Kim's Thoughts
Just a few thoughts I feel worthy of jotting down!
It Happened At The Fair
The last week in July is fair week in our town…..the Orleans County 4-H Fair, to be specific! All the 4-H-ers work hard all year long for the chance to show off their efforts at the fair. I love the fair! I love the celebratory atmosphere, the food, the people, the exhibits, the animals, the food, the smiles and laughter, the sounds……did I mention the food???!!! I usually try to go at least a couple times in the week long event to support the 4-H-ers who deserve a lot of praise for their hard work. This year, it was too hot to wander around in the sun the first couple of days, but I made up for it the rest of the week! I went with a friend on Wednesday – we had our dinner there and walked around some. Then, I went back Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with my camera to capture as many of the wonderful sights and activities as I could! I ended up with over 200 photos…..it was really hard narrowing it down to what I have chosen to share here……but, I did narrow it down and here they are…..
Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, I give you a sample view of the 2015 Orleans County 4-H Fair!!!
The Rides:
The Food:
Just one of several dinners – Pulled Pork, Chicken BBQ, Fish Fry, and Steak
4-H and Farm Bureau booths with pies, fries, hot dogs, burgers, milkshakes, etc…
T-Shirt says it all….”What do I do? Tend the crops, care for animals, feed the world!”
The Games:
Duh! Of Course I played I Got It!!! I even WON a game…..I gave the token to a little girl sitting next to me!
The Animals:
Just as I stopped at this cow and lifted my camera, she let out a huge, loud, long “MOOOOO”! Not sure if she was excited to get her picture taken or if she was scolding me for taking it from this angle……hahaha!!!
This adorable alpaca stole my heart……isn’t she just the cutest sweetheart you’ve ever seen?
The Ribbons:
There’s my sweetie alpaca, again…..she won a blue ribbon!!! Well, of course……
The Car Show:
The Entertainment:
The Who Dats played Friday night…..great local band, includes my friend, John B on guitar (second from the right)
Magic show several times daily
The Chainsaw Chix carving their hearts out several times daily
The Beatles…..well, a Beatles tribute band called Mr. Mustard…..played Saturday night – they were sooooo good!!!
The Pork Chop Review – performing pigs – were adorable several times daily! LOVED THEM!!!
The Pork Chop Review also included pygmy goats that were absolutely adorable!!!
And, then there was Elvis…..or she thinks she’s Elvis!!!
A singing pig……so funny!!!
And all the other cool stuff:
What a great play house for some child’s back yard!!!
Lots and lots of farm equipment
I remember the first year we made the World’s Largest Apple Pie…..we made the Guiness Book of Records!!!
And…..it isn’t a country fair without a LOT of cowboy boots everywhere you look!!!
This next photo was included above in the rides section….but, it is worth posting, again! It tells the story of the fair in one photo…..the fun and games and celebration of the fair with an image that sums up the reason for it all in the background – silos!!!
That’s all, folks……I had my fill of sugar waffles and other fair food and enjoyed all the animals and fun…..can’t wait for next year’s fair!!!
Thank a Farmer!
IF YOU ATE, TODAY…..
THANK A FARMER!!!
Farmers are the backbone and foundation of this great country! Locally, we live in a major farming community. Orleans County, like much of Western NY, depends on farmers to keep our economy going and our citizens fed. And, they work hard to do that! While you and I are sitting by the pool or enjoying a picnic on a hot summer day, our local farmers are out working their butts off in the fields and orchards to feed America….regardless of the weather or whatever they may rather be doing! Because, when planting time comes and when the crops are ready for picking, there is no calling in sick or taking a vacation day! Case in point – it was a rainy day while I was out taking photos, today – I saw many farm hands in the fields working to get as much of the crops in as they could before the heavy rain came, including a crew out wearing rain slickers as they picked (I hate that photo didn’t come out)! So, whatever you ate or drank, today or any day, you can be sure that it was thanks to the hard work and dedication of a farmer! As they say, it was men in overalls who built this nation and continue to work the land and keep it going strong!
