Mississippi State Guard members with public relations display and exhibit at Picnic in the Park, Quitman, Mississippi, 4 April, 2009. Photo Copyright 2009 by Terry Lynch and the Quitman Villager.
It was a delightful sunny Saturday at the park in Quitman on North Jackson Avenue where hundreds of people came from all around to enjoy the festivities. I was there too, with camera in hand, to capture the moment and save my fingers some work, given a picture is still worth a thousand of words, even though it may be a digital photograph.
Set up in at the parking lot was an exhibit manned by the Mississippi State Guard. I met and spoke with Sergeant John Heim, a recruiter, asking him a number of questions. He works out of Meridian and visits surrounding communities to help educate and inform the public about the Mississippi State Guard, which is an all volunteer service. Given these are hard economic times it is a true service that guard members provide. Sergeant Heim's told me that when you join the Mississippi State Guard you will benefit from the experience and training provided. Although members must purchase their own uniforms, you do get a military picture ID and the opportunity to contribute vital service to the community, especially in times of disaster or urgent need by the state. One of the vital services the Mississippi State Guard provides is search and rescue operations. What I found most amazing is that anyone over 17 years of age, who in not in active or reserve components of the U.S. military and who has no felony convictions, may participate in the Mississippi State Guard, up to the age of 65. If you think you may be interested please contact Sergeant Heim or phone (601) 693-7392.
A variety of exhibits and vendors were setup inside the park offering food and entertainment. I enjoyed watching David Talley's magic show. Mr. Talley has been providing entertainment since 1976 and is very popular with children. One trick, which may not be a trick at all but which I found very amusing, involved a rather large deck of playing cards. Where in the world did he get those huge playing cards? One thing for sure, they we're up his sleeve and certainly could not be easily palmed. Hence some of his magic tricks seemed more baffling than the ones using a regular deck of cards. I was only disappointed when he did not pull any rabbits out of his hat, it being so close to Easter. But then when I looked around I saw the Easter Bunny had magically appeared and was greeting the children who had gathered to watch the magic show. Now that's some magic, especially if Mr. Talley pulled her out of that small hat he was wearing when I was not looking.
After snapping a few shots of the Easter Bunny I moseyed over to where all the good smelling food was being prepared and got me a couple of delicious burgers prepared by the Quitman Volunteer Fire Department, an organization I urge everyone to support! While eating the burgers under the shade of an oak tree, a lady wearing three colorful hats that she had won sat down by me along with her daughter and grand children. I asked her politely if I might take her photograph, which she consented to, as I found that the bright colored feather hats made her one of the most interesting persons I'd seen all day. Her name is Margaret Parker. I hope you enjoy seeing her feathery hats and that she may add some cheerfulness to your spring time celebrations.
Next to the oak tree where I took Margaret's picture, children were playing inside these large Mickey Mouse Club Houses. The vendors seemed to be doing a pretty good business as there was a constant stream of children going in and out of the giant puffed airbags. The sign on the airbag said, "$1- Five Minutes; $2 - 15 Minutes; $5 - Arm Band." Given the City of Quitman was hosting this event, I wondered if any of this money the vendors were earning goes back to the City of Quitman, or if the vendors had to pay to participate in the festivities?
After filling up on burgers I wondered about to see the remaining exhibits. The Clarke County Chamber of Commerce was selling books about the history of Clarke County. I flipped thorough a copy and realized that this would be a great reference source for anyone who wanted to learn about the history of Clarke County. The book is in its second edition and there are still copies available through the Chamber of Commerce.
Next I took this shot of the Clarke County Sheriff's Department with an exhibit of drug paraphernalia. I could not help but notice the incorrect grammar used on the sign. It should read "Drugs Kill" as in the graphic shown below which is available upon gifts and apparel.
When trying to teach our children and young people about the dangers of substance abuse, it is important that correct English grammar and spelling be used in exhibits, displays and presentations. This is especially true when law enforcement officers, who are roll models, engage children and young people. After all, what is a young person to think if one who is an authority figure cannot even speak correct English or spell correctly?
The above gifts, apparel and fund raisers would be ideal for law enforcement to use in educational campaigns and efforts. Imagine how much more effective such campaigns would be if law enforcement gave a "Drugs Kill!" button to each child or young person. Then when these would be worn the message would be seen by many other children or young people; hence, the educational efforts of our law enforcement officers would not be forgotten and would be multiplied many times over!
Among the private vendors contributing their talents was Cindy Keith, who was painting Easter Eggs upon children's faces at $2.00 a pop. The children seemed to enjoy having their faces painted which is something I have noticed at many outdoor events I have attended far and wide. Face painting is very popular, be it Easter Eggs for Easter, flags for the 4th of July or candy canes, stocking or X-mas trees during the Christmas season.
