November 1, 2013 Newsletter - Black Hills Photography Club

Black Hills Expressions
Newsletter of the Black Hills Photography Club
November/December 2013
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Wintery weather arrived early this year in western South
Dakota. I hope all members survived the early blizzard
and are back on track, despite the fluctuating fall temps.
I was not home during the early October storm, but my
heart goes out to those who lost livestock and trees and
suffered other damage. Hopefully, the weather will settle
down as we near the “real” winter months.
I apologize for canceling the night photography trip to
the Badlands. Again, the fall weather took its toll. I hope
club members have some thoughts of future field trips
for the winter. If so, please bring them up at a meeting
or contact a board member, so we can plan them into
the clubʼs calendar.
Chris will have more information soon, so get your
images ready!
I want to thank Jerry Rawlings and Dick Kettlewell for
judging our last two photography club competitions. I
heard positive feedback on their judging skills and
comments on each of the images. Itʼs awesome to have
such wonderful help and support. Thank you.
November and December are great months to get out
and shoot pictures. Winter provides many unique
opportunities to take great images. Donʼt forget to share
them on the clubʼs Facebook page. I hope to see you
out and about this winter with your camera in hand.
This is the last Newsletter for 2013. I want to thank
Chasity and Ted for their outstanding efforts. As
president, I value members who are willing to support
our club in both committee and board duties. I know the
nominating committee has been busy finding folks
willing to serve in leadership positions for the next term.
I want to thank those who are willing to help make our
club a success.
Club members are scheduled to display images in two
locations in December: Piedmont Library and Sturgis
Library. Chris Yushta is leading that effort. I hope you all
participate. This is a great way to introduce the Black
Hills Photography Club to the surrounding communities.
Your President, Harlan Humphrey
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORS
We welcome articles, tips, photos, items for sale and other
newsworthy information from members with a firm mid-December
deadline. This is YOUR newsletter, and all members are welcome and
encouraged to contribute.! !
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Thank you, Chasity & Ted
Toadstool Park, Nebraska Badlands
by Carol Keierleber
On Saturday, September 28, I went on a hiking trip to
Toadstool Park in Nebraska with a group of adventurous
senior citizens. This was not a photography outing, but
of course I had my fairly new Canon Rebel with me, and
I managed to shoot over 300 photos. I didn't have time
to compose my pictures, just had to point and shoot or
get left behind. Those seniors almost left me in the dust! Toadstool Park is in a remote area known as Nebraska
Badlands, which is located in the Western Nebraska
Oglala National Grasslands area (not near Oglala)
about 18 miles northwest of Crawford, NE, which is 18
miles west of Chadron, NE. You go almost 5 miles north
of Crawford on Hwy 71, and then about 13 miles west
and northwest on a very scenic and well marked, but
bumpy gravel Toadstool Road to the Toadstool Geologic
Park entrance. I donʼt recommend driving on the gravel road when itʼs
wet since some of the very rocky areas could be slick
and there might be a few muddy areas. Also hiking on
the trail and over the rocks could be difficult and
possibly dangerous if the rocks are wet and slippery. The park is operated by the United States Forest
Service. It contains a Badlands landscape and a
reconstructed sod house. The formations were made
from a mix of clay and volcanic ash, shaped by the
effects of water and wind over millions of years.
It has six picnic and camping spots, and also clean
basic restroom facilities. Expect a small day use and
an overnight camping fee. You will have to bring your
own water since this is far out in the 'boondocks." The Interpretive Toadstool Trail is very well marked,
and a detailed trail brochure is available at the Trail
Site, explaining the numbered post markers along
the one-mile loop hiking trail. This is a very
"photogenic trail.” I believe there is also a three-mile
hiking trail, although we just did the one-mile
loop. That gives me a good reason to go back again! Every Day Heroes
by Chasity Marcus
The enormity of worldly issues hadnʼt hit me until that
point. Actually, I remained “unaware” until the
repercussions of my brotherʼs tour of duty surfaced
years later. He was not the same docile, loving, laidback person I had grown up with... he was angry,
uneasy, confused.
Not until the past few years has my brother become
himself again, mentally and emotionally anyway. He still
suffers physical symptoms, undiagnosed, yet thought to
be residual effect from foreign chemicals.
I couldnʼt imagine life without him. My children
absolutely adore him, as I did. Still do.
I recently wrote website content for a new book about a
WWII Ace Fighter Pilot from North Dakota, selfpublished by a Black Hills author. The WWII pilotʼs intact
leather bound journal narrates the powerless control
one faces amidst a torturous war. Moved by the pilotʼs
bravery, the author encourages his readers to assess
the definition of HERO by remembering the real people
who have sacrificed their “lives” to defend and honor our
country and its people.
Unfortunately, the revered pilot did not return home to
live happily ever after with his new bride. He lost his life
protecting our freedoms.
Gratefully, many soldiers do return home. They reunite
with their families and loved ones. Yet, war continues
within their soul.
I wouldnʼt say I come from a strong military family, but
several members have played the game: cousins,
grandpa, brother, brothers-in-law, step dad.
My brother Chad enlisted in the Marines while I was still
in high school. Then Desert Storm began. I remember
watching television in the school library, knowing he was
aboard one of the three ships off the coast of Kuwait.
Waiting...