It is that time of year when local farm markets and produce stands pop up all over the county. Locally, we have a wide variety of farms offering wonderful, fresh, and delicious produce, fruits, meats, and dairy products — some large family farms, some smaller family farms, and even an abundance of Mom and Pop stands where folks who like to garden set out whatever they grow over what they can use to sell to passers-by! They make it so easy to shop local and home-grown! No reason to buy produce shipped in from out of the country or grown under unknown conditions…..support our local family farmers……even if you MUST buy your produce while you’re in the grocery store – most have sections in the produce aisles labeled “locally grown” to choose from that are stocked by local farmers! But……the freshest way to go is to stop in at one of many farm markets in the area – just choose one – you can’t throw a stick without hitting one near you! We have Rush’s, Kirby’s, Watt’s, Bannister’s, Brown’s, Panek’s, several Amish families, those working the muck lands, and so many more…..this just names a few of the many…..there are way too many to name here – this in no way is meant to slight any not mentioned!!! I so look forward to summer when I can hit them all and get an amazing variety of fresh from the farm foods to enjoy!
So, to honor our local farmers, I drove all around the country side – north, south, east, and west – to capture photos of local farms and produce! I spent all day driving around and didn’t put a dent in the farms out there! Check out the best of the photos……and prepare to get hungry and have your mouth water from the beautiful offerings…….and get your own butt out there and support our local heroes – the farmers of Orleans County!!! And, for those of my readers outside Orleans County and outside New York State……you know your local farmers – support them!!!
Markets and Produce:
And….talk about FRESH…..I watched this corn being placed in this basket directly from the field as I was pulling in the driveway at Rush’s……yes, I went home with some…..direct from the field to my kitchen in a matter of a few hours!!! And, it is ALL that fresh at ALL the markets and stands – I just happened to witness this one!!!
Looks like the corn was the most popular item at this road-side stand, today!!!
Farm Scenes:
The rich, black muck is such a beautiful sight……especially when it has veggies growing in it!!!
And….don’t forget that FISHERMEN also put food on our tables:
Part of what I bought on my travels, today, from Rush’s and Kirby’s:
And, finally, my Grandpa – Marlin Freeman – was a fisherman and a farmer…..he always believed in growing what he needed and what he needed beyond what he could grow, he bought from local farmers first – ALWAYS!
Wordless Wednesday: Tuesday trip
Hopefully, the title of this post isn’t confusing…..I’m writing it on Wednesday, there will be very few words, and it is all about a road trip I made and photos I took on Tuesday! Got it? 🙂
So…..Tuesday the Ladies Lunch group of the Albion First United Methodist Church went on our monthly luncheon – we chose the Wilson Boat House restaurant in Wilson, this month! Of course, on the way back, I couldn’t resist making a couple stops…..even though it was a gray, drizzly day!
Photos taken at Wilson Boat House:
Seafood Wrap…..DELICIOUS!!! And everyone else’s meals looked amazing, too!!!
Photos taken at Olcott Beach:
Photos taken at Marjim Manor Winery – on Route 18 near Olcott Beach:
That’s all……
Cycling the Erie Canal
I had a great adventure, today! I didn’t leave the Village of Albion. I didn’t knock anything off my Adventure Bucket List. I didn’t go exploring or visit any exciting location. But, it was a great adventure, just the same!
Every year, about 500-600 or so cyclists make a group journey along the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany – it takes them eight days to make the trip along this 400 mile section of the Erie Canal. They started out in Buffalo on Sunday with their first over night stop in neighboring village Medina, where they set up a tent city at the Medina Middle School. Today – Monday, was day two, which will end in Fairport for the night. Cyclists have come from all over the world to participate in this ride for the past 17 years.
This year, I was lucky enough to be able to join several members of the Albion Merchants Association and others from our Village that gathered to greet the riders and offer them free bottles of water and information about our historic downtown. It was an incredible morning! I arrived at the stop point on the northwest side of the Main Street lift bridge about 7:30 am – there were already a few early starters beginning to come through. Over the next couple of hours, many more passed through and most stopped to talk, get some water, rest a little, and ask lots of questions about Albion. Many also took the time to cross the bridge and ride through downtown and visit two of our historic churches that were open to the cyclists…..a few also rode further up Main Street to get coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts or Tim Horton’s. Two and a half hours later, I was hot, tired, and so very happy to have taken over 120 photos and met some wonderful people out on an adventure of a lifetime! I can’t wait until next year and see how many more great people I can meet!
Here are just a few of the photos I took! For more photos of the cyclists when they were in Medina and Albion, check out the Orleans Hub coverage by clicking HERE and HERE!
Main St lift bridge from the welcome stop!
