more

This past week we had a giant super moon. The cloudy skies cleared enough for a glimpse once it was high in the sky and missing the pink color it was projected to have as it rose.

Haha, I lied again, just one more from Franklin

Though it may seem like life has been put on halt, nature has not gotten the memo. Perhaps one of the unforeseen victims of the COVID-19 pandemic is the witnessing of beauty in our small town parks.

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Reducing production at Rynd Home Farm amid reports of milk dumping

New Love Notes series looking for submissions

Crawford County teachers hold friendly contest to raise money to help

New Feature coming this week: Featured Artist of the month

NOTE: Coming later today

Grove seniors are not forgotten

Putting my money where my talent-less mouth is

A school shutdown can't stop a Panther

Helping out community with eyes closed

Dusting off an old idea

My life lets me meet interesting folk

Share your spring photos

Franklin events: planning not on hold despite uncertainty

A project for mom, yes I was once that cute.

Social distancing along the rivers

Easter via ether

Just one more....

OK. I lied, now this is just one more

Haha, I lied again, just one more from Franklin

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