Someone I did not adore when we first met was my step
dad Garry. I was a teenager, and I could not find in my
heart to accept him and his raging ways. Never against
any of us, but sadly against himself. He served in
Vietnam, honorably discharged upon getting shot in the
wrist, after seeing his best friend blown to pieces.
Dreams haunt him to this day, but after all these years,
he somewhat has a handle on it. He knows he must
live, and that he does. He lives more than any person I
know, despite the doctors calling him a ticking time
bomb due to health issues from Vietnam, and well, just
life. His disabilities have not hindered him nor his zest.
Christmas 2011
When I was 16, we moved to my
step dadʼs farm, not by my choice. I
found every excuse to stay with
friends and my father. Now I yearn to
visit the farm, bask in its serenity,
and of course, take lots of pics.
Garry and my mother have sprinkled
veteran memorabilia throughout the
yard and inside the shop. Two of the
first page pictures are of a shelf
located above Garryʼs tool bench,
including books, metals, and
pictures... a dusty collage of history.
They built a circular path from the
house, first encountering Garryʼs
Harley Davidson shed, leading to an
erected sign reading “ALL GAVE
SOME, SOME GAVE ALL, ” to end
with the antique cannon and flag
posts before circling back to the 100
year old farm house. The tour
doesnʼt end there, however, because
the shop tells its own story from the
dusty shelf to the painted Harley.
Garry has ridden more miles seated
behind handlebars than one could
imagine. You hear how the open air
can open the soul. Well, I believe
that, for him anyway. His travels
have saved him. The people he has
met along his travels have enriched
him. The veterans have comforted
him. His bikeʼs motor is the 75% of
his heart that doesnʼt work anymore.
It keeps him ticking. Doctorʼs order
to hand over the keys is laughable.
Garry often rides from eastern South
Dakota to California to catch the
very beginning of the Freedom Ride to Washington
DC on Memorial weekend. That is his therapy.
In fact, his bike was up on a hoist upon returning from
DC, making it difficult to photograph all the angles
and artwork. The bike itself is a piece of art, an
engine of life. It tells a story... through years of
paintings, and miles of wear and tear.
The honest story of this gregarious, temperamental,
uninhibited, sensitive man whom I have grown to love and
admire is reflected on the backside of his front fender...
a deflated veteran, adorned in his familiar denim vest, military
tattoos and black boots, kneeling and praying:
“LORD, GIVE ME PEACE.”
OCTOBER 2013 BHPC Competition Results
CATEGORY: MACRO
Judged by Dick Kettlewell
NOVICE
AMATEUR
1st - Spiney
by Carol Valentine
1st - Butterfly Profile by Chasity Marcus
2nd - Swirley Pine by Jerilyn Rich
2nd - Poppy by Anne LeChette
3rd - Lightly Salted - Jennifer Eaton
HM - Pink by Karla Denison
3rd - All In A Days Work by Alysha Whitaker
HM - Be Still My Heart by Kelly Whitaker
OCTOBER 2013 BHPC Competition Results
CATEGORY: MACRO
Judged by Dick Kettlewell
ADV. AMATEUR
MASTER
1st - Smoke Patterns by Markus Erk
1st - Damselfly About To Lift Off by Deb Zimmerman
2nd - Yellow Salsify
by Harlan Humphrey
2nd - Jewels At Dawn by Dave Vaughn
3rd - Clematis 1 by Ted Ayers
3rd - Frost by Deb Zimmerman
HM - Hiding by Markus Erk
MEMBERS MARKET
Tamrac Pro System Camera Bag: 100.00
* very good condition * check Pro System 608 bag specs on Tamrac Site for more info
Tamrac backpack harness for above bag: 25.00
* new condition * check specs and new price on Tamrac or B&H sites
Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DG 1.4x Extender: 250.00
* mint condition Vivitar Series 1 90 mm, f 2.5 Macro Lens: 350.00
* universal mount
* can be adapted to Canon, Nikon, Pentax or Minolta
* manual operation only
* very high quality lens in near mint condition
Vivitar Series 1 800mm f8 Mirror Lens, MF Universal Mt: 150.00
* new in Box.
Sigma 70-­‐300 f4-­‐5.6 DL AF Lens for Canon EOS: 125.00
* mint condition Ted Ayers @ [email protected]
FOR SALE or TRADE: 125.00 OBO
Genuine Nikon MB-­‐D80 auxiliary battery grip for
Nikon D80 and D90 DSLR bodies only, with extra
EN-­‐EL3e Li-­‐ion spare battery and aa battery tray.
* good used condition with original packaging and papers..
Dave Vaughn @ 574-­2473 / [email protected]
Kodak Eastman Beau Brownie 2A with case: 140.00
* mint condition
Jacqueline Rinehart @ 591-­2943
Chasity Marcus
BIRTHDAYS
NOVEMBER:
1!
Barry Castetter
9!
Kay Tennyson
19!
Laura Roupe
DECEMBER:
1!
Rita Herding
16!
Linda Foster
18!
Ted Hayward
23!
Frankie Hofer
24!
Brian Haymond
28!
Terri Vaughn
30!
Candy Erk Manthey
30!
Cheri Schmidt
Chasity Marcus
Meadowbrook Elementary - Flag Ceremony
"Proud To Be An American"
If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
｀Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
｀Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land... God bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
and it's time to stand and say:
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
｀Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land... God bless the U.S.A.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2013