A few riders got an earlier start than the bulk of the group
A cyclist takes time to read the canal information board
There were many different types of bikes – several variations on this ergonomic style looked really comfortable!
Members of the Albion Merchants Association and Pawlak’s Safe-A-Lot prepare the welcome tent with free bottled water, information, and a supply of books on the canal and Albion/Orleans County history available for sale
Welcome to Albion Where History Lives!
The merchants gave me this sign to hold as I greeted the riders, but I was so excited to talk to them and take photos that I kept forgetting to flash the sign, so I gave it back! 🙂
Another cool and comfortable looking bike!
This gentleman came all the way from Poland to participate in this ride! He was such a nice and interesting man to talk to – he had all kinds of questions about Albion! I also read on the Hub that someone came from as far away as Australia!
These two gentlemen were from NC – the one on the left was from Raleigh and the one on the right was from the NC coast! And….to prove what a small world it is….when I told him I lived in Sanford for many years, he asked about what I did there and we discovered we had a mutual friend – one of my former co-workers at Pfizer!!!
There were several tandem style bikes!
Soon, there was a steady stream of riders coming through!
With most stopping for water and information – quite a few were interested in seeing examples of cobblestone and sandstone buildings in our Village
Bikes parked so the riders could stretch and walk around a little
More cool style bikes
These ladies were from Albany – the one in red told me she teaches the history of the canal in her classrooms, but this is the first time she’s participated in this ride!
LOTS of riders during the peak time
Many added hat brims to their helmets to help shield the sun, but not many were as colorful and pretty as this lady’s!
This family had quite a set up – an ergonomic tandem style bike for Mom and Dad with an attached cart for their two-year-old daughter – the youngest rider in the group! (BTW – I heard that the oldest rider was 91-years-old)
This is Sherri Swift and her two-year-old daughter, Cadence – with Dad, Sean, who really does have a head! They drove from Tulsa, OK to participate in the ride!
Sherri and Cadence being interviewed by Mr. Orleans Hub, Tom Rivers
Just as they were getting ready to move on, Cadence came up to me and asked if I wanted a picture of her in her helmet! How cute is that? Of course, I did!
Riders enjoying the benches and shade on their break
One gentleman early on asked me how often the bridge is raised – he really wanted to see that! Alas, he was long gone when this boat came through and the bridge was raised to the delight of those who were there at the time!
One of many riders snapping photos of the bridge fully raised and a boat passing under it!
This boat made many riders very happy!
The mural located beside the welcome station
And they just kept coming…….
The lady in the yellow and green on the left walking towards me was from California!
A nice trucker stopped to allow the bikers to cross Main Street to the other side of the bridge on their way out of town!
Headed on their way to the next town and, eventually, Fairport to stop for the night
And, there goes Cadence and her Mom and Dad….
Cyclists checking out the Pullman Universalist Church to see the Medina Sandstone construction, Tiffany stained glass windows, and the other history features of this gorgeous church!
Bill Lattin talking with a cyclist about the history of the Pullman church
Admiring one of the amazing Tiffany stained glass windows
Touring our lovely downtown area and Courthouse Square
The Presbyterian church was also open for touring
These riders were so kind as to come back inside so I could photograph them in the beautiful Presbyterian church
So, there you have it…..the 17th annual Cycling the Erie Canal Journey! I’m sure that as I am writing this, all the cyclists are sound asleep in their tents in Fairport, resting up for the next leg on their eight-day journey! I wish them safe travels and perfect weather and hope they all love every inch of route and all that NYS has to offer them! See you all next year!!!
Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
Tuesday was Adventure Day! A dear friend and I started out early with a big breakfast out to give us a good foundation for the day. Then, we spent about an hour and a half at Vidler’s 5 & 10 (see previous post) in East Aurora, NY. After that, we spent a couple hours touring the historic Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum in North Tonawanda, NY. And, we finished off the day with a stop at Paula’s Donuts in Clarence, NY for a deliciously fresh donut to eat there and one (or two) to take home! WHEW! A lot to cram into one day, but all three places were on my Adventure Bucket List and all were in the Buffalo area, so we just decided to knock all three off the list in one big day trip!
