#TBT My 'On the Road' experience

Jerry Sowden had a great idea. We should have books about where we live. He created his own book that can be found in the Oil City Library titled "Images: Through a Journalistic Eye Volume 1."

After the success of that book, he then worked with area leaders on an idea of a second book, but this time he would recruit other area photographers and create a "Weekend in the Life of Venango County" style book.

​Awesome idea.

At the time I was working at The Meadville Tribune and Jerry asked if I'd be interested.

I told him I wasn't very familiar with Venango County, but I love the idea. He said he thought most of the photographers he had in mind were more familiar with the southern part of the county and he didn't have anyone to really explore the areas up north that skirt the edges of Crawford County.

I said OK.

I got to thinking about Charles Kuralt hitting the road in his motorhome in search of stories and though I was a tad scared, I went for it.

​I even took the weekend off from work so I could.

So I went down into that little tiny corner of Venango County that cuts into Route 27 and decided that would be where I would explore.

I went to church.

Now before I explain much more about my approach, Jerry and I talked months later and the idea for this book, according to the people he was talking to, was more of a scenic coffee table style pretty picture book.

Haha. I don't do that.

To me, planet earth is a beautiful place to live, but it is people who we, as journalists, communicate with and tell stories about. So my approach was people oriented.

So at this church I talked my way into their service and was welcomed. I told them about the project and they seemed excited to be included.

I tried to be a fly on the sanctuary wall and just observe.

Suddenly as the preacher, Glen Van Cise, asked people to pray for those who received some bad news I watched several hands reach out and touch Marylin Bossard as she broke down in tears.

She had been given bad news just a few days prior about an aggressive cancer that was attacking her.

I learned about the cancer later when I approached them and apologized for asking, but asking none-the-less, about what I witnessed. The pastor came by and gave her a hug and she opened up to me.

Sadly, it was only a few weeks later that she passed away. I felt honored that this might be in the book.

As I watched others around the church, I made a few more photos. A grandfather holding a grandchild asleep during the service, a teacher playing with a youngster over the pew and more snoozing. I was able to even stay for a prayer study and bible school.

Then I was told by multiple church members that I should talk to one of their members who wasn't at church that day. "He has one heck of a story," the pastor told me as he gave me his address.  Fred McMahon was a World War II prisoner of War for seven months.  I was able to connect with him and made a few portraits. His health was failing, but he agreed to chat with me. I had wished at this point I was Kuralt crafting better stories, because I found two great ones in a short amount of time. What he told me that day was amazing. 
​How these men survived that war and thrived after will always be amazing. 

The whole weekend I just drove around and if something seemed interesting I stopped and introduced myself and told about the project.

I had a few 'get losts' and 'not interested' folks, but the ones who were interested were interesting.

I met Dallas Bean who was an owner of Rolling Springs farm and used to be a champion horse puller. I got to spend a few hours on their farm and witness some of their hard work.

A farm is not an easy thing to maintain. This was a multi-generational dairy farm that took a whole family to maintain.

They were working on generations of cows as well and the prize milkers then were also bringing the next batch into the world.

I also had never seen so many cats and got a huge kick out of how they seemed to leave the barn with the cows.

​I commented to Dallas, who was driving the cows to the pasture that he was also a cat herder.

He admitted there was no herding cats but mentioned how important they were to keeping the rodent population down.

I enjoyed spending time on the farm. It made me think of my brother Russ and his stinky boots.

I found life in Venango County isn'y much different than Crawford County. People out doing things people do. Like dad's hitting grounders to their sons.

Or a couple geese trying to answer the question the chickens have been asking for years.

I found a parade in in Franklin.

A guy who owns a motorcross track and apparently likes the sound of whining engines all-day long.

I met a guy who loves to make violins and he could really play one too. That was one of my favorite parts, listening to this guy pick up a violin he made with his own two hands and then play it beautifully. That was a real treat for me. Thank you Robert Gordon.

I even made a couple of scenic pictures just to play along.

I drove along and found a few patriotic displays but the one that caught my attention was a woman who put photos of deployed soldiers on a couple of boards on her front lawn. I remember having a nice chat with her and her dad, but they weren't quite sure what to make of me. I get that a lot.

But perhaps my favorite story from the entire experience came from stumbling on these two tending a grave.

Buck and Grace Kelley had been divorced for 15 years at this point. Grace had knee replacement surgery and required some help. She insisted she is a "do it myself kind of gal," but her mobility was not so hot.

I thought it was quite nice that her ex-husband was still so willing to help her and then I learned it was his parents grave she wanted to clean up around. But the oddest part came next, even though they were divorced, they still shared their house.
​
This story gave me a sense of hope in the human race.

And they were funny as hell.

Sadly, the book was never made. I've shared a few of these images over the years from this project, this is the first many have been shared. When I began working at The Derrick I thought I might meet up with some of the folks I met that weekend, but I haven't. I do know a couple of them have passed away, but I don't know about the rest. 

Anyone who knows anybody in these photos please let them know. I was sad that the project never came to fruition, but this project really helped me grow and step out of my comfort zone. Thank you Jerry Sowden for this..... perhaps we can try again someday for a book?

Check out Jerry's book here or get down to the library to check it out. It's a great book! 
https://www.blurb.com/books/119673-images