I'll admit, all I really know is, when I see a story, I feel it.... then I hope I can tell it. I'm not out to tell the greatest story ever told. The dude that put Winnie the Pooh stories together already did that. What I hope to do is help weave the fabric of our community together in a way that we can sit back and understand who we are just a little bit better. No I don't have a secret formula to do this - just patience and hopefully a heart that is in tune. Since being laid off I've been taking my time with the luxury of a kind unemployment to hone some skills and continue to tell community stories. As we know by paying attention to the news that the kind unemployment is about to end and I have to decide my future. Scary! I've devoted nearly half my life to telling small commiunity stories and frankly, I'm not sure I know what else to do. So I'll try to keep doing this. I really don't have a desire to compete with my friends at the Derrick or evan the Tribune. Both are fine papers that have the resources to cover the daily stories we need to know about. I love local newspapers. But there seems to be less of a need for a photojournalist who has a penchant for finding the heart of a community instead of illustrating the surface, This isn't a dig, it is just a reality. Newspapers have to decide what resources they NEED vs. what they want. I'm hoping that I can create something the community both needs and wants in time. Each week I move an inch or even a full step closer to providing this. It ain't easy. I'm hoping my love for community storytelling rings enough in the hearts of people who crave to understand themselves and their place a little better that we can grow together. Forward! |
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Her face said it all. Gloria Mancilla-Balog told host Todd Adkins that she was surprised she was even on stage for the finals. Saturday night she performed her two songs, "Hey there Delilah" and "Brand New Key" and stood up with the other finalists for the announcement. Her face showed her shock and amazement when Adkins announced she was the winner. The virtual contest lacked the excitement of the live crowd the organizers are used to from the years of holding the event in Bandstand Park. "I want the park back," said Franklin Arts Council president Pat Dolecki who understands why they couldn't hold the event in the park. She and cohort Ronnie Beith, despite all odds and difficulties, still managed to hold the competition when most everything else has been cancelled. For that they should be commended. Congrats Gloria Mancilla-Balog. Below are some images from Saturday night's finale. On a personal note. I don't impress easily. When Kaylene Dunkle belted out the Queen song "The Show Must Go On" I really thought that was one of the best ways I've ever heard Taste conclude. A gospel song a couple years ago was also very powerful. Also I met Lindsey Crabtree a few years ago when I did a story on her competitive cheer squad. Her vocal power and ability to command the stage as she performs I thought was impressive. I'm not a fan of the music she likes(Old hippie dude here) but I was moved by the power in which she raised each song to high points week after week. Ian Best is an incredible talent and a super good guy. I bothered him last year when he was playing shrek and watched him squeeze his head into the Ogre mask that was just too tight, but he still managed to go on.
Tonight listening to Mancilla-Balog sing "Brand New Key," which has a very weird vocal range to it, I was impressed how she just sings effortlessly. And I just want to give kudos to Ronnie and Pat. It would've been easy to cancel, but you didn't and you still put together a little bit of hope for people tuning in online. I know it wasn't the same as being in the park, but you didn't give up and you found a way to give something to the community. Well done and thank you for letting this old unemployed photographer tag along for the ride. Featured photographs of the day come from Cochranton To view more photos please visit:
https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p336731295 |
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