I ADORE carousels!!! I always have….they have always been my favorite ride at any amusement park, fair, or carnival….I get all nostalgic when I see one or listen to a wonderful old Wurlitzer Military Band Organ, or even just hearing the song “Teddy Bear Picnic” (or, for that matter, just thinking about a teddy bear picnic)……and, I have collected carousel horses for many years! I just love them! So……when I discovered that within about an hour and a half drive from my home there is one of the most famous and historic carousel factories in the world, I instantly put it on my Adventure Bucket List!!!
The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is located at 180 Thompson Street, North Tonawanda – visit their web site here! The Allan Herschell Company (1915-1970) was founded in North Tonawanda, NY and produced carousels and other amusement park rides. Their specialty was the manufacture of portable carousels that could be used by traveling carnival companies. They hand carved over 3000 wooden carousels across four Herschell companies that operated at this location across the years. The museum is fascinating!!! Much of the original equipment is on display with videos and message boards that explain how each step of the process was completed. There is also many examples of vintage amusement park rides on display and an original 1916 carousel – it was one of the first carousels shipped out of the Thompson St location after it opened in 1915. It is 40 feet in diameter and has 36 beautifully hand carved horses and over 580 lights! It is unique in that it has a combination of horse styles – the outer row has larger wild looking horses in the 1916 Allan Herschell style and the two inner rows are older style horses dating back to the late 1890s.
One of the most interesting parts of the tour was watching how they made the music rolls for the band organs! Someone had to sit and carefully represent specific sheet music into hand drawn master rolls by marking the measures and drawing dots in various lengths indicating the length each note is held in multiple lines, each representing a different instrument on the band organ! The hand written masters were put through a machine that created a master template with holes in each of the hand drawn dots, which in turn was put through a machine to transfer the song to the musical rolls that would be sold with the carousel. Each master held one song – each musical roll that was sold with the carousell contained ten songs. The process was very involved and extremely time consuming……and just fascinating to learn about! It was also very interesting to watch videos of how the wood was hand carved into parts of the carousels and the various animals that went on the carousels and then assembled and painted to create the final product!
The ultimate joy, though, was getting to ride the vintage 1916 carousel……what a thrill……what a wonderful memory!!! Alas, I had to ride it by sitting in one of the stationary chariots cause I can no longer get up on the horses, but it was still an experience I will never forget!
Here are some photos…….if you are ever in the general area, I highly recommend you include a visit to this museum – it is an incredible experience and wonderfully educational!!! And….it is great for kids, as well – they have a vintage kiddie carousel, a kid’s craft room, and a Kiddieland with cool vintage amusement park rides for children to ride on and enjoy!
The four Herschell companies
Vintage 1923 kiddie carousel
The next TWO photos compare the hand carved wood style of Allan Herschell (second photo) and the newer fiberglass molded styles (first photo) – the newer ones might be flashier, but they lack the depth and craftsmanship of the hand carved styles!
Also – in the first photo you see a portrait of Allan Herschell
All Herschell animals began with a painting that was used as a model
Original Wurlitzer Roll Shop – equipment used to make music rolls
Table where an individual sat to transcribe the sheet music into a series of dots onto the music master roll
Vintage barrel organ manufactured in North Tonawanda
Wurlitzer Military Band Organ – all vintage band organs were manufactured in North Tonawanda either by Wurlitzer or one of three competitors
Vintage Wurlitzer home player piano manufactured in North Tonawanda
The carving room display
Parts in various stages of carving – hard to see in this photo, but the mane on the smaller partially carved horse has the most incredible detail!!!
The frog is unique to the Herschell companies – other companies carved a variety of animals, but only Herschell made a frog and Herschell’s frog is the only animal that was adorned in human clothing
I was fascinated by the detail work and craftsmanship in the carvings!
Photograph of workers performing various tasks in the carving process
We both really liked this ostrich
The center base of the 1916 Vintage Carousel
Vintage Artizan Band Organ
LOVE THIS…..great words to live by:
“Once Around is Never Enough”
An amazing day……I had such a great time and learned so much!!! Check it out……well worth the time!!!
Vidler’s Old Time Five and Dime
Want to go back to the day when you could pop in to a local Five and Dime store and pick up anything you could possibly want for a reasonable price? What if I were to tell you that you CAN? And, that the place you can do it is possibly the largest variety store in the world…..I mean, this place is B-I-G!!! Well, you just may want to visit Vidler’s 5 & 10 in East Aurora, NY! I did just that this week for the very first time! A friend and I wandered around this place for about an hour and a half and, while I think we say “most” of the store, I know there were sections we didn’t get to at all and others that we just glanced at!!! When they say whatever it is you want, you can find it under the awning, they aren’t kidding! And, it is like stepping back in time and walking into an old time Five and Dime store…..just like the ones every town had and every family shopped at…..only MUCH larger!