Mary Chisolm, a professional photographer, was also busy at work capturing memories. I reviewed her portfolio and found it to contain excellent portrait photographs. She said many of her models were personal associates. She does outstanding work and captures not only memories but the personalities of her subjects. Ms. Chisolm also shots wedding, senior photos and family photos.
Melissa Stewart, a landscape photographer who searches for alphabetical letters in trees and other natural objects, was sharing a table with Mary Chisolm. I was quite impressed with Mrs. Stewart's work, given it resembles much of the earlier work I did when in high school and college while living in northern Alabama, hiking the Talladega National Forest near my home. The display Mrs. Stewart is holding of circular forms in nature and found objects echoes the figures and forms I often find myself capturing while hunting for photographs. Why just the other day I was out in my garden and took this picture of a cabbage plant.
I wanted to present these two photographs as they demonstrate a quality about color vs. black and white photography. When speaking with Mrs. Stewart she expressed her passion for black and white photography, one I could well understand having spent so many years shooting primarily black and white and developing and printing my own film in the traditional darkroom using chemicals and an enlarger. I wanted to show here that a cabbage plant, or anything else for that matter, can be just as interesting when photographed in color as in black and white. However, when shooting in black and white one tends to focus upon the figures, shapes and forms in nature which are in high contrast or which are brought into high contrast using dark room techniques or other photo manipulation techniques now available when working with digital images. Yet color still brings photographs to life in a way black and white photography does not ... as part of the fascination of black and white images is that they are unreal, captured, preserved, identifiably in the past, moments that are gone forever yet more so because their color was not captured and can only be imagined.
I asked Mrs. Stewart if she would be so kind as to take a photograph of me, which she did. Certainly she has a good eye as her photograph of me is much better than some of those I have tried to take of myself. Isn't it strange how when a photographer is looking through the view finder or lens the result is usually better than if a machine just takes a picture it has been programmed to take!
Now the question comes to mind, am I more interesting in color or in black and white? Am I more interesting in life or death? Are those who will come to know us more interested in the myth that we become after we are dead, because some color is lost ... some quality that is life is lost, which can never be touched, felt or known again? Are the images we leave behind more interesting than the real people we are when alive for the simple reason that anyone can relate in a fashion to a photograph, to what is just an image, whereas to relate to a living, breathing person is so much more difficult.
Ah, I never intended to end up dwelling upon such a metaphysical question in this article. Yet it seems no matter where I go or what I do, soon I'm am drawn into the great abyss of life, into that ocean that exist within all souls. You see, whereas there is a day of sunshine or storm, a simple picnic in the park, or a walk in the rain, I cannot pass without reflecting upon all that comes into the sphere of my view. Every now and then I stumble upon someone who shares a similar experience, who looks at the world in a similar way or who is traveling through life down some of the same roads I have traveled. That is what I felt when I was speaking with Mrs. Stewart about her landscape photography. We are both capturing images found in nature and the world around us, then endeavoring to relate and share our creative experiences with others. I am doing this with every picture that I take and every thought that I reflect. We are both searching for experiences and sharing those treasures we discover with others. It is a grand experience which can add much to both our own lives and those of everyone we touch. Yet to work one must come with open heart and mind that when you do happen to see beneath the vail that is the image we each reflect unto others, your soul might be touched as by the hand of God.
I digitally remastered Mrs. Stewart's photograph of me, taking out all the color, posterizing and cartoonizing it, such that all is left is a splattering of black and white. Which image reflect better the person that is alive and breathing? Both images are just momentary recordings and the living, breathing person that I am. Neither image wrote this article; this article was authored by a person who has a heart, mind and soul. Yet we can look at am image and relate to that image, be inspired by that image, be motivated and made to feel. Images can be very powerful. The entire advertising and entertainment industries depend to a great extent upon the power of images to bring forth within the viewer an emotional experience. Indeed, photographs are worth a thousand words! Yet no matter what figures, shapes or forms we find reflected or captured in the images we search for throughout our lives, none can replace the real objects, the real being, the real people, that we photograph. For each person that comes to an event like a picnic in the park, brings with them a whole life of unique experiences, and their experience is only that summation of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings they have come to know in their lives -- unless we have touched their lives with our own, they know us not. Unique we are, each and everyone of us. My picnic in the park differs from your picnic in the park ... as does my life from your life. Yet we each can share our experiences, so come to learn, grow and fulfill each other's lives.
I hope that in some small way the few images I have captured may add to your life, to brighten and to enlighten. Perhaps then this day I spent picnicking in the park will be not lost, but forever finding greater meaning in everyone's life who happens upon this muse. Enjoy, thus, your picnic in the park!
Put Your Ad HereThis space is available. If you would like to advertise on this page or any of our Popular Portals please contact Terry. See our economical Advertising Rates. |