Monday, February 25, 2013

Congratulations, Kaitlyn and Tony

My cousin Kaitlyn and the love of her life, Tony were married over the weekend. They are young, but when you looked at the, you could see the love. Their daughter is gorgeous and Kaityln has a daughter from a previous relationship, but to Tony, they are both his girls. He is what I wish for all the women I love - a man who will step up and do what's right, even if he might not be biologically related.





I did their photography, of course, and really enjoyed the day. I'm slowly going through the photos and hope to get everything done within the next two weeks.

Again, Congratulations, Kaitlyn and Tony! May your life be nothing but smiles, love and laughter!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous Day Four



Today is the fourth day of the 14th annual Ridgway Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous. The morning started out horrible with sleet and snow turning the town into a cold, slippery, miserable mess. Of course, the extreme artists couldn't be out working in those conditions. Schools in town were operating on a two-hour delay, hoping the roads would be clear and it would be safe to bring the students in. I had a County government meeting to cover at 10 a.m., so Arielle dropped me off there while she ran around town taking care of a few errands.

Following the meeting, we stopped at home to grab a backpack to carry my gear in and keep it out of the rain and dry as well as an umbrella to keep my camera safe, then walked down to the closest area set aside for the carvers. It's only about a two-minute walk from our front door. Sadly, only one artist was working, but there were plenty examples of the stunning creations at each tent.



After we photographed our favorite pieces, we came home to have lunch and catch up on one of the TV shows we enjoy watching on SyFy called Face Off. It's a contest for make-up artists that allows you to see behind the curtain and learn how the make-up and other special effects are created. There is a new episode on tonight, so we want to watch last week's show to see who was eliminated. We'll go uptown later this afternoon (hopefully, it will stop raining by then) and check out all the work there. We hope to find a little piece to bring home to help remind us of the incredible amount of talent in this world. We pick something up each year. My absolute favorite piece is a stunning walking stick created by a carver from Gettysburg. It goes with every year we visit.



The Rendezvous continues through Saturday, so I'll be posting many more photos by then. That day, I also have to photograph a business expo in a near-by town as well as my cousin's daughter's wedding. That will be a very busy day.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Ridgway Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous

Here's my article and a photo that will be posted in the morning's Bradford ERA.





RIDGWAY – The 14th annual Ridgway Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous begins today and runs through next Saturday, Feb. 23 with the most popular event in the region, the chainsaw carving auction. Carvers can be found throughout the town, including: South Broad, Center and Court Streets, Country Squirrel Outfitters, Keystone True Value and Ridgway Record Parking Lot. One of the new events will be a fireworks display being held Friday evening.

The event began with a small group of six carvers in 2000 and has grown each year to become the world's largest non-competitive event of its kind. Ridgway has been dubbed, “The Chainsaw Carving Capital of the World." Each year they challenge themselves to do better than the last. In previous years, an estimated 30,000 people visited the event. A similar number is expected for this year. “When old painters want to learn, they went to the masters in Europe. If you really want to learn chainsaw carving, you have to go to the masters here in Ridgway. This is where the Mecca is,” Dennis Heath of England said at a previous event. “It’s an emerging fine art form that really has its roots in the United States,” Liz Boni, co-creator of the rendezvous said.

Hundreds of chainsaw carvers from literally all over the world are given a chance to show off their art form, sell a sculpture, either large or small and help raise money for charity through the auction. Throughout the week-long event, visitors can watch the carvers create, attend various seminars and enjoy festival food and crafts for sale. Presentations and demonstrations on the art form, techniques, practices, practical issues, occupational health and business aspects of chainsaw art will be held. Beginning Monday morning through Thursday, a selection of professionals will present educational information and demonstrations to share with other artists and the public.

Some of the carvers who will attend this year's Rendezvous are coming from cities and towns throughout Pennsylvania, Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin; as well as Canada, Chile, Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom.

The week of events will close with the auction. Each carver is asked to donate a piece to the auction, some will donate more. The auction is a rare chance for the public to own a piece of history. Each carving is individual and no two can ever be alike. With thousands of individuals registering to bid, arriving early is the only way to ensure a seat.

Schedule of Events:

Saturday – 16th 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Carver arrival and setup. Many will have carvings for sale.
Sponsor booths can be visited in the Masonic Temple.
Craft Vendors will set up at 253 Main Street store front.
8 p.m. – Bubba Bradley – NBC’S Last Comic Standing
Will be performing at Aiello’s CafĂ©. Tickets available at the door.

Sunday – 17th Noon – 5 p.m.
Carvers will entertain audiences and have carvings for sale at all locations.
Sponsor Booths – Masonic Temple.
Craft Vendors will set up at 253 Main Street store front.

Monday – Thursday (18th – 21st)
Carving Seminars 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the American Legion (Main Street).
Carving at all locations until 5 p.m.

Friday – 22nd
Carving from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sponsor Booths – Masonic Temple.
1-3 p.m. Horse Drawn Carriage rides at the Ridgway Welcome Center (weather permitting – donation).
8:00 pm Pyro Technique Display – NEW THIS YEAR!!
In the field behind Lazy River Canoe – along the Clarion River.

Saturday – 23rd
Carving throughout the day.
AUCTION Starts at 12 p.m. until it’s done – located on Court Street.
10 a.m. -? Horse Drawn Carriage Rides at the Ridgway Welcome Center (weather permitting- donation).

Sunday, February 10, 2013

The Walking Dead

The new mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead begins tonight at 9 p.m. Had to make a quick post because at 8:55 p.m., because like most true fans, I'll be turning off all computers, cellphones, telephones and even the doorbell. I won't even answer psychic messages! If you're on fire, don't think my name until 10 p.m., then I'll be happy to come help. :)
The Walking Dead happens to be one of those TV shows that grabs you and doesn't let go for the entire hour. I wish the regular networks could understand that the majority of Americans really don't need nor want a nanny telling us what we can and cannot see. With very few exceptions, the top shows are on AMC, SyFy, HBO and FX. We all love Sons of Anarchy, True Blood, Boardwalk Empire, Game of Thrones and American Horror Story. Those shows are all gritty and real. Do we need any more singing shows or more "real" housewives? Those shows truly induce a shudder. Maybe we need to let the networks know we're sick of being spoonfed nonsense! Long Live the Walking Dead!!!