Here are a few photos I took while I was there……and, you can visit their web site by clicking here and taking the virtual tour of the store to see so much more of it!
Love the kindly shop clerk who welcomes all who pass by or enter the store!
Window display – considered getting a Where’s Waldo shirt and hat!
Any kind of old fashioned soda you could want….including some odd flavors, like Bacon and Peanut Butter & Jelly!!!
Into character items? If they don’t have it, it doesn’t exist!
I was like a little kid with all these funky hats to look at! LOOK – there’s a pink flamingo one!!!
Here I am trying on a purple “Princess” tiara….and practicing my pageant wave!!!
Love this motto!!!
These photos were all taken in just the first section we walked through……I got so involved in looking at all the cool stuff, I realized I had stopped taking photos, so scroll back up and click on their web site link to take the virtual tour to see what I missed getting photos of! There is an office supply and stationary section that would put Office Max, Office Depot, and Staples together to shame……and a whole section with some of the cutest fairy garden supplies ever…….and aisles and aisles of stuff that would make any kid (big or little) squeal with excitement…..and old fashioned candy treats galore…..and so much more!!! And then, downstairs, the kitchen section goes on and on and on and on – with every gadget, utensil, pot, pan, and virtually anything you could ever want to use to cook or bake with that you could possibly think of…..and then there is a zillion more you’d never even consider!!!
Do yourself a favor and go experience this store at least once…..but, allow a good couple of hours to take it all in!!!
As Seen on the Fourth of July
The Fourth of July – a gorgeous day – one that just begged to be enjoyed to the fullest! So, this morning I finished up some yard work I started yesterday, read a little, wrote a little, and then took off for a long drive to see what might catch my eye! It was a very pleasant day, for sure!
Here is what caught my eye along the way:
First, I went to Mount Albion Cemetery to water the crocks and drive around a little.
This is the first time I noticed this family plot with the dog monument!
How sweet is this?
Then, I headed toward Medina.
Sign in front of a Mexican restaurant
On the side of a building facing the canal
Wide spot in the canal
Lots of people were out enjoying the canal
Then, I headed south looking for Indian Falls and Indian Lake just past Basom…..I found the falls, but never did find the lake – guess I just don’t remember how to get there!
Then I made a stop in Alabama…..what? I said I went for a LONG drive! Yes, I said Alabama……well, to be honest, it was Alabama, NY! hehehe
I drive past the Alabama Cemetery all the time and often think of stopping and seeing if there is anything cool to look at in there…..well, here is what has been calling to me all these years!!! This is a cement monument and it is way cool in person!!!
Cat tails along the side of the road at the Alabama Swamps
Then, on the way home, I spotted a few other things worth noting.
An airplane parked right on the side of the road
And, the Walmart geese
The geese do love the retention pond in front of our Walmart!!!
So, that was my day…..hope everyone enjoyed the celebration of the birth of our great nation!!! Happy Fourth of July to you all!
First Friday – Marti’s On Main Art Gallery
I have been back home for almost four years, now, and I still keep finding all these wonderful treasures in and around little ole Albion, NY! I have to confess – this is one I have been meaning to stop in to see for quite some time and just kept forgetting to attend when there is a First Friday event! Definitely my loss and a big loss for anyone else who hasn’t made the time to check it out!
Marti’s On Main is an art gallery owned and operated by Kim Martillotta Muscarella – life long Albion resident with deep family roots in the Albion community – her father and uncles owned the elegant Marti’s restaurant and night club back in Albion’s hay day, her brother, Joe, renovated the old Club 469 into the beautiful Crooked Door restaurant, and her son, Jeremiah, showcases his amazing wood working in his shop on Main St, Knight’s Pride. Kim has the soul of a true artist – she opened the art gallery to showcase her own art and that of other local artists and is a founding member of the Art Circle – a group of local artists.
Friday, July 3rd was July’s First Friday event. I stopped in to snap some photos for an interview I am working on with Kim for the Albion High School Alumni Foundation Blog and decided that the evening was enough of an adventure to include on this blog! So, here are the photos I took last night of Kim, her gallery, and the featured artists of the night!
The gallery is open on the First Friday of every month from May to December plus a few other special event showings during the month. But, you can visit the gallery any time – just call Kim at 585-589-6715 to be sure she’s going to be home and she’s more than happy to open up the gallery to show you around! My sister-in-law, Lylace, and I stopped by to see her on Thursday to show Kim some of Lylace’s paintings and we had a wonderful time talking and touring the gallery! Kim said she is always happy to meet new local artists!
The gallery is located at 229 North Main Street in Albion – just north of the canal lift bridge on Main St. Her home is a beautiful duplex with loads of charm – perfect for an art gallery!
The sign on Friday announced the featured artists for the evening – Laurie Kemler and Jen Scott. It also reminds attendees that they can also view art on display by local artists in the Art Circle Group and Kim’s own signature pieces.
I asked Kim to pick a favorite piece of her own work to stand by for a photo. She chose this piece – one she loves dearly, but said that she finds many people don’t seem to take to it as well as she had hoped. I’m not sure why – I think it is stunning – the colors reach right out and grab you – this photo does not do it justice at all! But…..as they say, art is a very personal thing and what one person falls in love with, another might walk right by without much notice.
Kim also does collage work and sculptures – mostly using odd items she recycles into art, including many sentimental items from family members. In this photo, Kim is standing by a piece she has hanging at the top of the stairs – the first thing you see when you head upstairs to view her work and the work of other local artists. The first time I went up the stairs, I was really taken with this piece – I instantly pictured it hanging on the wall in the beautiful log home that one of my dearest friends built and currently lives in!
This is Jen Scott – one of the event’s featured artists. Jen teaches Art in Medina High School and had several stunning pieces on display. Following are photos of just some of Jen’s work – in addition to the ones she is standing by. My very favorite one is the one to Jen’s left in this photo – the writer using a quill pen is writing “one size will fit all” over and over – it is just one of her paintings demonstrating her stand against standardized testing, such as common core. I like it not only for the message it sends, but also because I fancy myself a writer and it just spoke to me!
I immediately took to the large piece on the left, as well as the light bulb in the center. The larger piece was interesting and really cool looking – I couldn’t stop looking at it! But, I liked it even more when Kim mentioned that it was a water bottle!
This painting of shoes is also from Jen – I loved this one, too! I wish it was in a location that would have allowed me to take a better photo of it!
This is Laurie Genagon Kemler – also one of the featured artists for this event. Laurie is an illustrator and her work is very “Norman Rockwell-ish”. Kim told me that she has recently written a children’s book and Laurie did the illustrations for the book! I’m looking forward to getting a copy of this book once it is published – I’m sure it will be amazing! Laurie is a Visual Arts teacher at Mental Health Assoc of Orleans County and Hillside Children’s Center and the Art Director at Forrestel Farm Riding and Sports Camp. This photo was taken beside her most recent piece to her left – this piece was my favorite, although it was difficult to choose a favorite.
I had a hard time getting a good shot of Laurie’s work because of the glare on the glass. Laurie was thrilled to mention that the piece to the far left in this shot was sold – it is a painting she did from a black and white photograph!!!
And….Laurie’s daughter, Anya Groth, also had a piece in the show, as well…..chip off the old block, as they say!
The piece is called “Inspiring Words”, but the ones written in the orange/yellow pool – “Bring color to your day” – was the message I related to!
Admiring Laurie’s work!
This room displayed a mix of artists – Laurie Kemler to the right, Jen Scott to the left, a couple of Kim’s sculptures in the center, and (though I didn’t get a good shot of them) some amazing stuffed animals called “Second Hand Critters” created by Terry Vick from old clothing to give comfort to their lucky recipient!
A closer look at Kim Martillotta Muscarella’s sculptures in the downstairs gallery.
Upstairs, Kim has a book of water color flowers she has done – don’t you just love the daffodil with the fireplace frame?
This room is devoted to Kim’s work – the piece on the left was created from an old pair of garden shears that I believe she said belonged to an aunt of her’s (or maybe her grandmother – I forget – maybe she will remind me and I will update this). She looked at them and just knew they would make a great bird – along with a few other materials! I wish I had taken notes while I was there, but my main goal was photos for the interview I will be doing at a later date – I just got so excited about the event that I decided to also do a post for THIS blog! So, I’m not sure what relation the donor of a fur lined rain coat was that ended up the focus of the piece in the center.
Kim has done several works using old guitars and guitar necks – the blend of music and art is simply wonderful!
Another beautiful use of an old guitar!
And then there are the “sisters”! These really made me smile!
So……if you haven’t discovered Marti’s On Main, yet, you really need to! This month, the featured artist’s work will be up all month until the July 24th show closing reception – 5:30 – 9:00 on the 24th. There will also be a poetry reading event on Monday July 20th at 2:00 pm featuring Nicki Martillotta McFarland. August will bring a new First Friday event on the 7th and a musical event on the 22nd. The flyer listing all the events through the end of August is posted below – a new flyer with events from September thru December will be available soon! Please attend these events or just call Kim and go tour the gallery whenever you can – show our local artists that we value them, even if only by viewing and admiring their work, but also by purchasing something that speaks to you!
Watch for my interview with Kim at http://albionalumni.org/ sometime soon. Also, watch for photos from the August First Friday event here on this blog…..but, don’t just come here to look at the photos after the fact — go see for yourself the night of the event – Friday August 7th 5:30-9:00 – BE THERE!
Sunday Shots – Birds and More
I sat out on my porch to see what I could catch for practice shots with my new camera……the bird buffet I have set up out on the front yard island tends to give me some great opportunities, if I can just sit out there at the right time! Tonight, I got some nice shots – a couple good ones with birds in mid flight to get to the feeders! But, the blue jays that were feasting on peanuts just a few minutes before I went out never came back while I had camera in hand…..buggers!!!
So, here are tonight’s practice shots:
FROM THE BIRD BUFFET:
FROM THE BACK YARD:
New Toy
I got a new toy…..a Nikon D3200 camera!!! Oh, I love the photos I take with my iPhone – it takes great photos, it is easy to use, and I always have it with me! But….there’s always a “but”…..there are situations where I don’t get the best photo I could if I had a more professional camera. for instance – night shots with or without the flash tend to be somewhat grainy and when I zoom way in the photo is often blurry because it is difficult to hold the iPhone perfectly still zoomed in at the max distance. So, I have debated with myself for a couple years about getting a better camera – the debate always ends with “why spend the money on a fancy camera when probably 80-85% of the time the iPhone does the trick very nicely?”. So, now another “but”……but, every time I don’t get the quality photo I want from a night or distance shot, I start the debate all over again and try to convince myself that if I really want to get into photography as seriously as I think I do, then I really do need a better camera!
So……the research has been going on – off and on – for several years! I didn’t want to have to mess with all the manual adjustments every time I want to snap a photo, but I also didn’t want to get a regular point and shoot type camera – they are only slightly better than the iPhone! I asked many of my photography buff friends and read a TON of articles and decided that a DSLR was the type of camera for me…..auto point and shoot capability with the quality of a more professional camera and the option to learn about the fancier settings for even BETTER photos as I get more involved with it! Ok – so, I knew the TYPE of camera I wanted, but which one? I decided based on feedback from friends and reviews and articles about each of the main cameras I was looking at that the Nikon D3200 was the one for me — a good beginner DSLR with high quality results!
Once I made the decision, I started looking for the best price…..I found a great deal at Best Buy online – a package deal that came with extra lenses and accessories for about the same price as the suggested retail price of the camera alone (no lenses, camera bag, memory card, etc…..)! So, I thought I would do good with that purchase and went for it!!! It came and I immediately took it all out of the packaging and my heart sank……the sight of all the buttons and features and settings and information was extremely overwhelming!!! Then, I got to the information on using the “auto” settings and felt instant relief!!!
I charged the battery and went out on my very first practice photo shoot last night! Of course, I chose the spot I call “one of my most favorite places on earth” – Point Breeze! I wanted to see if I could capture some good sunset shots and see what I could do with the camera!
Here are some of the results – I took over 200 photos, trying all kinds of shots! They certainly aren’t perfect and I definitely have a lot more learning and practicing to do, but I think they came out pretty darned good considering it was the first time I every used a DSLR and the first photos with this particular camera!!!
It was a gorgeous night at the Point……clear skies, beautifully colored lake, and just slightly on the chilly side due to a very strong breeze. Some of the photos really show how windy it was! I did not brighten or adjust any of the photos in any way — they are just as the camera captured them!
I’m off to learn and practice!!!
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